Week 2: Day 1

Monday May 22, 2010

For the first construction site visits, we split up into two groups and we went to two different sites. Group 1 went to The Kingdom of Sheba site and Group 2 went to The Conrad Hotel site.

Group 1: The Kingdom of Sheba

“The Kingdom of Sheba is a wonderful mix of two worlds”

Project scope:

• Kingdom of Sheba is located on the Palm of Dubai, on the Crescent Road providing unrestricted views across the gulf.
• The site area is about 700,000 ft²
• Built area is about 1,847,000 ft²
• Architectural style : Yemeni styled apartments and villas
• Total of 300 keys: 28 town houses, 34 villas (4 or 5 bedroom) and 238 apartments.
• Contractor: DCC
• Consultant: Holford Associates

Tour on site:

First the team went through site induction by Mr. Arich who explained the importance of PPE on site in addition to traffic safety measures. Also we were shown the assembly points, the facilities (fresh water, restrooms, praying room…) and smoking sections.

After site induction we were guided by Mr. Patt Doyle and Mr. Fergel through the site in order to check the different construction phases and different sections of the site. A total of approximately 2200 people work on site (1200 of DCC , 500 of MEP and 500 of subcontractors)

First we inspected the curing of the concrete slabs: Mesh fabric is put on the slabs and constantly kept hydrated. The mesh absorbs water and keeps a wet medium for the concrete during the curing phase. We also learned that there is a constant coordination between MEP and structural in order to insure plumbing without having to drill through concrete.

Then we moved to check the waterproofing of the substructure. Since the Palm area is basically at sea level, waterproofing is essential. Constant dewatering is required while working on foundations or the substructure. This lowers the water table. In order to waterproof smooth finishing is required then the team uses Geotextile material to protect the waterproofing after backfilling. Also, DCC uses Micro-carbon Inhibitor for concrete to add a 30 life span to it against corrosion. When it comes to smaller structures bitumen liquid is used to coat kitchen, toilets, etc... and a 24-hour test in performed to check.

We also went to check the villa’s architectural features: mortar is used to make the impression of bricks; a Yemeni pergola is placed on the outer porch. GRC is used to create designs on balconies with the Yemeni texture. In order to hide cracks shadow lines are used on the corners. We also saw later on the steel mesh they use when there are two different materials, also in order to avoid cracks.

Group 2: The Conrad Hotel

“The Grandeur of the Conrad Hotel”

Project Scope:

• Three basements, two podium levels, two mezzanines and 50 stories of business offices and deluxe hotel apartments.
• There will be an automated car park with lifts and mechanisms that take cars to and from their racks in about 30 seconds, located behind the tower.
• The car park and the tower are connected at Level 6 of the tower by a full length bridge that is covered by landscaping. Accessible from the tower, with a pool on the roof of the car park.
• Total height of the building is 255 meters
• Total built up area is 150,000 m²
• The podium area is primarily supported by a s pace truss
• Contractors: DCC and Arabtec (Joint Venture)

Tour:

After signing in at the entrance and going down into the cool basement for the meeting rooms, our group was given the general plans of the building and a safety overview for the site. The Conrad Hotel is a joint venture contract between two contraction companies, DCC and Arabtec, who previously worked together on the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai. This project is currently halfway done with the construction of the slabs and columns; the crucial piece between the two styles of the tower is currently getting ready to have the concrete poured into the pre-arranged reinforcement on site. We were also shown the piling and excavation that has been done for the technically advanced, automated car park.

The site was very hot, but when we went to the upper levels, there was a breeze, which broke our sweat, and we went through at least two or three bottles of water each! We were able to see the extremely large reinforcement that has been set into place for the transfer beam at the 24^th floor, where the building changes shape and the columns no longer line up on top of each other. This beam needs 40 mm steal reinforcement and is extremely heavy because it is the foundation for the rest of the structure, the 25 floors that are still to be constructed.

We finished our first tour of the construction site with a ride back down the passenger hoist to another floor where we were able to see the hollow core slabs that are used on every floor except the floor holding the heavy mechanical equipment, floor 23. The hollow core is quite impressive, and it saves weight and cost for the entire building to have specially designed slabs in this way. Everything on site looks amazing, and we are excited to see it again in a couple days.