Uploaded on 2020-06-02 by Gina Jaguttis

This picture (self-taken) shows the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (UAE). It has a total height of 829.8m and is the tallest structure and building in the world. The design is derived from Islamic architecture. The tower rises from the flat desert base in a spiral pattern, decreasing the cross section of the tower as going upwards. The spire is composed of structural steel. The cladding system consists of reflective glass panels, aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. To construct the concrete and steel foundation, a special material “Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC)” was used to support the total building weight. This stable concrete is made of desert sand and cement and creates a high-strength artificial stone. Due to the special mixture, less water (savings of 90%) is required to produce the concrete. The UHPC was developed in the US and adopted in several countries. Although the used sand in the UHPC is from the Sahara Desert, the other materials are sourced from different countries around the world. In conclusion, the Burj Khalifa contains several components of a globalized economy.