The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were completed in 1996 and were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004, remaining the tallest twin towers ever built. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli, the towers feature 88 stories and a sky bridge that serves as an emergency escape route, with construction completed two years ahead of schedule at a cost of $1.6 billion. The project faced various challenges including site analysis, material issues, and weather conditions during construction, ultimately symbolizing Islamic culture with their eight-pointed star design.

1. Petronas Twin Towers
Mateusz Gryglak

2. The Petronas Towers
are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According
to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
(CTBUH)'s official definition and ranking, they were
the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and
remain the tallest twin towers in the world. The buildings
are a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala
Lumpur Tower.

4. Basic Information
• Architect: Cesar Pelli and Associates
• Client: Kuala Lumpur City Centre Holdings
• The development of the Petronas Twin Towers begun in 1990,
and was completed in 1996
• 88 storey office towers, with a connecting sky bridge
• Tower one construction team: Led by Robert Pratt – T1
Pinnacle Team – Hazama Corp.
• Tower Two and skybridge construction team: Led by Jon
Dunsford – T2 Pinnacle Team – Samsung C&T and Kukdong
Engineers & Construction

5. Basic Information
• Estimated to build in 8 years, built in 6 years. Total cost: 1,6
billion $
• Estimated to cost $700,000 each day of construction (about
8 years- $2 billions) thus, came under budget

6. The driver for the project was to build the tallest building, this
was supported by the Malaysian Government, to boost their
standing within the world
Prime minister had a huge impact during the design stage of the
two structures
In 1990 planning begun, while in 1991 Cesar Pelli won the design
for the towers
The Twin Towers were assigned to two separate contractors, one
for each tower; Samsung C&T and Hazama Group. This was to
promote competition

8. Scope
• Two 88 story towers with, a connecting bridge
• The sky bridge connecting the two structures was also
designed to act as a emergency escape in the case of
terroristic attacks and fires
• Pinnacles on top of the towers – design to represent islamic
culture
• The use of glass windows
• Strive for the tallest building and originality

11. Time
• The construction was estimated to take 8
years, however there was an eight month
delay
• It was completed in 6 years, two years under
what was predicted
• It was vital that the building was constructed
to the management plan, as it would cost
$700,000 per day after the deadline

12. Planning
• The Construction site was chosen: Kuala Lumpur Race Track
Cesar Pelli’s designs for the towers were rejected by the Prime
Minister, as they weren’t „Malaysian enough”, meaning that
they didn’t represent Islam sufficiently
• The Prime Minister begun to re-design the floor plan for the
building, changing it to two interlocking squares, creating a
shape of eight-pointed stars, which symbolize the islamic
principles of „unity within unity, harmony, stability, and
rationality”
• During the planning stage the cost estimation is determined. The
Malaysian budget only allowed for 6 years of construction
• Additionaly, the planning stage is the final „green light” for the
project to commence

13. Execution
• During the execution stage, the scope and
schedule are identified and determined
• The schedule allowed for 4 days of
construction per floor, it initially took 8 day,
they had to construct uninterrupted, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week
• Construction began in early 1993

16. Execution
• A site establishment is conducted during this stage,
however, the engineers discovered that there had
never been a proper analysis of the site, the site came
to a standstill
• Geologist looked for bedrock, but found that the site
was on declayed limestone and on the edge of cliff
• The site was proposed to be moved 60 meters onto the
softer ground, were they could build their own bedrock
consisting of concrete
• The sky bridge connecting the two towers was design
for emergency purposes, such as a terrorist attack,
fires, and other emergencies

17. Constrains
• The not suitable bedrock (foundation)
• A lack of steel
• The concrete was not suitable, too soft
• They had to create a new form od concrete
that acted the same as steel; strong with a
degree of flexibility
• Flooring was time consuming

20. Issues during construction
• Issue One – The foundation slab
If the concrete dried unevenly, the slab would crack,
thus seriously weaken the ability to support the
building above. Therefore, they decided to pour the
concrete all at the once, scheduling concrete trucks to
arrive every 2,5 minutes for 52 hours, without a break

21. Issues during construction
• Issue Two – The weather
The Malaysian weather is susceptible to torrential
rain, this is also problematic to the slab, as the
concrete can get too wet, and become ruined. They
covered the entire slab with canvas, the equivalent to
56 circus tents

24. Closing
• During the final stage of construction the
pinnacles were constructed and placed on top
of the towers, completing the record for the
tallest tower
• Construction was completed in 1996,
therefore reaching the 6 year deadline, with
days to spare

26. Sources: Pictures and informations
• http://www.worldfortravel.com/2013/01/14/
petronas-twin-towers-malaysia/
• http://www.kiat.net/towers/reality.html
• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
ospMzvVIPl0/T6Jhqf7t1BI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3P
gggM0kqE4/s1600/A012-
00571_Heavy_reinforcement_in_concrete_col
umns_for_the_two_Petronas_towers_during_
construction_in_Kuala_Lum.jpg

27. Sources: Pictures and informations
• https://prezi.com/weeiw2lccw68/the-
petronas-twin-towers-project-lifecycle/#
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-
01/fireworks-explode-above-petronas-
towers/3754088

28. Thank you for your attention
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