#冲币新时代 #burj Burj Khalifa, as the tallest building in the world (828 meters), is not only a modern engineering marvel but also carries many well-known tales and symbolic meanings. Here are some of the most famous stories and backgrounds:
1. Naming Origin: Abu Dhabi's 'Lifeline'
- **Originally named 'Burj Dubai'**, but upon its completion in 2010, Dubai was facing a severe debt crisis (the 2009 'Dubai World' debt crisis). The Sheikh of neighboring Abu Dhabi, **Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan** (then President of the UAE), provided $10 billion in emergency aid to help Dubai through the crisis. In gratitude, Dubai renamed the tower to **'Burj Khalifa'**, symbolizing global cooperation and support within the UAE.
2. Design Inspiration: Islamic Culture and Natural Elements
- The architectural design was crafted by the American firm SOM, inspired by the form of the **desert flower Hymenocallis**, with overlapping petals that are both aesthetically pleasing and meet wind resistance requirements.
- The Y-shaped floor plan and spire design of the tower incorporate **Islamic geometric patterns**, reflecting Dubai's identity as a cultural hub of the Arab world, while symbolizing a 'stairway to the sky'.
3. Record-Breaking Engineering Challenges
- **Extreme Environment**: During construction, the team faced desert high temperatures (over 50°C in summer), strong winds (with top oscillation reaching 2 meters), and soft ground conditions. Engineers drove nearly 200 concrete piles deep into the ground (50 meters) to ensure stability.
- **Material Innovation**: The exterior walls utilized special glass and aluminum that are both heat-resistant and lightweight; concrete was pumped to heights above 600 meters, setting a world record at the time.
- **Speed and Height**: At the peak of construction, an average of **4 floors were built per week**, ultimately reaching 162 floors and a height of 828 meters, breaking the Taipei 101 record, which remains unbroken to this day.
4. Symbolic Meaning: Dubai's Modernization Declaration
- Burj Khalifa symbolizes Dubai's transformation from an oil economy to a **global tourism and business center**. Its completion marks Dubai's strategy of attracting global attention through 'super engineering', along with the sail-shaped hotel and the Palm Islands, forming the city’s iconic image.
- The tower houses the **highest observation deck in the world (148th floor)**, the **highest restaurant (122nd floor)**, and the **tallest mosque (158th floor)**, becoming a must-visit landmark for tourists.