Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tallest building in world from 1998 to 2004.
Location: KLLC, Jalan Ampang of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Type: Commercial, Tourist attraction
Construction was started on 1st march 1993 & completed on 1st march 1996
Cost: US$ 1.6 billion
Owner: KLLC holdings
Number of storey: 88 (+ 4 basement floors)
Total height: 451.9m (architectural) 378.6m (roof)
Lifts/Elevators: 78
Floor Area: 395000m Sq
Material: Concrete, Steel
Architect: Cesar Pelli
Structural Engineer: Thornton Thormaseti
Project:
- Each tower: 88 storeys
- Tower 1: Petronas head quarters
- Tower 2: Local and international private, Tenants, Klcc holdings
- Smaller circular bustle or annex added to each tower rising 44 storey
- Towers connected by Sky Bridge at 41st & 42nd storey
- Sky Bridge: centre-line span: 58.44 metres; width, 5.29 metres, Height, 9.45 metres
- Finished ceiling height: 2.65 metres
- Height of pinnacles: 73.5 – 75 metres
- Floor area varies as tower ascends
- Facilities: 3 level concert hall, 6 storey retail and Entertainment Park, Petroleum research centre, 4 storey basement parking etc.
Columns:
- Columns cast in reusable steel forms
- Finely finished columns open to view at most of the floors
- 16 tower column- vary along hight in dia. 2.4m to 1.4m dia
- Concrete varied from M80 to M30 in 3 steps, 12 bustle columns – 1.4m to 1m
- Setbacks at 60, 73 and 82, Sloping columns over 3 story heights
- Above floor 84 – high slope – steel column used to avoid complication
Beams:
- Tapered ring beams all around
- Depth 1.15m at column to 725mm at flat zone
- Span variation due to column changes and set backs
- Beam grade matches column grade to simplify pumping
Sky Bridge:
- Double Deck Bridge spanning 58.4m
- Connects two tower at sky lobby elevator transfer station on floor 41 and 42
- Easy circulation b/w upper tower floors
- Minimize lift usage
- Reduces fire exit requirement
- Two hinged arch supports the span Self centering action from restrain at arch crown and spherical pin at supports
Pinnacle:
- Each tower crowned by – 73m tapering top
- Accommodates – building maintenance machine, aviation lighting and lighting protection
- Due to steep sloping column
- Concrete construction impractical
- Steel used throughout
- Lower pinnacle- 8 structural steel frames
- Upper pinnacle – single mast of tapering circular cross section
Conclusion:
- Mixed construction for cost and usability benefit
- Use of HPC – reasonable sections, low cost, more space
- Concrete construction- simple equipment’s less skill, easy connection
- Concrete – benefits wind behavior –inherent stiffness and damping
- Steel – fast and flexible erection- permits last minute change
- Wind excitation –beneficial for–size 55mm to 3m
