631-meter continuous elevator system being developed for the 725-meter Burj Azizi in Dubai

The Burj Azizi, currently under construction in Dubai, is preparing to draw attention not only with its height but also with the elevator system to be used inside. In the skyscraper, which is planned to reach 725 meters upon completion, one of the elevators is aimed to follow a continuous route of 631.5 meters.

This distance, equivalent to approximately 140 floors, will place the structure among projects that will host one of the longest single-piece elevator journeys in the world. The fundamental problem in structures of this scale is that, in addition to the cabin, the ropes extending hundreds of meters must also support their own weight.

CARBON FIBER CORE INSTEAD OF STEEL ROPE

KONE is behind the system to be used in the Burj Azizi. The company's solution relies on specially coated carbon fiber core hoisting ropes, which are much lighter than traditional steel ropes. It is stated that these ropes weigh approximately one-fifth of classic steel ropes.

The reduction in weight is not limited to the ropes. The system also includes elements such as wireless power transmission, wireless data communication, and the removal of some traditional travel cables. Thus, the aim is to both reduce the total load and establish a more controlled structure against wind-induced oscillations in high-rise buildings.

In very tall buildings, the effect of wind stands out as a significant engineering topic in elevator design. The slight swaying of the skyscraper can also affect the movement of long cables and ropes. For this reason, wireless infrastructure and battery-based power solutions are cited as critical elements that reduce the number of moving and heavy cables.

AI-supported routing will also be used in the system. This technology will automatically organize which elevator will respond to which call by analyzing passenger movements and usage habits within the building. According to KONE, this method can reduce waiting and travel times by up to 60 percent during peak hours.

This approach is particularly important in mixed-use skyscrapers where residential, office, hotel, and shopping areas are located within the same structure. This is because the direction of traffic between floors can change at different times of the day, and elevators need to be managed accordingly.

The system developed for the Burj Azizi also provides clues about the future of vertical transportation technology in tall buildings. Lightweight materials, wireless infrastructure, and smart control systems are considered among the essential technologies for skyscrapers that may exceed the 1-kilometer mark in the future.