GROUP ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC : MEGA PROJECT

(Al-Dar HQ:Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates)

COURSE CODE BFC21002

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
COURSE NAME
CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT
FACULTY
1) MUHAMAD FARIS BIN AZAMI
(AF150085) S5
2) MUHAMMAD AMIRUL HAKIM BIN
MOHD YAACOB (AF160088) S6
3) SITI NORSYUHADAH BINTI MOHD
JELANI (AF160015) S6
4) NURUL FAZLIYANA BINTI ANDUL
RAHIM
MEMBERS OF GROUP (AF160044) S5

SECTION 5&6

LECTURER’S NAME ENCIK NIK MOHD ZAINI BIN NIK SOH

23 MAY 2018
DUE DATE

ASSIGNMENT
MARKS

PRESENTATION
MARKS

1
 CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGES

1 Introduction 3–4

2 Objectives 5

3 Pile / foundation 6–9

4 Body: 10 – 14

- Core structure
- Diagrid system
- External shell
- Restroom ‘POD’
- Glass Façade Design

5 Roof 15 – 16

6 Conclusion 17

7 Fila Table 18

8 References 19

9 Minutes meeting 20 – 21

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Background

Al Raha Beach was to be put on the world map and attract investors by creating an
identity for itself. This gave rise to an idea of building a signature iconic skyscraper.
Muhammad Al Mubaraq (Project in charge) states that “Vision of Al Dar was to create
almost a mini city where people can live, study, play and work in one destination”. Lebanese
Architect, Marwan Zgheib was selected to sketch the design. The Aldar HQ is situated on Al-
Raha Beach, a new city on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, and will be the first part of the
development to be completed and occupied on the site, which is eventually intended to house
more than 120,000 people. The building is visible from the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway,
which is used by commuters and travellers in their thousands every day.

It was envisioned as a city on the sea and the biggest project to be attempted in the
history of Abu Dhabi. With many iconic buildings in the nearby areas, there was an effort
made to define ‘the new extraordinary’. Al Dar group, which is the one of the largest
developer in Middle East and North Africa region, accepted the challenge of creating iconic
and complex project. They partner with Abu Dhabi government and aligned their business
with the Emirate’s “Vision 2030” strategy of economic diversification and social
infrastructure development.

The concept
The Al Dar Headquarters designed by MZ Architects has a distinctive and innovative
design which is a semi-spherical building comprising two circular convex shaped facades
linked by a narrow band of indented glazing. This iconic fully glazed structure is completely
circular in elevation and curved in all other directions. The Circle symbolizes unity, stability,
rationality. It also the symbol of infinity, without beginning or end, perfection, the ultimate
geometric symbol. It represents a completeness which encompasses all space and Time.

Figure 1: Clam shell as the main concept

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The project

This iconic 121m-tall commercial building is set to become the headquarters for
developer Aldar when fit out is completed towards the end of 2010. Originally designed by
MZ & Partners in Qatar in 2005, Arup became the lead consultant on the project and saw full
cores being completed within 12 months of the very first engineering concept sketch.

The project was developed in line with the US Green Building Council LEED rating system,
and offers 49,000 m2 of office space over 23 floors.

Awards

Al-Dar HQ got many awards and certification such as ‘Best Futuristic Design’ from
the Building Exchange Conference, ‘Best Office Development’ from Arabian Property
Awards, ‘Tekla Middle East BIM Awards’ from the Canopy, Highly Commended, Building
and Structures Category’ from Engineers Australia NSW Excellence Awards and ‘Silver
LEED Rating’ from Green Building Council (USA).

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2.0 OBJECTIVES

• To create almost a mini city where people can live, study, play and work in one
destination.

• To attract more investor.

• To create new extraordinary structure.

• To capture sustainable returns for our shareholders through development, investment

and management of quality real estate assets that fulfil our customer needs while
offering a rewarding and dynamic work environment for our employees.

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3.0 PILE / FOUNDATION

The solid ground did not exists as the site was in the sea (700 m in Persian Gulf and 8
m under water). Larger grain molecules of marine sand were used to create base as they stick
together firmly. In all 20 million cubic meter of sand was used. Sand was pumped through the
floating pipes to the construction site. Al Dar HQ Abu Dhabi building is rested on a weak soil
formation which can`t resist the loads coming from the building.

THEN NOW

3.1 Step of installation pile:

Bored pile is suitable to build high rise building such as Al-Dar HQ. This is because
of bore pile widely used and can be constructed in most soil condition and over water. By
using bore pile can reduce costs of mobilizing, less noise and vibration and the most
important is size of shafts can easily be changed during construction.

To build this building, concrete piles are usually used in marine conditions since steel
piles are susceptible to corrosion in marine conditions. Timber piles is not the most suitable
type under marine conditions because it can be attacked by boring molluscs. On land,
concrete piles are not the best choice, especially where the soil contains sulphates or other
harmful substances. Half of concrete piles work on friction with ground to secure structure to
sand. Other than half, are driven deep into the ground to transfer load of the building to the
ground. For structure over water, such as wharves and jetties, driven piles or driven cast-in-
places (in which the shell remains in place) are most suitable. While driven deep piles into
the ground, damage may occur in the piles. Piles may get laterally displaced. So the length of
pile should be estimated before driving commences.

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 1) Firstly, do the setting out which determine the location of column point, offset the pile
location.
2) Next, study on cut of level (COL). After that, excavate the soil until reached the cut of
level.
3) Prepare access or platform for piling machine.
4) Study the spot level or existing load.
5) Calculate the different load for each pile point.
6) Plan the d process (for vertical or racked pile)
7) Check the calculation with actual survey data and confirm the position of pile point.
8) Next, start with the pre drilling.
9) Drill the pile shaft and install the temporary casing.
10) The soil is removed and remove the casing before hardened. The pile base is
extended.
11) Clean the pile shaft by placing tremie pipe to base of shaft (tremie is cast-in-situ
which do everything at site and not ready made)
12) The permanent liner and reinforcement cage is installed.
13) Lastly, clean the pile shaft again.
14) Concreting.

3.2 Raft Foundation:

Building foundation is an underground structure that directly in contact with the soil
and spread the load building to the ground so as the limit the soil settlement of the building.
In circumstances, it is also to withstand the wind pressure. The function of foundation is to
spread the load of building structures to the broader and stronger area. The load is spreading
uniformly and constantly (avoid differential settlement). Besides that, foundation also
increase the stability of structure by holding the frame of building strongly especially in high
rise buildings.

For good foundation design, we must considered with some criteria such as type of soil,
loading of building (big load need big foundation such as raft foundation or piling), most
economical, the soil condition (prevent the presence of sulphate and other materials that can
degrade the foundation materials), the capability of structure that will safely transfer the loads
and ensure that there are no movements during or after construction.

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 Before do raft slab, water was pumped out continuously from sand into the sea to prevent
site from getting water logged. 12000 cubic meter of concrete was used to construct the raft
foundation. Which takes the building weight of about 59000 tons. A raft foundation spread
the weight of the building over the whole ground area of that building. The raft is laid on hard
core, or scalping bed and usually thickened at the edges, especially in very poor ground. The
raft foundation is built because the soil has a low bearing capacity so the weight of the
building needs to be spread out over a large area to create a stable foundation. Raft
foundations are built in this following steps; the soil removed down to correct depth, the
foundation bed is then compacted by ramming. After that, lay reinforcement spacers over the
foundation bed and lastly pour 12000 cubic meter of concrete over the reinforcement.

Figure 2: Process of Raft Foundation

Then, raft slab was casted on the piles to make sure the foundation more strong. Raft
slab creates barrier against surging water, stops piles from patching up through building and
act as a snow shoe.

Figure 3: Raft Slab

After raft foundations has been established, pile caps were constructed. Pile caps were
being inspected for their strength. The severe forces from the raft had to be borne by these piles
and transfer them to the earth effectively. Pile cap transfers the load form the structures to a
pile, then the load further transfer to form soil. Pile caps are thus incorporated to tie the pile
heads together so that individual pile movement and settlement is greatly increased.

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3.3 Step Installation of Pile Cap:

Pile cap is function to distribute structural loads to pile, tie piles together as a unit,
laterally stabilize individual piles thus increasing overall stability of the group and to provide
necessary combined resistance to stresses set up by the superstructure and ground movement.

Stage 1:

1) Study cut of level and excavate until cut of level.

2) Check the soil stability.
3) Mark the actual cut of level for each pile.
4) The pile is cut by using the concrete diamond cutter.
5) Before cutting, the pile is tied up to mobile crane (to prevent from falling)
6) Then, the excess pile is removed.

Stage 2:

7) Installing the lean concrete by using (Grade 15) to avoid fresh concrete from
damage.
8) Study the level of pile cap, column stump and ground beam.
9) Install rebar (reinforcement bar).
10) Install formwork (to firm pile cap).
11) Recheck or inspection the rebar.
12) Concreting.

Figure 4: Setting the pile cap

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4.0 BODY

4.1 Core Structures:

 Two separate pieces of concrete acted as backbone for the building. They transferred
loads to the piles

 These concrete cores rose from Raft slab till the top level of the building.
 These cores were heavily reinforced with steel and were bound together closely. It
was a heavy mesh design specified by the engineers

 Slip forms were used to create continuous concrete cores without any joints.
 The forms moved up as the construction proceed

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  Giant molds take the poured concrete to form the desired shape.
 Seamless concrete cores provide the required strength to the cores

4.2 Diagrid System:

Diagrid is a system of triangulated beams, straight or curved, and horizontal rings that
together make up a structural system for a skyscraper. Diagrid system is a design for
constructing large buildings with steel that creates triangular structures with horizontal support
ring and it is one of the most innovative construction technique to be used nowadays. These
system helps to minimize the impact of the steel structure in the façade. The diagrid system
eliminates the need for internal column to support the construction, improving building
efficiency and also providing design flexibility for tenants. The triangular configuration of
diagrid makes it feasible for them to carry both gravity as well as lateral loads and provide the
desired stability to the structure.

Tall buildings act as vertical cantilevers for diagrid systems. The use of member at base
is to resist moment and member on top is to resist shear. As the exterior diagrid tube is
comprised of diamond shapes, triangulation is achieved where the floor edge beams tie into the
grid. Ring beams are tied to diagrid at floor edges to transfer loads via floor slabs to the vertical
cores. To manage the eccentric loading and keep the building stable, the shape is symmetric.
The foundation receives evenly distributed forces through these curved members. These
diagrid system for façade helps tackle the lateral loads caused by winds and helps to achieve
the desired aesthetics of architect.

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4.3 External Shell:

The design of vast external shell had to be heavy to support the wide girth and survive
wind load. Diagrid system was thus used as a viable solution. The shape of building will be
formed by a muscular but slender steel frame. The forces will be channelized to the core by
high strength beams and joints. It was a first time this system was used in UAE.

The Army of fabricators worked in shifts around the clock to cut and weld 2500 tonnes
of steel. The A frame were bolted to the base plate (each weighing 30 tons). ‘A’ shaped
structures were connected in series to form the signature curves of the structure. Lifting these
‘A’ forms in to position on site were a major challenges. These A frames were lifted by cranes
and put into their desired location where they were being bolted.

For the glass, they used glass façade design which used triangular pieces as a module
of glass façade. These triangular pieces had to withstand the wind pressure as the large facades
are most likely to cause trouble. So, a glass factory was setup on site to manufacture these
special type of glass and also to speed up the construction process as it minimized the
transportation time. A vortex is created on narrow edges of glass where the wind spirals around
itself and a strong suction force will occur. Hence to tackle this issue the glass here was made
thicker and frame was made stronger.

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4.4 Restroom ‘POD’:

In all there are 86 Restrooms in the overall building. To speed up construction these
were predesigned as a ‘POD’ with built in fixtures and fitted in the building.

Restroom ‘POD’

These predesigned units were inserted from the roof slab opening into the desired
location. All the fittings and fixtures were installed in the single units of restrooms.

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4.5 Glass Facade Design:

Triangular pieces were used as a module of glass façade. They had an advantage of
being able to pivot on three sides to give desired curve. This three faceted building relies on its
zipper like element, a continuous glass and structural band that is both vertical and horizontal,
side and face, window and roof.

A glass factory was setup on site to manufacture these special type of glass and also to
speed up the construction process as it minimized the transportation time

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5.0 ROOF

A roof is part of a building envelope. It is the covering on the uppermost part of a

building or shelter. Function of roof is to provides protection from animals and weather,
notably rain or snow, but also heat, wind and sunlight and also to accommodate all stress
encountered and to accept movement due to changes in temperature and moisture content.

From building Al Dar Headquarters, the project challenges the construction approach
by questioning the typical structure of the roof. This building based on three sides "zipper
element" as a third hand, a continuous structural glass band connecting the two main fronts
creating a thin, continuous surface that is both horizontal and vertical front and side windows
and roof. This lateral element, the "backbone" project structure creates a brilliant fusion
between façade and roof, allowing monolithic object.

The type of roof of Al Dar Headquarters use is steel roof trusses. Even though they are
considered to be more expensive, steel roof trusses can span further than wood. Advantages of
using steel roof trusses is:

 Steel roof trusses can be manufactured to exact standards.

 They are much more lightweight and this allows for larger shipments. This reduces the
time it takes to get to the project site.
 Steel roof trusses are fire resistant.
 They are compatible with almost all types of roofing systems.
 Steel roof trusses are recyclable and therefore environmentally friendly.

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6.0 CONCLUSION

As we know, construction engineering is a professional discipline that deals with the

designing, planning, construction, and management of infrastructures such as roads, tunnels,
bridges, airports, railroads, facilities, buildings, dams, utilities and other projects. For our
project we have to study the methods of construction of any building. The building we chose
is Abu Dhabi Al Dar Headquarters. The methods of construction from Al Dar Headquarters is
pile/foundation, external shell/diagrid system, core structure, and roof.

What we can conclude from our observation is Al Dar Headquarters is a fine example
of transforming breakthrough simple concept into reality. It stands firmly on a site formed in
the sea by using diaphragm walls, piles foundation and raft slab. The key features are two
concrete cores and the curved glass facade. Besides, diagrid system for facade helps tackle the
lateral loads caused by winds and helps to achieve the desired aesthetics of architect.

Based on all content and observation that we do, we achieved our objective of project
where we can analyses the methods of construction. With our limitation and obstruction of
project, we satisfied with information that we get from video construction of Al Dar
Headquarters and some of the articles. From that we have learn many things and new
knowledge that we get.

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7.0 FILA TABLE

FACTS IDEAS LEARNING ISSUES ACTIONS

1. 400 concrete 1. Driven piles 1. How to make 1. Find

piles were deep into the sure the soil information
driven into the ground to structure is through
ground. transfer capable to secure Youtube, web
immense load of structure and search, and
2. 16m deep building. immense load of discussion in
diaphragm building. group.
walls was built. 2. Proposed a
designed walls 2. What are the 2. Analyse the
3. 12,000m3 of to secure the elements need to problem and
concrete used foundation of consider to structure based
to construct raft the building. prevent the sea on site and
foundation. water to enter the condition.
3. Creates barrier foundation of
4. Design of against surging building. 3. Collect and
external shell water, stop piles gather all the
need to be from punching 3. How to construct information
heavy (diagrid up through building in windy related in a
system). building. area. report form.

5. Triangular 4. Form the shape 4. How to speed up 4. Present by

pieces were of building by the construction group to
used as a muscular but process and lecturer.
module of glass slender steel minimized the
façade. frame. transportation
time.
5. Glass factory
was set up on
the site.

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8.0 REFERENCES

 https://www.slideshare.net/OthmanOthman7/aldar-headqaurter
 http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-10113-case-study-aldar-
headquarters-abu-dhabi/
 https://www.slideshare.net/NikhilJaiswal32/al-dar-hq-70817277
 https://www.slideshare.net/CarlaFaner/aldar-headquarters-building

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 MINUTES OF 1st MEETING

Date : 5 MAY 2018

Time : 9.00 a.m.
Vanue : G3 – CAFE

1) Address by Chairperson.
 The chairperson called the meeting at 9.00 a.m. and thanked the committee members
for being present. She mentioned that the purposed of this meeting was to choose the
aspects to be related to our project.

2) Briefing.
 We were given a briefing on our project by the lecturer. That we have to choose any
building for our study of methods of construction.

 We discuss the building that we have to choose.

 After some discussion, all of the group members agreed to choose Al Dar
Headquarters building.

 The chairperson has assigned all of the group members to give their ideas on what
kind of project we want to produce on the next meeting.

3) Conclusion.
 The chairperson summarized the decisions made by the group members.

The meeting adjourned at 11.00 a.m. with a vote of thanks to the meeting members

Attendance:

NAME MATRIC NO.

MUHAMMAD AMIRUL HAKIM BIN MOHD YAACOB AF160088

SITI NORSYUHADAH BINTI JELANI AF160168

NURUL FAZLIYANA BINTI ABDUL RAHIM AF160044

MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN AZAMI AF150085

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 MINUTES OF 2nd MEETING

Date : 12 MAY 2018

Time : 9.00 a.m.
Vanue : G3 - CAFE

Present : All group members

1) Address by Chairperson.
 The chairperson called the meeting at 9.00 a.m. and thanked the group members for
being present. He mentioned that the purposed of this meeting was to discuss the
progress of work and preparation of Final Report Project.

2) Confirmation minutes of last meeting.

 The minutes of the last meeting was distributed, and signed as a true record of it.

3) Project information and details.

 All group members were discussed about the methods of construction.

4) Conclusion.
 The chairperson summarized the decisions made by the group members
regarding of our project, every member have their own task to do and must be
complete before the due date to submit the final report.

Attendance:

NAME MATRIC NO.

MUHAMMAD AMIRUL HAKIM BIN MOHD YAACOB AF160088

SITI NORSYUHADAH BINTI JELANI AF160168

NURUL FAZLIYANA BINTI ABDUL RAHIM AF160044

MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN AZAMI AF150085

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