Malaysia's Twins: High-Rise, High Strength

by Rita Robison, Contributing Editor; Civil Engineering, 345 East 47th St., New York, NY 10017,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1994, Vol. 64, Issue 7, Pg. 63-65


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

U.S. firms, following the market for new skyscrapers to Asia, are involved in design and construction of twin office towers in the commercial heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that will capture the title of World's tallest. The 450 m towers, 7 m taller than Chicago's Sears Tower, have 88 numbered levels but are equal to 95 stories when mezzanines and extra-tall floors are considered. A skybridge connects them at the 41sth and 42nd levels and each will be topped by a sloping cap/pinnacle designed to symbolize Islamic principles. In addition to 6 million sq ft of office space designed for 60,000 persons, the project includes 1.5 million sq ft of retail and intertainment space in a six-story structure linking the towers, and parking for 7,000 vehicles in five levels underground. The structural system is entirely concrete that approaches 12,000 psi. Structural steel is used only in the pinnacle, the skybridge and the long-span floor beams. The designers took advantage of the mass and stiffness of high strength concrete and combined it with the advantages of a structural steel floor system. The building density is about 18 lb/ft3 (290 kg/m3). The towers are cylinders 46.2 m in diameter formed by 16 columns on a 23.3 m radius. The facade between columns alternates pointed projections with arcs, giving occupants unobstructed views through the glass and metal curtain wall on all sides.

Subject Headings: High-rise buildings | Structural systems | Floors | Underground structures | Structural steel | Steel structures | Space structures | Malaysia | Asia

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