The Petronas Twin Towers

The floor-plate of the Tower is designed based on geometric patterns common in architecture of Islamic
heritage. It is composed of two rotated and superimposed squares with small circular infills. These geometric
figures have been described by architects as symbolising unity, harmony, stability and rationality - all important
principles of Islam.
Like the exterior design, the Towers entrance design was also inspired by the countrys cultural heritage,
incorporating contemporary !alaysian motifs adapted from traditional handicrafts such as songket and timber
carvings. The overall character of the building is high-tech and international but distinctively !alaysian.
The structure of the two-level bridge is conventional framing constructed of structural steel with beams
moment-connected to columns which bear on the level "# continuous girders. The bridge is $%." m long and
weighs about &$' tonnes. The two-hinge arch supporting the bridge has rotational pins (spherical bearings) at
the end of each leg or spring point and at the top or crown of the arch (bearings). The main bridge girders
have a rotational (centering) pin directly over the arch crown to permit the crown to rise and fall as the Towers
move closer or further apart.
The arch is a centering device, equalising *oint movement at both Towers. +s the Towers move together or
apart, the legs change slope, the spherical bearings rotate at spring points and the legs flex at their top end. The
bridge mid-point sinks or rises, flexing the two main girders.
,hen the Towers move side-to-side in opposite directions, or when they twist, the arch spring points twist on
the spherical bearings and bridge end bearings slide in opposing directions guided by sliding keeper blocks on
bridge centreline.
In the event that it loses its arch support, the bridge structure would not collapse but deflect and stay in position.
Assembly of Skybridge
Fabrication
The skybridge was fabricated and shop assembled by -amsung .eavy Industries of -outh /orea. The
fabrication works complied with some of the most stringent industry standards and codes such as those
maintained by the +merican -ociety for Testing and !aterials (+-T!), 0ritish -tandard (0-), and +merican
Institute of -teel 1onstruction (+I-1).
The fully assembled bridge was then dismantled and shipped to /uala Lumpur in "23 pieces ("$4.5" tonnes).
To facilitate putting it into place, the skybridge was pre-assembled into five main components comprising the two
legs, two end blocks and the centre section.
Centre Section
The 3'& parts of the frame for the centre section of the skybridge were fully assembled and bolted. The centre
section of the skybridge frame, measuring "# metres in length, over $ metres in width and nine metres in height,
was assembled at the concourse level.
Skybridge Legs
The two inclined legs are approximately "4.5 metres long and weigh about 5' tonnes each.
The five sections of each set of legs were completely assembled and checks on the whole dimension, camber
and alignment were made before bolting. Tuned mass dampers have been engineered for the legs.
These dampers have been designed after a complete wind tunnel test to accommodate the comfort level by
dampening any effects of unusual wind conditions and possible long term fatigue due to resonance of the legs.
These pendulum operated dampers were field tested and inserted to the centre section of the legs *ust prior to
final assembly.
End Blocks
0oth end blocks of the skybridge were assembled at concourse level with main girders, cross beams and
hori6ontal bracing. The two end blocks are approximately %.3 metres long and weigh about 3' tonnes each.
+fter the whole dimension and alignment of the end blocks were checked, they were ready to be lifted.
Lifting of Skybridge
7-L .eavy Lifting, a specialist in this field, was appointed for the lifting of the skybridge studies and
preparation for the lifting was carried out for more than a year in several countries including the 8nited -tates
and -outh /orea, simulating various wind and weather conditions including those based on actual load data
over the past $' years.
There are nine main steps in the lifting of the skybridge.
Step One
The skybridges legs are lifted up one at a time by tower cranes. 9nce
they are in position, control cables are used to lower them over their
permanent bearings at level 42.
Step Two
The two end block girder frames of the skybridge are lifted individually.
The blocks are installed about #''mm above their final position at level
"#. They are also retracted about #''mm into the tower to provide
sufficient clearance for the skybridge centre section during lifting.
Step Three
The four lifting *acks located at level $' of both towers are connected
on the bridge centre. The other four lifting *acks located on level "% of
both towers are connected to the bridge ends.
Step Four
The centre section which weighs 34$ tonnes is lifted about ## metres
and restrained. This is to allow the upper #' metres of the legs to be
connected to the girder on the bridge.
Step Fie
+fter a final check, lifting of the centre section commences.
Step Si!
+t a minimum lifting speed of #4 metres per hour, the centre section is
gradually lifted to its final level.
Step Seen
-teps -even to :ine took about two weeks. + temporary connection
secures together the centre section and the end block girder frame to
ensure there is no stress.
Step Eight
The legs are moved into place. ,hen the legs are in their final position,
the skybridge end blocks are lowered on their permanent bearings at
Level "#. The centre section is then lowered to meet the legs.
Step "ine
+fter the lifting system has been removed, the floors were concreted,
the skybridge roofed. The maintenance equipment is set up on
stainless steel rails on top of the bridge.
+t about &."' p.m., on 2 +ugust #22$, after 34 hours of lifting
operation, the skybridge was lifted to its final position at the "#st and
"4nd levels of the ;<T=9:+- Twin Towers.