Pearl River Tower

Why was it necessary?

• 1000 years ago, Guangzhou was a key port.• Guangzhou is hosting the Asian games so the

city is getting multi billion make-over.• Reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emission

by 40-45% by 2020 as compared with 2005.• Zero Emission Eco-friendly tower.• Sun and wind to make its own energy.

What was the idea?

• Aero-dynamical structure.• High-performance.• Use wind energy to power.• 4 holes for wind turbines.• Double skin of hi-tech glass

inbuilt with solar panel

Challenges

• Typhoon.• Earthquake.• Building has to withstand natural forces.

Quality

• Every steel piece is subject to test.• Pressure is applied and a computer records the

strength of steel.• Ultra-sound test is used to detect cracks and

flaws.

Construction

• Nearly 8 tones of steel beams each.• Nuts and Bolts- To prevent from earthquakes.• Precision is very important to prevent errors.• 18000 steel pieces manufactured.• Steel pieces are curved by applying precise

amount of force.

Basement

• Footprint 3 times larger than actual building.• 30 m Deep-Basement can house 800 vehicles.• 10m Deep-Bedrock.• 4 steel mega-columns with smaller columns to

support the building.• Concrete core.• Beams to make up the core wall.

Beams

• Crane totally relies on the instructions from team mates.

• Coordinate to place the beam in correct position.

• Bolted and welded into position.• Release beam from the crane.

Challenge

• Positioning becomes difficult due to the curved structure.

• Double layer surveying.• Survey points on neighboring buildings.• Set of points in tower’s perimeter and edges.• Measure every piece that they install.

Hydraulic climbing Frame

• Makes work twice as fast.• Climbing frame attached to each of the 4

columns.• Pour concrete much easily.• Vertical frame.• Mold to hold concrete.• Wooden platform.

Double skin glass facade

• Breathable skin.• Regulate the temperature and radiation inside

the building.• Two layers of glass with cavity in between.• Deflects much of the sun spectrum away.• Blocks more than 70% of heat.

Energy efficient lighting

• Energy efficient lights bulbs in beams.• Curved ceiling panels reflects this light.• Natural light is also reflected.• 50% less fixtures.

Cooling system

• Chilled radiant ceilings.• Run chilled water through metal ceiling panel.• Air required is nearly 25% of what is

necessary in any other building.

Glass Panels

• 80,000 square meter of glass• Typhoons can create problem.• Curved structure need to be water tight.• Tests are done to ensure it.

Wind current

• Building faces the direction of wind.• Funnels through wind holes.• Vertical turbines.• Integrated within the building.• Reduce the pressure of wind.

PV panels

• Photo-voltaic panels • Convert light energy into electricity.• REGEN drive- recycles up to 75% of elevator.• Captures energy when full life travels up or

down and feed it back into building.

Fixing the panels

• Sealing the window frames.• To prevent moisture from getting in.• Precision is very important.• Surveying is done to make sure panels are

installed properly.

Steel arches

• To be installed to form the dome.• Placed properly to make sure it is positioned

properly.• Glass façade might break so it had to be done

carefully.

Power source

• 15 micro turbines• 3 Mega watts of energy during day.• Return excess power to grid during night.• Plan was dropped as returning power was not

possible.

Reference

• Refer the NATGEO video file sent to you for videos.

• Wikipedia has a lot of information on this topic

Thank you