
Dow Corning Construction Silicones Used on
Burj Khalifa Tower
January 11, 2010
Dow Corning silicones were used to help protect the Burj Khalifa
Tower in Dubai from the harsh desert climate and also to promote
its energy efficiency. The Burj Khalifa, formerly called Burj Dubai,
soars to 828 meters (more than a half mile) above ground level and
is visible from a distance of 95 km in all directions (CLICK
HERE for related article).
The Burj Khalifa set the record for the tallest installation of
an aluminum, silicone and glass façade, and required record-breaking
quantities of steel bars and concrete for its construction. With
a total of more than 24,000 cladding panels over a total curtainwall
area of 132,000 square meters, the Burj Khalifa's shimmering façade
was created to help minimize heat transmission and save energy.
The cladding materials were specially made using advanced engineering
techniques and include high-performance reflective glazing, silicone
sealants and structural adhesives, aluminum mullions and textured
steel spandrels with vertical stainless steel tubular fins.
"We've been involved in many of the landmark buildings around
the world for more than 60 years, through curtainwall structural
glazing, assembly and weather proofing, insulating glass assembly
and interior sealing. That experience and the proven performance
of our silicone technologies played a critical role in this project,"
says Ron Fillmore, global executive director for Dow Corning's Construction
Industry.
The harsh environment offered a unique challenge since the construction
materials had to withstand the test of time in an often scorching
desert.
"We love these sorts of challenges at Dow Corning. They're
perfectly aligned with the properties of our silicones, which are
incredibly durable and ideal for such a demanding environment,"
says Jean-Paul Hautekeer, global marketing manager for building
projects. The solutions for the Burj Khalifa Tower included Dow
Corning's global project support services, which are now marketed
as a fully client-focused and integrated program called Quality
Bond®.
"Dow Corning® Quality Bond lifts silicone bonding and sealing
to a new level through the introduction of a collection of services
and commitments, which are relevant to all members in the construction
project specification chain. They offer guaranteed performance and
peace of mind," says Tim Efthimiady, Construction Industry
commercial director for Europe and the Middle East. "The Burj
Khalifa was the ideal opportunity to offer our Quality Bond program
to the various companies involved in the project from the curtainwall
and glass contractor to the main contractor, architect and consultant."
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