Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, located in Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing at 828 meters tall with 163 floors, it is a masterpiece that showcases a harmonious blend of architecture, art, science, and nature. Since its opening in 2010, it has attracted countless tourists from around the globe, becoming an iconic symbol and source of pride for Dubai.

Burj Khalifa, Pride of the World's Tallest Building

Burj Khalifa was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), an American architectural and structural engineering firm, and constructed by Samsung C&T Corporation of South Korea. Adrian Smith was responsible for the architectural design, while Bill Baker oversaw the structural design.

The building's shape is inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, also known as the spider lily. It features a Y-shaped cross-section and a spiral pattern. This design minimizes wind effects, maximizes views, and ensures structural stability.

Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use complex with a variety of purposes and functions. It includes offices, residences, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, lounges, observation decks, museums, and galleries. Furthermore, the building's exterior and interior showcase decorations and artworks reflecting Arab culture and history. Burj Khalifa embodies Dubai's diversity and sophistication.

Although commonly known as Burj Khalifa, it was officially standardized as Burj Khalifa in 2010 by the government and the Foreign Language Deliberation Committee.

Burj Khalifa's Structure

The structure of Burj Khalifa is a combination of reinforced concrete and steel. The reinforced concrete portion extends up to 584 meters, while the steel structure forms a 244-meter spire. The building's total weight is approximately 500,000 tons.

The reinforced concrete structure utilizes a special method called the Buttressed Core system. It involves a hexagonal core structure at the building's center, connected to walls and columns in the building's wings, acting as a single structural unit. This design resists torsion and shear, effectively disperses wind loads, and increases the building's section's second moment of area.

The steel structure is the spire located at the top of the building, which houses communication equipment and spaces for visitors. The spire is 244 meters tall and weighs about 4,000 tons. It is divided into four sections, each hoisted and installed using cranes from the ground. The top of the spire features a metal sphere adorned with the Dubai flag.

The structure of Burj Khalifa was optimized through various wind tunnel tests and computer simulations. The building's orientation was determined considering the direction where strong winds are most frequent throughout the year. The building's cross-section and patterns were designed to prevent the formation of constant eddies by the wind. This helps reduce building sway and horizontal forces. The building can withstand wind loads of up to 240 km/h, with the maximum displacement at the top limited to 1.5 meters.

How to Visit Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions, attracting millions of visitors every year. The entrance fee for adults is 179 AED. Burj Khalifa is open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, 365 days a year. (Weekends have different hours, so please check the website below.)

Burj Khalifa is located in the heart of Dubai, making it easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest metro station is Dubai Mall Station, and buses 27, 29, F13, F16, F19A, and F19B also stop nearby.

Tips for Visiting Burj Khalifa

It's important to note that you can't visit the entire building; only certain floors are accessible. The most popular floors are the observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors, as well as The Lounge, Burj Khalifa on the 148th floor. The observation decks offer stunning views of Dubai, while The Lounge provides premium services and refreshments.

Burj Khalifa is a structure that can be admired not only from the inside but also from the outside.

In front of the building, on an artificial lake, is the Dubai Fountain, the world's largest choreographed fountain system. Every evening, the fountain presents a spectacular display of water, music, and lights. Watching the Dubai Fountain is free, and performances take place every 30 minutes.

Also on the building's exterior is the world's largest LED screen. This screen covers the front of the building and illuminates in various colors and patterns. The LED screen displays different content depending on special occasions or events.

In 2018, the screen displayed the traditional New Zealand dance, the haka. In 2019, it featured the Chinese traditional lion dance. In 2020, it displayed a message of gratitude to healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burj Khalifa Official Website

www.burjkhalifa.ae

Fun Facts about Burj Khalifa

● Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, opened in 2010, but underwent several test runs beforehand. On September 9, 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, visited the building. On December 4, 2009, contestants from the popular American TV show, The Amazing Race, visited the building. The grand opening ceremony took place on January 4, 2010, which also happened to be Dubai's Accession Day.

● Burj Khalifa appeared in the 2011 American action film, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The film features Tom Cruise scaling and jumping off the exterior of Burj Khalifa. This scene was filmed on location at Burj Khalifa, and Tom Cruise performed the stunts himself without a stuntman. The building was closed for 23 days for filming.

● Burj Khalifa featured in the 2014 Dubai Tennis Championships, a well-known sporting event in Dubai. The film shows tennis players Novak Djokovic and Andrea Petkovic playing tennis on The Lounge, Burj Khalifa on the 148th floor. This scene was filmed at Burj Khalifa, and the players overcame their fear of heights to enjoy the game.

● In 2018, a popular Dubai rapper, Mr. T, posted a video on Instagram of himself rapping from the top of Burj Khalifa. Mr. T climbed to the spire of Burj Khalifa and showcased his rap against the backdrop of Dubai's skyline. This video went viral on the internet, and Mr. T faced criticism for climbing the spire without Burj Khalifa's permission.