Backdrop
In recent years, visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk has been involved in ambitious projects all around the world. His latest project is to potentially build the world’s tallest building; the focus of this article. This news has caused considerable buzz among those who have been following Musk’s footsteps, with many questioning the feasibility and sustainability behind such an endeavor. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the various components of Elon’s plan and see if it is plausible.
Measuring Up
Megatall towers have been a part of the world’s imagination for a long time now, with many people praising their aesthetics, practicality and even usefulness. And one of the longest- standing contenders for this has to be the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, currently standing 828m tall, inspiring awe around the globe. Elon’s aim, however, is far more ambitious. His proposal is to build a tower that stands around 1,000 metres tall. While many have commended the audaciousness of this proposed project, several structural engineering firms have expressed serious concerns.
Difficulties Involved
One of the major issues faced by project engineers is the sheer amount of resources required to build the tower. For starters, the sheer amount of manpower necessary to build such a structure is daunting, a fact that Musk is purportedly well aware of. No better evidence could be cited to illustrate this point than the team of 80 engineers he hired to work on refining the engineering plans. The amount of raw material that goes into building such a tower is just as daunting – a cubic metre of glass and steel would cost easily 5 to 8 times what it does for a regular skyscraper.
In addition to this, the structural integrity of such a tower is of paramount importance. While financial concerns are widely considered in such projects, the safety must take precedence. There are many factors which need to be monitored in such a proposal. From the design of the reinforcing rods to the potential impact of wind forces, everything needs to be taken into consideration.
Finally, there is the factor of sustainability. While our society has gone to admirable lengths to minimize its footprint, any project of this scale needs to take into account its long-term effects with regard to pollution, carbon emissions and material wastage. All of these need to be taken into account before the project can commence.
Financial Costs
The primary challenge faced by those who endeavor to build such a tower is the financial burden it places on the people involved. Right now, the estimated cost for such a project could be anything from 7 to 10 billion dollars. This figure could rise further depending on the engineering factors we just discussed. For a structure of this size to be approved for construction and survive the scrutiny of financial analysts, its backers need to be certain that it is financially reasonable and economically viable.
Elon Musk has reportedly taken this into account and is relying greatly on his ‘vertical integration strategy’ – contracting companies whom he has owned in the past in order to bring down costs. In any case, with his net-worth estimated to be around 24 billion dollars, it is fair to assume that the project has the necessary financial backing.
Environmental Costs
While financial concerns are one of the major issues, the issue of environmental impact should not be overlooked. Megatall towers tend to be particularly draining on the environment. Huge amounts of land are razed in order to make way for the site, besides which there is the additional burden of increased air pollution and further effects on flora, fauna and local workers.
Elon Musk has taken note of all the relevant environmental factors and is reportedly looking forward to introducing green technologies and renewable energy for the project. This could potentially eliminate a major portion of the overall pollution and cut back on costs significantly. That said, it is still too early to be completely sure of the impact this will have on the environment.
Safety Measures
The safety of everyone involved, from the contractors to the people residing in the tower, is of paramount importance. For a structure of this size to be approved and to withstand the test of time, its construction must be of the highest quality. When it comes to engineering, no detail can be overlooked.
Which is why Elon Musk has employed an engineering team led by structural engineers from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The team reportedly consists of architectural engineers, structural engineers, and seismic engineers who are tasked with ensuring the optimum safety and quality of the building in question. All these factors will determine the success and the longevity of the project.
Specialized Resources
The sheer scale and ambition of this project cannot be overstated. The amount of specialized resources needed to pull off such an impressive endeavor is simply mind-boggling. For starters, such a project would require a massive workforce; nearly 3000 workers and temporary employees will be utilized to turn this vision into reality. In addition to this, the project will also require the assistance of several specialized companies; from cabling and wiring, right up to the most sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. All of these need to be taken into consideration in order to ensure the success of the venture.
New Innovations
Elon Musk is not known for going half-heartedly about his plans and projects. And this endeavor is no different. He is reportedly incorporating several new technologies into the project in order to make the structure even more efficient and robust. From using electricity-generating tiles to planning to install the latest air-purifying systems; from using advanced robotics to minimize the dangers inherent in building the tower to make sure it is earthquake-resistant, several new practices have been discussed.
Musk has also hinted at the possibility of incorporating such technologies as virtual/augmented reality and automated elevators in order to make living in his proposed tower even more convenient. All of these points to the potential of his ideas and the potential they hold.
Light Show Spectacular
As is the hallmark of many grand projects, this one too has a spectacle to offer. It has been hinted that the tower will be adorned with light shows, far exceeding anything else seen in the world up until now. The show – that has not yet been revealed in detail – is reportedly going to be the highlight of the entire structure and its construction has been financed by sponsorships and contribution from various sources.
It is difficult to predict the exact impact of such a light show. Though many expect it to attract a lot of visitors and have a significant economic impact on the nearby metropolitan area, only time will tell if such a venture is successful or not.
Permissible Zones
When building an edifice of the envisioned size, there is the concern of terrain constraints and air space restrictions. Building a tower of certain proportions may cause it to penetrate air spaces reserved for aircraft, which could lead to major safety concerns.
Elon Musk, however, has reportedly addressed this issue by ensuring that the proposed tower will fall within the permissible heights at the corresponding location. While this feature alone goes a long way in term of ensuring the safety of the tower and the people involved, other safety protocols are also set to be incorporated.
Public Perception
What with the vast resources that this project requires and the overall risk involved, it is no wonder that there is a sense of trepidation surrounding its implementation. While many people are overly enthusiastic about the venture, there are also those who have concerns about the economical, environmental and safety issues that come hand in hand with such a colossal project.
Elon Musk’s reputation has made it difficult for certain people to be certain that the project is viable. In the near future, however, this venture may be fulfilled and may even become – as Elon insists – the tallest building in the world.
