If Humans Suddenly Vanished, How Long Would Burj Khalifa Stand Before Collapse?
This article examines the structural integrity of the Burj Khalifa and how it would deteriorate if human maintenance were to cease. It details the impact of Dubai's harsh climate on the building's materials, such as the glass facade and steel reinforcements.
Why it matters
It provides a fascinating look at the limits of modern engineering and the necessity of human intervention in maintaining large-scale infrastructure.
The Burj Khalifa supertall | Photo: Pelago By Phabian Muok Editor | Civil Engineer
Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands 828 metres tall and holds the title of the world’s tallest building. Completed in 2010, the tower features 163 floors and a distinctive Y-shaped plan that helps resist wind. It currently outranks every other completed structure. The planned Jeddah Central Tower in Saudi Arabia aims to surpass it with a height exceeding 1,000 metres once finished, and they are already past 100 floors after long periods of delays.
The Burj Khalifa uses a buttressed core system. A strong central concrete core connects to three wings that brace one another. High-strength concrete and steel reinforcement carry the enormous loads from height and wind.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in