Northeast Asia Trade Tower: The Crown Jewel of POSCO’s Innovative Technology

Today, Hello, POSCO brings exciting news: on July 10^th, POSCO Engineering & Construction completed the construction of Northeast Asia Trade Tower (NEAT), the country’s highest skyscraper in Songdo International Business District, Incheon in Korea! Standing 305m tall with 68 stories, NEAT Tower has been finally completed 8 years after construction began in 2006. The tower is not only the the tallest building in Korea, but also the crown jewel of POSCO’s leading innovative technology.

Revolutionary Features of Korea’s New Landmark, Northeast Asia Trade Tower

#1. 3-Dimensional Exterior Design Minimizes the Effect of Wind Load

POSCO Engineering & Construction, the construction arm of Korea’s top steelmaker POSCO, applied its most innovative and cutting-edge technology in the construction of NEAT Tower, the tallest building in Korea. To minimize the effect of wind load on the building, the tower was constructed under a 3-dimensional exterior design which features a trapezoid at the base which gradually transforms into a triangle at the top.

#2. Seismic Force Resisting System Utilizing Belt Truss and Outriggers

NEATT’ s main frame system consists of 27 perimeter columns, six corner mega columns, a core wall, and an outrigger/belt truss, all of which are systemically integrated. The core wall takes about 65% of the total gravity load and 70% of the total overturning moment due to wind load. The outrigger systems are installed on the 34^th and 65^th floors of NEATT and the structural design was performed in such a way that the axial load developed in columns due to the outrigger’s share of the overturning moment could also be resisted safely. The outrigger and belt system takes 30% of the overturning moment.

The core walls and columns of NEATT, an SRC structural building, were constructed with 12,841 tons of POSCO’s globally renowned high-strength reinforced concrete and SD40 reinforcing bars. The corner mega column was, for the first time in the construction of skyscrapers in Korea, built with 7,870 tons of SMC570TMC steel. The glass curtain wall enveloping the exterior was installed using low-emissivity glass. Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings are microscopically thin metal layers that are deposited on a window surface to help keep heat on the same side of the glass from which it originated. Glass with Low-E coatings reflect infrared light while allowing visible light, keeping the movement between interior and exterior heat to a minimum.

* Technical specifications of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower referenced from “NEATT Design of Structural System,” Dong Yang Structural Engineers Co., 2014.

#3. High Level Security and Anti-Disaster Measures

As the landmark building of Korea, Northeast Asia Trade Tower boasts high level security and anti-disaster measures. For example, it deployed global positioning system (GPS) sensors to help ensure the real-time measurement of vibration, displacement or deformation in the building caused by external factors, making it possible to preemptively identify any issues that could compromise the safety or structural integrity of the building. Additionally, the Seismic Force Resisting System can withstand magnitude 7-8 earthquakes.

In addition, the anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. The 30^th and 60^th floors each have a shelter that can accommodate up to 4,000 occupants safely and promptly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. The building has 29 elevators operating at a speed of 420 meters per minute and capable of carrying users from the ground floor to the observatory on the 65^th floor within one minute.

< The anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. >

Going Green: A Striking Example of Sustainable Design

NEATT serves as a model of sustainable design strategies, carefully balancing energy conservation, increased indoor environmental quality, and occupant comfort. With a range of passive design strategies such as daylighting, natural ventilation and energy-efficient HVAC systems, the tower targets to achieve LEED^® Silver certification.

Like other buildings in New Songdo City, NEATT purchases district hot water from a new, highly efficient cogeneration facility located nearby. Hot water, used for heating and cooling via absorption chillers, is generated from waste heat recovered during the process of producing electricity. The building is estimated to reduce source-energy CO2 emissions by 6,000 tons per year when compared to a “standard” code-compliant office tower with on-site electric chillers and a natural-gas boiler plant.

Furthermore, the paint, carpets and wallpaper used in the construction of the building’s interior were of eco-friendly, non-toxic material in order to prevent the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome.

* NEATT sustainability design features referenced from articles by ARUP and Built Expressions

<A Night View of the NEAT Tower and Songdo International Business District, Incheon>

The Northeast Asia Trade Tower is expected to boost the regional economy along with an increase in floating population, markets, employment and visitors from overseas once companies move into the building. Moreover, it appears to give momentum to draw more businesses to Songdo International Business District since clients of Daewoo International and other companies engaged in the related fields are expected to move into the building. We hope that NEAT tower will soon become Korea’s most well-known landmark in the days to come!