Telling tall storeys

Our R&D, Engineering Services Director Thanh Huynh considers some of the tallest buildings we’ve been called in to assist with around the world.

Skyscrapers pose very specific challenges for designers, builders and their contractors. For this reason, USG Boral’s Engineering Team is often called in to help with detailed specifications – even to design new solutions for overcoming new problems in a smarter way. After all, skyscrapers are the ultimate vision – for Architects as well as developers – and turning vision into reality is what we like to think we do best!

For a start, taller buildings can have greater internal wind pressures – especially residential towers with balconies and openable windows. Careful consideration and design experience is necessary to specify products and systems that not only satisfy building code regulations but that also meet unique challenges of skyscrapers.  

Another reason that we get called in to help solve specific high-rise challenges is our long-standing track record – having worked with the designers of some of the world’s tallest buildings. Any one of my team has access to the skills and direct experience of colleagues within the region or globally.

Our Shaft Wall Systems are important components of giants such as New York’s One World Trade Centre, Vietnam’s Bitexco Tower and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.

We were involved in specifications for the world’s tallest twins, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Currently the tallest building in the world at over 828m, it includes our specialised systems/boards and compounds. Closer to home, Eureka Tower, Melbourne’s tallest building, and the Brisbane Skytower were both designed with the help of our Engineering Team for fire- and acoustic-rated inter-tenancy walls. More specifically, USG Boral developed a unique patented wall system for the Eureka Towers using panelised components, aptly naming the system ‘EurekaWall’.

Another way we can provide tangible help in high-rise development is by offering light plasterboard products for walls and ceilings. For example, at 15% lighter than our standard board, SHEETROCK® can reduce precious crane lift time on large developments. Most importantly, it’s easier to handle so can help to reduce the ‘wear and tear’ on plastering contractors, especially in multi-storey developments involving repeated installation of ceilings.

To learn more about USG Boral's involvement with building skyscrapers view our brochure here.

© 2017 USG BORAL. All rights reserved. SHEETROCK is a trademark owned by United States Gypsum Co and used under license.