CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING PROJECT

TAIPEI 101

TOMESCU IOANA-CLAUDIA

FILS III AMANAT, GROUP 1

Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, ranked officially as the world’s tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. In July 2011, the building was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest award in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and became the tallest and largest green building in the world.

The building was designed by C.Y. Lee & partners and constructed primarily by KTRT Joint

Venture. The tower has served as an icon of modern Taiwan ever since its opening, and received

the 2004 Emporis Skyscraper Award. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 features prominently

in international New Year's Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel

literature and international media.

.It was hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World by Newsweek magazine in 2006 and as one of the Seven Wonders of Engineering by The Discovery Channel in 2005.

Taipei 101 is owned by the Taipei Financial Center Corporation (TFCC) and managed by the

International division of Urban Retail Properties Corporation based in Chicago. It comprises 101

floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The number “101” represents not only the

number of floors, but also the mailing code of Taipei’s international business district. The

building was architecturally created as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian

tradition. Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements and gives

them modern treatments. It reflects the traditional Chinese pagoda, with a soaring podium base,

eight tiers of eight stories (eight is considered a number representing prosperous growth in

China), narrow pinnacle tower, and a spire. The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and

earthquakes with the help of an 18 ft., 882-ton ball-shaped damper at the top that counteracts

swaying motions. A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of

fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs.

Upon its completion Taipei 101 claimed the official records for:

Ground to highest architectural structure (spire): 509.2 meters. Previously held by the PETRONAS Towers 452 m. Ground to roof: 449.2 m. (formerly held by the Willis Tower 442 m).

Ground to highest occupied floor: 439.2 m. formerly held by the Willis Tower 412.4 m. Fastest ascending elevator speed: designed to be 1010 meters per minute, 16.83 m/s

(60.6 km/h). Now it has been succeeded by Burj Khalifa's elevator whose speed of ascending is 18 m/s (64 km/h).

Largest countdown clock: Displayed on New Year's Eve. Tallest sundial.

ConceptionThe greatest challenge in designing a statement building is not the construction technology involved, but how the building reflects the culture in which it functions. The spirit of architecture

lies in the balance between local culture and internationalism.

In the West, a tall building demands respect and attention from the spectators. To the Asians, it symbolizes a broader understanding and anticipation to things to come: we “climb” in order to “see further”.

 The segmented, subtly slanted exterior reduces the effects of wind and emergencies to mega-buildings. 8 floors comprise an independent section, reducing street-level wind caused by high-rise, a design based on the Chinese lucky number “8”. It is a homonym for prosperity in Chinese, and the 8 sections of the structure are designed to create rhythm in symmetry, introducing a new style for skyscrapers. Plants are laid out to ensure pedestrian safety and comfort. The building is designed to resemble a growing bamboo, a symbol of everlasting strength in Chinese culture.

Structural design

“A state-of-the art structural system.”-THORNTON-TOMASETTI, U.S.A.

The Tower is built on 380 concrete piles, sunk 80 meters into the ground. The world’s largest passive tuned mass wind damper, suspended from level 92 down to level 88, helps to ensure stability and comfort. Massive Steel Outrigger Trusses span between the columns on every eight floors. 36 columns provide vertical support, including eight mega columns around the perimeter. The structure is reinforced by a Moment Frame System linking the columns on all floors.

Toshiba, Japan said about the innovative vertical transportation that it was: “A comfortable, convenient, rapid, intelligent and safe transportation network to meet or exceed tenant and owner requirements.”

Wind Damper

Thornton-Tomasetti Engineers along with Evergreen Consulting Engineering designed a 660 tones steel pendulum that serves as a tuned mass damper, at a cost of NT$132 million (US$4 million). Suspended from the 92nd to the 87th floor, the pendulum sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong gusts. Its sphere, the largest damper sphere in the world, consists of 41 circular steel plates, each with a height of 125 mm being welded together to form a 5.5 m diameter sphere. Another two tuned mass dampers, each weighing 6 tonnes, sit at the tip of the spire. These prevent damage to the structure due to strong wind loads.

Taipei 101 is designed to withstand the typhoon winds and earthquake tremors common in its area of the Asia-Pacific. There is a fault line just 660 feet from this tower, but the designers aren't worried about it, saying it hasn't been active in 45,000 years. Planners aimed for a structure that could withstand gale winds of 60 m/s (216 km/h) and the strongest earthquakes likely to occur in a 2,500 year cycle.

Skyscrapers must be flexible in strong winds yet remain rigid enough to prevent large sideways movement (lateral drift). Flexibility prevents structural damage while resistance ensures comfort for the occupants and protection of glass, curtain walls and other features. Most designs achieve the necessary strength by enlarging critical structural elements such as bracing. The extraordinary height of Taipei 101 combined with the demands of its environment called for additional innovations. The design achieves both strength and flexibility for the tower through the use of high-performance steel construction. Thirty-six columns support Taipei 101, including eight "mega-columns" packed with 69 MPa concrete. Every eight floors, outrigger trusses connect the columns in the building's core to those on the exterior.

These features combined with the solidity of its foundation make Taipei 101 one of the most stable buildings ever constructed. The foundation is reinforced by 380 piles driven 80 m into the ground, extending as far as 30 m into the bedrock. Each pile is 1.5 m in diameter and can bear a load of 1,000–1,320 tonnes The stability of the design became evident during construction when, on March 31, 2002, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Taipei. The tremor was strong enough to topple two construction cranes from the 56th floor, then the highest. Five people died in the accident, but an inspection showed no structural damage to the building, and construction soon resumed.

Structural Facade

Taipei 101's characteristic blue-green glass curtain walls are double paned and glazed, offer heat and UV protection sufficient to block external heat by 50 percent, and can sustain impacts of 7 tonnes. The facade system of glass and aluminum panels installed into inclined moment-resisting lattices contributes to overall lateral rigidity by tying back to the mega-columns with one-story high trusses and at every eighth floor. This facade system is therefore able to withstand up to 95mm of seismic lateral displacements without damage.

The original corners of the façade was tested at RWDI in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and revealed an alarming vortex that formed during a 3s 105 mph winds at a height of 10 meters (a 100-year-storm) simulation. This was equivalent to the lateral tower sway rate causing large crosswind oscillations. A double chamfered step design was found to dramatically reduce this crosswind oscillation resulting in Taipei 101’s unique “double stair step” corner façade.

Architect C.Y. Lee also used extensive façade elements to represent the symbolic identity he pursued. These façade elements included the green tinted glass for the indigenous slender bamboo look, eight upper outwards inclined tiers of pagoda each with eight floors, A Ruyi and a money box symbol between the two façade sections among others.

Taipei 101's own roof and façade recycled water system meets 20–30 percent of the building's water needs. Upgrades are currently under way to make Taipei 101 "the world's tallest green building" by LEED standards by summer 2011.

Ruyi figure over a Taipei 101 entrance

Curled ruyi figures appear throughout the structure as a design motif. The ruyi is an ancient symbol associated with heavenly clouds. It connotes healing, protection and fulfillment. It appears in celebrations of the attainment of new career heights. Each ruyi ornament on the exterior of the Taipei 101 tower stands at least 8 m tall. The sweeping curved roof of the adjoining mall culminates in a colossal ruyi that shades pedestrians. Though the shape of each ruyi at Taipei 101 is traditional, its metallic interpretation is plainly modern.

At night the bright yellow gleam from its pinnacle casts Taipei 101 in the role of a candle or torch upholding the ideals of liberty and welcome. From 6:00 to 10:00 each evening the tower's lights displays one of seven colours in the spectrum. The colours coincide with the days of the week:

Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday ThursdayFriday

Saturday Sunday

Color

Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet

The cycle through the spectrum connects the tower with the rich symbolism of rainbows as bridges linking earth to sky and earth's peoples to one another.

Millennium Park adjoins Taipei 101 on the east and connects the landmark further with the symbolism of time. The design of the circular park allows it to double as the face of a sundial. The

tower itself casts the shadow to indicate afternoon hours for the building's occupants. The park's design is echoed in a clock that stands at its entrance. The clock runs on energy drawn from the building's wind shear.

Feng shui fountain outside Taipei 101

Important dates in the planning and construction of Taipei 101 include the following:

Date Event

October 20, 1997

Development and operation rights agreement signed with Taipei City government.

January 13, 1999 Ground-breaking ceremony.

June 7, 2000 First tower column erected.

April 13, 2001 Design change to 509.2 m height approved by Taipei City government.

June 13, 2001 Taipei 101 Mall topped out.

August 10, 2001 Construction license awarded for 101 stories.

May 13, 2003 Taipei 101 Mall obtains occupancy permit.

July 1, 2003 Taipei 101 Tower roof completed.

October 17,2003 Pinnacle placed.

November 14, 2003

Taipei 101 Mall opens.

April 15, 2004Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) certifies Taipei 101 as world's tallest building.

November 12, 2004

Tower obtains occupancy permit.

December 31, 2004

Tower opens to the public.

January 1, 2005 First New Year fireworks show begins at midnight.

BUILDING FRAME

Materials

60ksi Steel

10,000 psi Concrete

Systems

Outrigger Trusses

Moment Frames

Belt Trusses

Lateral Load Resistance

Braced Moment Frames in the building’s core

Outrigger from core to perimeter

Perimeter Moment Frames

Shear walls

Basement and first 8 floors

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

 380 piles with 3 inch concrete slab.

Mega columns- 8 cm thick steel & 10,000 psi concrete infill to provide for overturning.

Walls - 5 & 7 degree slope.

106,000 tons of steel, grade 60- 25% stronger.

6 cranes on site – steel placement.

Electrical & Mechanical.

Curtain wall placement.

CHALLENGES FACED

Taipei being a coastal city the problems present are:

Weak soil conditions (The structures tend to sink).

Typhoon winds (High lateral displacement tends to topple structures).

Large potential earthquakes (Generates shear forces).

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

Braced core with belt trusses.

FOUNDATION

The building is a pile through clay rich soil to bedrock 40 – 60 m below.

The plies are topped by a foundation slab which is 3m thick at the edges and up to 5m thick

under the largest of columns.

There are a total of 380 1.5m dia. Tower piles.

COLUMN SYSTEM

Gravity loads are carried vertically by a variety of columns.

Within the core, sixteen columns are located at the crossing points of four lines of bracing in

each direction.

The columns are box sections constructed of steel plates, filled with concrete for added

strength as well as stiffness till the 62nd floor.

On the perimeter, up to the 26th floor, each of the four building faces has two

‘supercolumns,’ two ‘sub-super-columns,’ and two corner columns.

Each face of the perimeter above the 26th floor has the two ‘super-columns’ continue

upward.

The ‘super-columns’ and ‘sub-super-columns’ are steel box sections, filled with 10,000 psi

(M70) high performance concrete on lower floors for strength and stiffness up to the 62nd

floor.

TYPICAL PLAN UP TO 26TH STOREY

TYPICAL PLAN FROM 27TH TO 91ST STOREY

LATERAL LOADING SYSTEM

For additional core stiffness, the lowest floors from basement to the 8th floor have concrete shear walls cast between core columns in addition to diagonal braces.

The most of the lateral loads will be resisted by a combination of braced cores, cantilevers

from the core to the perimeter, the super columns and the Special moment resisting frame

(SMRF).

The cantilevers (horizontal trussed from the core to the perimeter) occur at 11 levels in the

structure. 5 of them are double storey high and the rest single storey.

16 of these members occur on each of such floors.

The balance of perimeter framing is a sloping Special Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF), a

rigidly-connected grid of stiff beams and H shape columns which follows the tower’s

exterior wall slope down each 8 story module.

At each setback level, gravity load is transferred to ‘super-columns’ through a story-high

diagonalized truss in the plane of the SMRF.

Above the 26th floor, only two exterior super-columns continue to rise up to the 91st floor,

so the SMRF consists of 600 mm deep steel wide flange beams and columns, with columns

sized to be significantly stronger than beams for stability in the event of beam yielding.

Each 7-story of SMRF is carried by a story-high truss to transfer gravity and cantilever

forces to the super-columns, and to handle the greater story stiffness of the core at cantilever

floors.FLOOR SLAB (STRUCTURAL DIAPHRAGMS)

Slabs are composite in nature and are typically 13.5 cms thick.CORE

Within the core, sixteen columns are located at the crossing points of four lines of bracing in

each direction.DAMPING SYSTEMS

The main objective of such a system is to supplement the structures damping to dissipate

energy and to control undesired structural vibrations.

A common approach is to add friction or viscous damping to the joints of the buildings to

stabilize the structural vibration.

A large number of dampers may be needed in order to achieve effective damping when the

movements of the joints are not sufficient to contribute to energy absorption.ENERGY SINK DAMPING SYSTEMS

These are one of the latest damping systems available - called Tuned Mass Damper.

These take excess energy away from the primary structure.

TUNED MASS DAMPERS

A TMD is a passive damping system, which consists of a spring, a viscous damping device,

and a secondary mass attached to the vibrating structure.

By varying the characteristics of the TMD system, an opportunity is given to control the

vibration of the primary structure and to dissipate energy in the viscous element of the

TMD.TMD USED IN TAIPEI 101

The Taipei 101 uses a 800 ton TMD which occupy 5 of its upper floors (87 – 91).

The ball is assembled on site in layers of 12.5-cm-thick steel plate. It is welded to a steel

cradle suspended from level 92 by 3” cables, in 4 sets of 2 each.

Eight primary hydraulic pistons, each about 2 m long, grip the cradle to dissipate dynamic

energy as heat.

A roughly 60-cm-dia pin projecting from the underside of the ball limits its movement to

about 1 m even during times of the strongest lateral forces.

The 60m high spire at the top has 2 smaller ‘flat’ dampers to support it.

STRUCTURAL INNOVATIONS IN OTHER TAIPEI BUIDINGS

The structural systems used in Taipei 101 draw a lot from other buildings in the Taipei

region.

They can generally be classified into 2 typesa) Hysteretic Dampers- Triangular Added stiffness and damping damper (TADAS)- Reinforced ADAS damper (RADAS)- Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB)- Low Yield Steel Shear Panel (LYSSP)

b) Velocity Dampers- Visco - Elastic dampers (VE)

- Viscous Dampers (VD)- Viscous Damping Walls (VDW)

Currently, there have been more applications using viscous dampers than other velocity type

dampers.

This may be due to the facts that the design procedure for implementing the viscous damper

is relatively simpler and the analytical model is available in the popular computational tools

such as SAP2000 and ETABS.

   Power Supply System From Hulin and Shih Mao sub-stations, via separate 22.8KV cables, to High Voltage sub-stations located on Level B2. Within the Tower, separate dual risers distribute power to the mechanical floors. Each office floor and mechanical floor is connected to dual power distribution room, equipped with two transformers, which minimize the risk of connection failure. Battery fed uninterrupted power supply that can control the security systems and remain in operation in case of power failure. Eight diesel powered generators providing a total of 16.000 KW for continuous supply of electricity. Emergency generators provide about 70% of the Tower tenants’ power consumption needs. Lightning rods are installed at the top of tower and at four corners of the balcony of each mechanical floor to avoid lightning risk.

Elevator systemObservation Elevators

2 single-deck, 1,600 kg (24 persons) per deck2004 Guinness Record fastest elevators in the world with aerodynamic, with aerodynamic pressure controlled cabs, ascend at 1,010 m/min.Passenger Elevators

‧ 10 double-deck, 2,040 kg (31 persons) per deck shuttle elevators  serving the transfer floors

‧ 24 double-deck, 1,350 kg (20 persons) per deck, for access within   6 zone)

‧ 3 single-deck (various capacities)Service Elevators

3 single-deck (2×2,040 kg, 1×4,800 kg)Car Park Elevators

6 single-deck, 1,600 kg to tower lobby

VAC system

The VAC system consists of the chiller, the glycol chiller and the ice storage tank.

VAC system operation:The chiller produces chilled water for nighttime air conditioning.The glycol chiller precools the glycol solution, which passes through the ice storage tank, to supply daytime air conditioning.Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes per floor.Individual control provides ability to vary temperature and wind speed.Separate 24-hour chilled water supply for computer rooms provided upon request.

VAC supply:To ensure the optimum working environment, the design of the VAV system is based on the standards of other world class architectures, the local weather patterns and future operating strategies.

Fire Protection System

Fire Prevention Non-flammable materials specified for use for base building and fit-out work throughout building. The tenants’ interior fit-out work must also use non-flammable materials. Firewalls, shutters and protective wall fillings divide building into discrete fire zones. Air conditioning automatically cut off where smoke detected.

Fire Detection Addressable detectors distributed throughout building continuously take air samples to detect unusual fog. CCTV cameras in tower are also used for fire monitoring.

Fire Fighting Automatic sprinkler system throughout building. Basement and mechanical floor are equipped with water tanks. The mechanical floor water tank is driven by gravity so that power failure does not interrupt water supply. Each floor is equipped with fire hydrants and fire extinguishers, and parking lot uses foam fire extinguishers. Transformer and power generator rooms are protected by CO2 and FM-200 gases.

Evacuation Pressurized corridors on two sides of each floor and pressurized staircases provide emergency evacuation routes. Two fireproof refuge rooms on each mechanical floor on every 8 levels, which are connected by an outdoor refuge balcony, except for the refuge rooms on 25F. The refuge rooms are equipped with CCTV monitor, emergency phone, water and emergency kit. Office floors and key escape routes are protected by smoke exhaust system. Fireman’s lifts serve from basement to the top floor.

Security System

Security System Fully computerized access control system, comprising readers throughout building. Controls access to building entrances, including car park, lobby turnstiles, elevators, and office floor fire escape doors (for re-entering) CCTV cameras and fiber optic cables ensure efficient transmission of security information. Constant communication and connection with city’s agencies such as Xinyi Police Bureau and Fire Bureau. International security guard company provides the building with 24 hour guarding and patrolling.

VAKS, Visitor Access Kiosk System 1F Lobby has installed 8 Visitor Access Kiosks. Tenants’ visitors may contact tenants directly through this system to receive the visitor access cards. The visitors need not leave any identity documents to ensure privacy. Visitor Access Kiosk System records visitors image and could be provided to tenants.

Building Management System

The Energy Management and Control System(EMCS) The Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) tests and manages all building, fire and life & safety systems. In addition to occupier safety, minimizing the impact on the environment is a primary objective. The structure is already designed to be energy-efficient, with double-pane windows blocking external heat by 50% and recycled water meeting 20–30% of the building's needs.

The Security System The Security System both controls access to the Tower and monitors the safety of all equipment and occupants, using multiple tools including 420 CCTV cameras and access card readers at all key points of ingress and circulation. The Visitor Access Kiosks (VAKS) issue temporary access cards to authorized visitors and keep photographic records.

Telecommunication System

Chunghwa Telecom has installed the most advanced integrated telecommunications infrastructure. Two fiber-optic backbones, from separate Chunghwa Telecom central stations, enter the building at different points. Internal distribution from the Main Distribution Frames (MDFs) located on the 17th and 66th floors is via separate 10 Gbps backbones to an Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) located on each office floor.

To provide further telecoms redundancy, the Tower is equipped with three alternative means of communication:MicrowaveFree Space OpticsSatellite (to two earth-stations)

The whole building is mobile accessible, including elevators and basements. The public areas are a wireless environment

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_101

http://www.emporis.com/building/taipei101-taipei-taiwan

http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/623.php

http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies

Fun Facts:

December 25, 2004: The daredevil known as "Spiderman" climbed the outside of the building. Alain Robert scaled the building as a publicity stunt during the building's official opening week. He is normally arrested for pulling such stunts illegally, but this time he was recruited. He also normally doesn't have any safety gear. This time he had a rope.

November 20, 2005: An Australian man, Paul Crake, became the first person to win a race up the stairs to the top of Taipei 101. He completed the run in ten minutes, 29 seconds.

July 21, 2007: The Burj Dubai in the United Arab Emirates surpassed this building as the tallest in the world.