Skyscrapers: technologies and challenges of high-rise construction in the UAE

Skyscrapers in the UAE are high-rise buildings that show the ambition of the creators, existing innovation and economic prosperity. Each of them is considered to be the hallmark of major cities.

The list of the most popular ones includes Burj Khalifa at 828 meters, Princess Tower at 413 meters, Rose Tower at 333 meters, etc. Below let's take a look at how the idea of creating such buildings was born, what is the technology of erection, and what is known about the highest structure in the country.

How the idea of building skyscrapers was born

The project of the first skyscraper appeared at the end of the XIX century in the United States. That period was characterized by the rapid development of cities, population growth and limited available land. Traditional buildings made of brick and stone had height limits due to their massiveness and fragility, so engineers began to look for new technologies. The breakthrough was the invention of steel framing, which replaced load-bearing walls and allowed buildings to get taller without adding weight.

It's important

One of the first buildings was the Home Insurance Building in Chicago. It was completed in 1885. It had 10 floors and was considered the world's first skyscraper. The example of Chicago was quickly adopted in New York. Here because of the high cost of land they began to actively build high-rise buildings.

An additional factor that made skyscrapers possible was the invention of the elevator. First it was hydraulic, and then it was electric. Without it, it would have been unrealistic to climb to the upper floors of buildings. Their appearance significantly pushed the industry and became a catalyst for the construction of new objects.

Construction technology

For the erection of high-rise buildings, the knowledge of the best minds is used. At the same time, the technology of skyscraper construction includes many stages, from finding a site to finishing work.

Site selection High-rise objects have a huge weight, so you can't do without soil research. For construction, sites with hard rock are preferable. At the same time, soft or water saturated soils require complex and expensive reinforcements. In regions with high seismic activity (Japan, California), flexible foundations, shock absorber structures and dampers are used.

High groundwater levels complicate foundation construction and often lead to deformation of the building. In such cases, drainage and waterproofing are used.Transportation accessibility and engineering communications (power supply, water supply, sewerage) are important for successful operation.

Neighborhoods with business and residential areas are considered equally important. Wind, temperature and humidity are taken into account when creating the facade and load-bearing structures. For example, skyscrapers in the Emirates are designed with heat and sandstorms in mind.

Architectural design

The work starts with the concept, which is determined by the purpose of the skyscraper. It can be residential, office, mixed use. Its integration into the urban environment is also taken into account. Structural design is considered a key stage. Modern skyscrapers are built on the basis of steel or reinforced concrete frame, which gives strength and flexibility to the building.

The frame allows even distribution of load, resist wind and seismic effects. Special attention is paid to aerodynamics. Tall buildings experience a strong impact of wind, so their shape is designed to reduce turbulence. The design includes life support nodes: elevator shafts, ventilation and fire safety.

Many high-rises are often designed with “green” technologies. Solar panels, water recovery and intelligent control devices may be utilized. After the project is completed, a digital BIM model is created. It allows to integrate engineering units and calculate the behavior of the building in different conditions.

Team of specialists and interaction between them

Many specialists are involved in the creation of skyscrapers in Dubai and other cities. Architects create the building's concept, appearance and layout. They take into account aesthetics, building codes and customer requirements. Civil engineers design load-bearing structures, calculate loads and select materials. They work closely with the workers discussed above. Geodesists study the site, analyze the soil and measure the terrain.

They also give advice on the foundation. Engineers for life-support devices design ventilation, water supply, sewerage. They deal with heating, air conditioning and electricity supply. Facade designers create glass, metal and other exterior design elements. Builders and installers are involved.

They perform basic construction work: pour foundations, build the framework, and install glass panels. At the same time, managers coordinate the work of employees, control deadlines and budget. Safety technicians play a separate role. They ensure that construction work is carried out in accordance with the rules.

Foundation preparation

First, engineers conduct geological studies to determine the type and bearing capacity of the soil. Depending on the results, the type of foundation - pile or slab - is selected. Earthwork includes excavation. The work is carried out to a depth sufficient to accommodate the foundation and underground floors. To protect against collapse of the walls of the excavation, temporary fasteners or bored piles are used.

Pile foundation is used in case of weak or mobile soils. Provides for the use of concrete, steel or bored piles. Such elements transfer the load to the denser layers of soil. The slab foundation is used on strong soils. It is a monolithic reinforced concrete slab that distributes the load. To protect against groundwater, waterproofing materials are used.

These include bituminous membranes and polymer coatings. A reinforcing cage is then installed to reinforce the concrete structure.Concrete is directed by pumps and placed in layers to protect against cracking. After pouring, the strength is tested and cured until strength sets.

Steel frame construction

Unlike traditional buildings, skyscrapers are constructed using a steel frame. It distributes the weight between vertical columns and horizontal beams.

Base elements:

columns - vertical supporting elements, take the load from the upper floors; beams - horizontal nodes connecting the columns and supporting the slabs; rigid connections - nodes that ensure the stability of the structure against loads; reinforced concrete slabs - slabs between floors, laid on steel beams.

First, the foundation is  placed. Next, the steel frame is assembled, starting with columns and beam fixing. As new floors are added, slabs and auxiliary structures are added. The frame is clad with glass, concrete or other elements.

Materials

The construction is based on steel. It has great compressive and tensile strength. Metal withstands loads on all elements of the building, guarantees resistance to various cataclysms. Reinforced concrete is suitable for creating strong foundations and structural elements. Combines the strength of steel and resistance to compression of concrete.

Glass is actively used in the decoration of facades. It creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It provides excellent visibility from inside the building. Reinforced polymers and other strong materials are used in construction. They reduce the weight of the structure, which is important when building on limited areas.

Exterior cladding design

The construction technology of skyscrapers in Dubai and other cities includes external cladding. Glass panels are used to create the facade. They come in tinted, transparent and with energy efficiency options (e.g. solar filters). Aluminum and stainless steel are used to create smooth and resistant facades. Metal is often used to create decorative elements such as window frames. Natural and man-made stones are used to clad more traditional or luxurious buildings. These materials often create complex, textured facades.

They serve to insulate and protect against the outside environment. To install the outer shell, a metal or reinforced concrete frame is constructed, to which selected elements are attached. A modular approach is often used, where individual panels are assembled in workshops and then delivered to the construction site. New technologies allow the use of truck cranes and other mechanisms for installing elements at height.

Sometimes cladding is placed using drones to fine-tune and place the pieces. New skyscrapers can have unusual, undulating or angular shapes. The use of live plants on building facades is becoming popular. Design elements that change depending on the time of day or weather are also used.

Interior decoration

First, the interior walls, floors and ceilings are put up and leveled. A metal or reinforced concrete frame is often used. Plasterboard or panel coverings are attached to it. Then noise and heat insulation works are carried out to create comfortable conditions for residents or employees. The next step is the design and laying of engineering systems: heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Electrical wiring, security, lighting and plumbing systems are installed. Then the finishing of walls and ceilings is carried out. For the former, gypsum board panels and decorative coatings are usually used. Often tiles or artificial stone are used. Ceilings can be standard, suspended or stretched.

For flooring, materials such as tile, linoleum, carpet or commercial laminate are chosen. In residential buildings parquet, marble or granite is used. In elite apartments and hotels, natural stone or wood is popular. The final stage involves the installation of doors, frames, lighting and decorative elements. The last category includes decorative panels, textiles (curtains, furniture upholstery).

Energy efficiency of the building

An important step is the use of insulating materials for walls, windows and roof. For example, double or triple glazing reduces heat loss in winter and protects against overheating. Walls made of insulating panels help keep the temperature inside. Skyscrapers utilize an HVAC system. Provides for the use of heat recovery technology. Inverter air conditioners change power to suit the situation. Often solar panels are placed on the facade and roofs. They are especially relevant in the UAE.

Some high-rises use wind generators and geothermal installations. New buildings have BMS devices that regulate energy consumption. They monitor heating, air conditioning and other indicators.Thus, motion sensors themselves turn on or off in the rooms. The energy efficiency of a skyscraper is linked to the rational use of water resources.

Modern buildings use devices to collect and process rainwater. The latter can be used for technical needs (irrigation, toilets, etc.). The devices reduce the load on public utilities and help to reduce consumption. Energy recovery devices using the kinetic energy of elevators or heat recovery units are often used. Some buildings utilize battery systems to store excess energy.

Safety technologies, aerodynamics

When the first skyscrapers were built, developers had a limited choice of security systems. Today, this problem has been completely eliminated. Protection systems include automatic fire suppression, smoke extraction and ventilation. Fire-resistant materials and structures are used to protect against the spread of fire and smoke.

These include fireproof coatings on metal frames, fireproof doors and walls. Great attention is paid to the design of evacuation exits, which must be safe and fast. Obligatory elements are video surveillance and motion sensors for 24/7 monitoring. They help to monitor situations with security breaches, protect against criminals and terrorists.

Reinforced facades and special glass are often used. Skyscrapers include reinforced frame structures, shock absorbing elements and suspension units. An important role is played by navigation devices for quick orientation of people in emergency situations. Additionally, emergency warning elements (sound and light) are designed.

The main objective of the designers is to reduce wind resistance and reduce turbulence. Some buildings use curved, rounded or angular shapes. Aerodynamic tests are conducted in wind channels to assess the effects of wind. Various technologies are used to minimize vibration:

Stabilizers (mass dampers). They are placed on upper floors or inside buildings. They dampen vibrations by absorbing vibrations. The use of “complex” shapes: spiral or angular. Such elements improve the aerodynamics of the building and reduce drag.

Burj Khalifa skyscraper

The height of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is 828 meters or 163 floors. As of 2025, it is the tallest building in the world. Its design strikes the imagination. The project was created by the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings&Merrill. The main role was played by Adrian Smith. Previously, he worked on Jin Mao in China.

It was this man who initially proposed such an ambitious project. Burj Khalifa has a pliable shape resembling a stalactite. This ensures aesthetics and resistance to strong winds. Swaying that can occur in tall buildings is minimized. The asymmetrical shape helped to reduce wind resistance, which is important in Dubai's hot climate.

Erection began in 2004. The construction process did not stop even in the extreme heat. A special grade of concrete was created to withstand temperature fluctuations of up to 50°C. The concrete mixture was poured at night. Ice was added to keep it in shape. The work was carried out at such a speed that up to two floors were built in a week.

About 12,000 people worked on the construction site per day. Despite technical difficulties, the high-rise building was completed on January 4, 2010. The finished object broke all records, including the tallest spire. The latter adds an additional 180 meters to the overall height.

Inside the building there are office spaces and residential apartments. There is a luxury hotel Armani, as well as restaurants, including the highest restaurant in the world - “At.mosphere”. The latter “climbed” to a height of 442 meters. Observation platforms on the 124th and 148th floors allow you to enjoy the views of Dubai. This skyscraper holds the record for the largest number of floors - 163.

The fastest elevator, which travels 10 meters per second, is also installed here. The building is built with environmental technology in mind. One of the innovations is a device for collecting air condensate. Subsequently, it is used for irrigation of green areas around the complex. Every year the system allows collecting up to 40 million liters of liquid, which is important in conditions of fresh water scarcity.