Petronas Towers, Malaysia

Ben BerwickCharles Cunliffe

Chris DeliaPeter Gorgas

Petronas Towers• Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia• Constructed: 1992–1998 • Use: Office• Antenna or spire: 451.9 m (1,482.6 ft)• Roof: 378.6 m (1,242.1 ft) • Top floor: 375.0 m (1,230.3 ft)• Floor count: 88 • Floor area: 395,000 m2(4,252,000 sq ft)(1& 2) • Elevators: 78 (1 & 2) • Cost: $ 1,6 billion • Features a Skybridge

Site Exploration• More Than 200 Borings

– 8m on center• 260 In-Situ Pressure meter Tests• 2, 3500-ton Pile Load Tests

Site Details• Original Proposed Location:

– Porous Subterranean Limestone Cliff• Extended from surface to a depth of 395ft.• Susceptible to sinkholes• Moved 200ft. to avoid Limestone Cliff

Site Details• New Location

– Limestone Rock Formations• Significant Amount of Cavities

– “Kenny Hill” Formation• Stiff Sandy Layer

Ground Improvement• Fluid Grouting of Limestone Bedrock

– 2300 m3 of fluid grout in Tower 1, and 1100 m3 in Tower 2

• Compaction Grouting of Slump Zone– 900 m3 of compaction grout

Foundations• 208 Rectanglular Barrette Foundations

– 1.2 m x 2.8 m plan dimensions– 60m to 130m deep– Post Grouted

Summary

• Structure Overview• Site Exploration

– 200 borings– Pile load tests– Pressure meter test

• Site Details– Limestone– Kenny Hill

• Ground Improvement– Fluid grouting– Compaction grouting

• Foundations– 200 rect. barrette piles

References• “THE PETRONAS TOWERS, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA,” January

2010. <http://isites.h arvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic30774.files/2-8_Petronas.pdf>.

• “THE PETRONAS TWIN TOWER,” January 2010. <http://mcleon.tripod.com/tower2.htm>.

• “Tallest buildings in the world,” January 2010. <http://www.herdaily.com/travel/4941/tallest-buildings-in-the-world.html>.

• “Petronas Towers Base,” January 2010. <http://www.thepetronastowers.com/petronas-towers-base/>.

• “Geotechnical Challenges in the Design and Construction of Petronas Towers,” Clyde N. Baker, P.E., S.E., Hon.M.ASCE. ASCE. Geo-Strata, ASCE (pdf).

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