The structural design of Almas tower, Dubai, UAE

The Almas Tower is a 360 m high office tower in Dubai, UAE. The design comprises two intersecting elliptical towers located on a sculpted three-storey podium. The architectural form and client's requirement for floor efficiencies of 80% resulted in significant challenges for the structural design team. This paper discusses the structural framing adopted, wind-tunnel studies undertaken – including building acceleration, lateral movements and column-shortening effects – and mitigation measures introduced. It also describes the design of the tower's spire, which features tuned mass dampers.