KONE UltraRope elevator hoisting technology

[Praedura]

Came across an interesting item about a new elevator technology using carbon fiber cabling ropes developed by KONE.

The UltraRope cables are very lightweight and yet incredibly strong, thus enabling the moving masses required to propel the elevator to be significantly reduced. As such, energy requirements are lower and elevators could rise much higher than current technology allows. The resonant frequency of the carbon fibers also presumably make them far less susceptible to the effects of building sway.

Video on this here:



Supposedly, this new elevator technology would make buildings as tall as 1km feasible. That is about 4 times as tall as the Devon Tower. Daunting to think about. Current supertalls are about 500 meters, which is hitting the limit of what current elevators can handle.

Since they're more energy efficient (due to lower mass) even regular size highrises might benefit from this. However, for buildings smaller than Devon Tower, the benefits might not be as compelling. For the really tall buildings, the reduction in mass becomes extremely significant.

KONE's page for this is here:

KONE UltraRope - The benchmark in high-rise technology and innovation

Also, there is a note about it on this page, where it has earned an award for innovation by the CTBUH.

High-Rise Construction Innovations Recognized by CTBUH - High Rise Facilities

[BoulderSooner]

buildings as tall as 1k are already feasible .. burj khalifa is already over .8 k

[MikeLucky]

buildings as tall as 1k are already feasible .. burj khalifa is already over .8 k

To be fair... Burj Khalifa isn't quite 1k so TECHNICALLY his comment is accurate. But, also... if Burj Khalifa proves anything it's that a tower that tall is POSSIBLE... That still falls way short of the standard of making 1k buildings FEASIBLE. Just sayin....

[BoulderSooner]

To be fair... Burj Khalifa isn't quite 1k so TECHNICALLY his comment is accurate. But, also... if Burj Khalifa proves anything it's that a tower that tall is POSSIBLE... That still falls way short of the standard of making 1k buildings FEASIBLE. Just sayin....

the point is that what is holding up elevators has nothing to do with building tall building ...

it might make it possible for elevators to span more floors (up to 1k) .. but that is not close to the same thing

[Praedura]

buildings as tall as 1k are already feasible .. burj khalifa is already over .8 k

Perhaps "feasible" as in "technologically feasible" is not the right term. Maybe "more economically feasible" or "more practical" would be a better phrase.

[BoulderSooner]

Perhaps "feasible" as in "technologically feasible" is not the right term. Maybe "more economically feasible" or "more practical" would be a better phrase.

elevators being able to serve more floors .. has nothing to do with that except for convenience ..

[Martin]

the longest travel distance for elevators installed in the burj khalifa is 504m. i think the 1km claim is elevator travel distance, not building height. -M