1. System Overview
The Vertical Transportation System provides the primary passenger, service, emergency, and evacuation
circulation network throughout the 900 m Helical Supertall. It safely transports occupants between all
building zones while maintaining operational efficiency, redundancy, ride comfort, and compatibility
with the helical tower geometry.
All elevator shafts and emergency stair shafts remain vertically aligned within the central tubular core,
while the surrounding occupied floors rotate helically around it.
System Classification
Ultra‑Supertall Mixed‑Use Helical Tower
Applicable Design Standards
- ISO 8100 / EN 81 – Elevators
- ASME A17.1 / CSA B44
- NFPA 101 – Life Safety
- CTBUH Vertical Transportation Guidelines
2. Core Configuration
Central Core Geometry
| Core Shape | Elliptical (Aligned to Helical Twist Axis) |
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| Major Axis | 32.0 m |
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| Minor Axis | 24.0 m |
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Core Wall Thickness Schedule
| Base (0–200 m) | 1200 mm |
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| Mid (200–600 m) | 800 mm |
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| Upper (600–900 m) | 500 mm |
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Engineering Logic
The central core forms the primary vertical transportation spine. Wall thickness reduces with height as
structural loading decreases, while maintaining stiffness and alignment for elevator shafts and stair systems.
3. Building Transport Zoning
| Low Zone | 0–200 m — Retail / Office |
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| Mid Zone | 200–600 m — Office / Hotel |
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| High Zone | 600–900 m — Residential / Observation |
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Engineering Logic
Passenger flow is divided into dedicated zones to reduce waiting times and improve traffic handling efficiency.
4. Elevator System Design
Elevator Typology
- Double‑deck high‑speed passenger elevators
- Sky lobby transfer elevators
- Service and fireman lifts
- AI‑optimized destination control system
Shaft Configuration
| Total Elevator Shafts | 36 Passenger |
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| Service Shafts | 8 |
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| Fire / Emergency Shafts | 6 |
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Standard Passenger Shaft
| Internal Dimensions | 3.5 × 3.5 m |
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| Wall Clearance | 150 mm each side |
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| Overall Shaft Footprint | 3.8 × 3.8 m |
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Super High‑Speed Shaft Features
| Continuous Travel Height | Up to 900 m |
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| Pressurization | 20–30 Pa |
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5. Elevator Cars
Configuration
Double‑Deck Passenger Elevator
Car Dimensions (Each Deck)
| Depth | 3.0 m |
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| Width | 2.4 m |
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| Internal Height | 2.7 m |
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| Upper Deck Height | 2.7 m |
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Rated Capacity
| Persons per Deck | 20 |
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| Rated Load | 1600 kg |
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Operating Speeds
| Low Zone | 8 m/s |
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| Mid Zone | 12 m/s |
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| High Zone | 18–20 m/s |
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Engineering Logic
Double‑deck elevators reduce shaft count while significantly increasing passenger throughput.
6. Counterweight System
| Counterweight Width | 1.5 m |
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| Guide Rail Spacing | 1.2 m |
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| Mass Ratio | 40–50% of rated load + car weight |
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Engineering Logic
Counterweights reduce motor power demand and minimize energy consumption.
7. Guide Rail System
| Rail Type | T‑Section Steel Rail (T127 / T140) |
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| Max Bracket Spacing | 2.5 m |
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Functions
- Maintain precise car alignment
- Resist lateral loads
- Minimize vibration
- Enable stable high‑speed operation
8. Elevator Performance Summary
| Maximum Travel Height | 900 m |
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| Maximum Speed | 20 m/s |
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| Acceleration | 1.0–1.2 m/s² |
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| Emergency Deceleration | 1.0–1.2 g |
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| Capacity | 20 persons / 1600 kg per deck |
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| System Type | Double‑Deck High‑Speed |
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| Destination Control | AI Optimized |
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9. Machine Room & Drive Systems
Machine Room Locations
| Transfer Floor | ~200 m |
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| Sky Lobby | ~600 m |
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| Roof Machine Room | ~880 m |
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Traction Machines
| Type | Gearless Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
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| Power Output | 500–1200 kW |
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| Drive Sheave Diameter | 800–1200 mm |
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Engineering Logic
Distributed machine rooms reduce cable lengths and improve maintenance access while maintaining
efficient traction performance.
10. Hoist Cable System
| Material | Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belts |
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| Equivalent Diameter | 30–50 mm |
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| Breaking Strength | >10× working load |
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Engineering Logic
Carbon fibre belts reduce suspended mass and are required for ultra‑high‑rise travel distances.
11. Pulley & Sheave System
Configuration
Multi‑Sheave Traction Arrangement
Deflection Pulleys Located At
- Machine Room
- Shaft Midpoints (Ultra‑Height Control)
Primary Function
- Rope redirection
- Tension equalization
- Stable traction
12. Emergency Stair Core System
Stair Configuration
Four Stair Cores — Symmetrically Distributed
| Primary Stair Width | 1800 mm |
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| Secondary Stair Width | 1400 mm |
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| Fire Rating | 4 Hours |
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| Pressurization | 50 Pa |
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Refuge Floors
| Spacing | Every 20–25 floors (80–100 m) |
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| Refuge Area | 500–800 m² |
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Engineering Logic
Emergency stairs remain straight (non‑helical) to ensure intuitive evacuation routes and simplify
emergency response.
13. Dynamic & Wind Response
Helical Tower Impacts
Torsional motion affects elevator alignment.
Compensation Systems
- Active rail alignment dampers
- Flexible guide brackets
Sway Compensation
| Maximum Drift at Tower Top | 2.5–3.5 m |
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| Elevator Alignment Tolerance | ±300 mm |
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Technologies
- Roller Guide Shoes
- Active Magnetic Stabilization (High‑Speed Lifts)
14. Safety Systems
Braking
| Type | Dual Redundant Braking System |
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| Emergency Deceleration | 1.0–1.2 g |
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Fire Operation Mode
- Dedicated fire elevators
- Water‑resistant shafts
- Independent emergency power
Power Redundancy
- Dual Grid Connection
- Backup Generators
- UPS for Elevator Controls (2 Hours Minimum)
15. Structural Integration
Core Coupling
Elevator shafts integrate into the central core and connect through structural coupling levels that
provide stability and load sharing.
Load Transfer
Vertical loads transfer through the core structure. Dynamic elevator forces are absorbed by the tuned
mass damping system and the structural frame.
16. Space Allocation Summary
| Elevator Shafts | 450–600 m² |
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| Stair Cores | 200–300 m² |
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| Mechanical Shafts | ~150 m² |
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| Total Core Footprint | 900–1100 m² |
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17. System Integration Logic
- Elevators remain vertically aligned despite helical floor rotation.
- The central core remains straight while exterior floors rotate around it.
- Transfer floors act as passenger redistribution hubs.
- Structural stabilization points integrate with mechanical redistribution hubs.
- AI destination dispatch optimizes passenger movement across all zones.
18. Engineering Critical Notes
- Carbon fibre cable systems are mandatory for travel distances above 600 m.
- Double‑deck elevators reduce shaft count by ~30%.
- Sky lobby transfer systems reduce average travel time by ~40%.
- Emergency stairs remain straight for clear evacuation routes.
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All shafts, stair cores, machine rooms, and service spaces are coordinated with the structural
framework for reliability and maintainability.
19. Engineering Logic Summary
The vertical transportation system integrates high‑speed double‑deck elevators, service lifts, emergency
lifts, and straight stairways within the central core. Zoned passenger movement, distributed machine
rooms, carbon fibre hoisting technology, AI dispatch, and active sway compensation ensure safe, efficient
operation across the full 900 m height.
The vertically aligned transportation core operates independently of the rotating floor geometry,
ensuring precise elevator alignment, efficient load transfer, and compliance with international
life‑safety and vertical transportation standards.
