Dubai, Asharq Al-Awsat- : Burj Dubai, the tower developed by Emaar Properties, is now the second tallest building in the world, 468.1 metres (1,535.8 ft) high and with 130 storeys.

Burj Dubai is taller than Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452 metres; 1,483 ft) and Sears Tower in Chicago (442 metres; 1,450 ft), and is second only to Taipei 101 (509 metres; 1,670 ft), taller by only 39.9 metres (145.2 ft). Burj Dubai has also set a new world record for vertical concrete pumping for a building, by pumping to over 460 metres (1,509 ft). The previous record was held by Taipei 101 for pumping concrete up to a height of 448 metres (1,470 ft).

The all-time world record for altitude transportation of concrete was set during the extension of the Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant in Italy in 1994, when concrete was pumped to a record level of 532 metres (1,745 ft). Burj Dubai will also break this record before construction is complete.

“This is another proud moment for Dubai as the city’s iconic tower continues to scale its way upward to become the tallest building in the world,” said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. “From now on, every new level and every additional metre on Burj Dubai will be the culminating steps in building an architectural and engineering marvel that reiterates Dubai’s global capabilities.”

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is being constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. More than 318,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 63,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in Burj Dubai’s construction to date.

The construction of 130 levels was completed in 1,226 days since excavation work started in January, 2004. Ten cranes and the world’s fastest high-capacity construction hoists – with a speed of up to 2 m/sec (120 m/min) – are used to move men and materials. “Burj Dubai is approaching its top-out and construction work has entered a new realm in engineering technology that has no parallels anywhere in the world,” said Mr Alabbar.

When completed, Burj Dubai will be the tallest building in the world in all four categories recognised by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which compiles and ranks the world’s tallest buildings. CTBUH ranks buildings on the basis of spire height, the highest occupied floor, roof height and pinnacle height.