Weekly Progress

Week 1: Project Overview and Topic Selection

4/2/13

The goal of this week's lab was to both be introduced to the overall project guidelines and procedures, as well as given our individual topic for the course. The project consists of a detailed investigation of a magnificent structure, including the socioeconomic conditions under which the structure was planned and built, the specifics of the structure (materials, design, etc.) and what makes the structure magnificent. The  categories included tallest building, tallest bridge, longest bridge, largest dam, largest dome, longest tunnel, and a very old structure.  The group were instructed to research the structure(s) that fall into these categories, which were then approved by the advisors. Group 01 was assigned "tallest building," i.e. the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Group 01 immediately began work on the project, assigning tasks to individual members to meet the week 2 deliverables requirement. This included a design report, a 5 minute presentation, and a Blogger website which will act as both the lab notebook and running tutorial of how to replicate the group's work. The design report is a more detailed picture of what the group looks to accomplish including a timeline covering the major tasks to be completed, an estimated cost of materials, and the predicted obstacles the group will face.

Week 2: Design Proposal, Project Development, and Task Assessment

4/16/13

During week one, group 01 prepared a small powerpoint presentation to introduce the rest of the ENGR 103 groups to the selected topic; the Burj Khalifa. The powerpoint file can be downloaded on the resources page. Each group was responsible for a similar presentation, and they served two purposes; first to see and learn about the magnificent structures other groups are researching, and secondly to pose and receive questions about each group's structure which can be used as research subtopics. Group 01 found the questions posed by the course instructors to be particularly useful, including questions about the foundation of the Burj Khalifa, which inevitably will be a major discussion point in the final report.

Week 2 also served as an opportunity to begin creating a specialized graph for multihand projects called a Gantt chart. This chart takes into account each major task that must be completed in a project, as well as the expected duration of each task. It also maps which tasks can be completed concurrently and which must wait until previous tasks are completed. Group 01's Gantt chart can be downloaded from the resources page.

The group was also responsible for a project report which briefly detailed the expected direction and form the final report would take. In addition to similar information found in the powerpoint presentation, it also included a plan for the scale model with materials to be used and costs of those materials. That report can be found on the resources page as well.

Week 3: Research Collection and Model Design Refining

4/21/13

The group, now familiarized with the direction they wish to take the project, began to collect together all prior research, and further dispense research assignments to the group members. Each member was given a specific topic to investigate and return week 4 with as much valuable information as possible.

Joe was assigned to investigate the foundational structures of the Burj Khalifa. This includes not only the design of the foundation, but also the construction processes and equipment. The following is one of many pictures used as reference for the foundation of the building:

 This image shows both the foundation piles and concrete base that make up the foundation for the Burj Khalifa. There is a total of 192 piles, each of which are 50m long and 1.5m in diameter. The piles were bored into the ground with specialized machinery and are designed to support the immense load of the building, as well as resist shifting of Dubai's sandy terrain. As shown, the idea is to dig down until bedrock is found, which doesn't shift like sand or dirt would. Upon those piles sits approx. 20m worth of concrete slab, bringing the foundation up to ground level.

Arthur began work on the inner structures of the Burj Khalifa, especially the core of the building. The framework for this core can also be seen in the image as the hexagonal shape in the middle. That base will extend well up into the building, as the sides of the Burj slowly close in around it.

A larger version of this image is available for download on the resources page. The concrete core extends up to the 155th floor, labeled "end of concrete structure" on the image. This core, as well as the foundation, are what keep the Burj Khalifa standing even in the volatile climate of Dubai.

Brendan was given the task of planning out the CAD design. Along with a detailed report of the structure and a scale model, a CAD design is to be made showing multiple layers of the building including the foundation, concrete core, metal structures in the building, and facade. The group will further discuss the details of this deliverable in week 4.

Week 4 will be another research week, building on the information gathered by the group in the past three weeks.

Week 4: Continued Research and Computer Aided Drafting

4/28/13

As the research on the foundation came to a close, attention shifted to the superstructure.  The buttressed core's role in defending the structure's reliability was studied in depth this week.  To protect the building from the intense wind patterns of the United Arab Emirates, the buttressed core transferred the torque from the upper sections of the building one or two of the three "legs" at the base of the structure.  The unique 3-prong radial shape of the building also contributed to the structural reliability in the face of strong wind force, illustrated below in the picture.

As the building gets taller, the width decreases, which eliminates a lot of the swaying involved with supertall skyscrapers.  Besides the core, other superstructural elements were studied, including the concrete reinforced pillars dotting the circumference of the building.

As the CAD drafting began last week, it became clear drafting the building in AutoCAD would be complicated.  When we met in class that week, we decided it would be beneficial to change the software used to Google Sketchup, which would make it easier to draw surfaces.  The rest of the week was spent researching Sketchup's use to prepare to begin drafting in the following week.  The tutorials used are posted in the "Background" section and are from Google's website.

Week 5: Focus on Drafting and Loading
4/28/13

This week was spent on the CAD models and the transmission of loads from the superstructure to the foundation.  The loading associated with the torque applied from wind forces was already studied for it effect on the superstructure.  This week, it was taken one step further.  As the horizontal load was transmitted from the buttressed core to one or two of the "legs," the force was then redirected downward into the foundation pillars directly connected to those legs.  This is illustrated below in the picture.  (A expandable image can be found in the "Resources" section).

 The static loads in Burj Khalifa are transmitted in a similar way.  Radiating from the buttressed core are reinforced walls that go from the core out to the ends of the legs.  Each floor's weight is transmitted through these walls and the pillars surrounding the outside of the building.  These run straight down to the foundation where the forces are directed onto the pillars driven deep into the ground.  A cross section of a floor is given below.

This week was also spent on beginning CAD drafting.  In this computer model, all aspects of the building will be shown in layers.  The buttressed core, foundation, as well as the outer shell of the building will be represented using Google Sketchup.  The progress made through week 5 is shown below.  Currently, the foundation and base are completed, and the first level, which will be the basis for subsequent levels, is nearly complete.



Week 6: CAD, Scale Model, and Draft Final Report

5/07/13

Each member of Group 3 tackled a different task this week:

Arthur continued his work in Google SketchUp on the CAD design of the Burj Khalifa. SketchUp is proving to be a more than worthy application for the requirements of the project, despite its less than professional reputation. It is excellent for showing the general idea of a structure, especially when exact finite dimensions are unknown, which is exactly what group 3 needs for this deliverable.  



 

These two images show the progress on the CAD design as well as the various load schemes utilized in the design of the Burj Khalifa. Note that the dimensions in the design are not necessarily to scale of the actual building, but still give an excellent representation of the buildings inner and outer structure.

Arthur expects to have the CAD design completed and ready for presentation by week 7, well ahead of schedule.

Joe began work conceptualizing and designing the scale model to be built and presented. Again, this model is not meant to be a exact replica of the building scaled down, but rather a concrete (no pun intended) representation of the general structures of the Burj. 

The group collectively decided on a multi-faced construction; one side of the tower will show the facade of the building, while the other two sides will show the inner core and load systems. They plan to visit a local crafts store to acquire material and begin construction by week 8.  

Brendan meanwhile started perhaps the most important task this week; the assembly of the draft final report to be turned in Week 7. This report is a mock report that will directly reflect what will be presented by the group come week 10. It will include multiple research topics such as the aesthetics of the building, construction techniques, and socioeconomic climate of the Burj Khalifa's home, Dubai. Each member ultimately will contribute their own parts to the draft. 

The team is putting high value in this report, because it will decide the direction and overall form the final presentation will take. Special attention has been given to the grading rubric provided by the T.A. in order to create the most useful draft possible. 

Week 7: CAD Design Finalization, Scale Model Materials, and Final Presentation

5/14/13

After compiling the draft final report in week 6, the group feels much more prepared to tackle the est. 15 min presentation to delivered by week 10. It was decided that each member of the group would handle their respective responsibilities from the draft final, and apply them to the final presentation. Joe would be writing up information on the foundational structures, as well as the various construction techniques used to erect the Burj. Brendan's in charge of the Emirati climate, general information, and aesthetics and special features. Arthur will take care of the historical information and a detailed analysis of the Burj Khalifa's design.

The CAD design was completed by Arthur this week. It has multiple layers roughly detailing the different structures inside the building, each of which can be viewed individually or in combination with another layer. The drawing is not necessarily to scale of the actual Burj Khalifa, but with the assistance of Google Sketch Up, Arthur was able to create a very realistic and user friendly conceptualization of the building. 

Manufacturing of the scale model is set to begin week 8, and as such the group will be purchasing materials. The group will travel to Blick Art Supplies in center city to acquire the necessary pieces. As shown in the image in week 6 entry, the scale model will be made of foam, balsa wood, and plastic rods. Construction will begin week 8, continuing through week 9. It will primarily be built on Drexel campus.

Week 8: Scale Model Construction, Final Report Feedback, and Presentation Preparation
5/21/13

This week, grader feedback was given with respect to the final report draft.  The group has begun to edit the report, tightening up any research based loose ends, and compiling the remaining pieces for the final report.

The last deliverable that is yet to be completed is the scale model conceived in Week 7 above.  All the materials have been acquired and construction began this week.  As of 5/26/13, the base of the model has been completed and we have begun work on the model of the superstructure.  We originally intended to make the superstructure model out of foam, but early work with the material proved challenging, so we are considering switching to model clay to construct the outside.  We still plan to use the balsa wood to make the buttress for the core.

Finally, this week was primarily spent composing the slide show for the group presentation.  In Week 9, mock presentations will be held to practice for the Week 10 graded presentation.  We decided early on that each member's part of the presentation will be based on their subjects of research: Brenden (climate, aesthetics, special features) Joe (Foundation System and Construction Practices) and Arthur (Structural Analysis and history).

Week 9: Presentation Preparation, Final Report, Scale Model
5/28/13

In class this week, mock presentations were conducted.  Feedback from our advisor has made us reconsider some aspects to our research.  Points raised included the cost/benefit analysis on the economy of Dubai and how the self ascending cranes were brought back down.  It was also suggested to stay concise and not to repeat information.  Our original presentation did have some overlap which will be fixed prior to the presentation on June 4th.  Our week 9 presentation slides can be found in the "resources" tab.

This week also saw the completion of the scale model.  At 1/2000 scale, it was constructed between May 28th and June 2nd.  It was made from foam board, wood, modeling clay, paint, and plastic rods.  The final model is given below.

 

 

Finally, the final report editing was conducted during this week for submittal on June 4th.  A copy of the final report documenting all activities and research is available under the resources tab.

Week 10: The Presentation

The beginning of week 10 has been spent on presentation preparation.  The presentation is strictly limited to 15 minutes (10 minutes presenting and 5 minutes for Q&A and setup).  The final slideshow edited from the week 9 draft is posted under the resources tab.  The Final Presentation showcasing our research, our CAD model, and our scale model was conducted on June 4th at 1:00 PM.