|
|
|
| |
Capital Gate is leaning towards a world record
posted on 07/12/2009
 The next time you are inclined to stand at a jaunty angle and take pictures of an iconic leaning tower, head to Abu Dhabi — not Rome where the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one
of the world's most recognisable building, leans.
The tipsy tower, as some call the 185-foot-tall white marble Tower of Pisa, was not supposed to lean. It was an accident.
But the world's largest leaning structure under construction in Abu Dhabi is not. The Dh8 billion Capital Gate, a techno-marvel designed by global architects RMJM, is being built to lean 18 degrees — that's 14 degrees more than the Seventh Wonder of the world.
"An application to the Guinness Book of Records has been submitted for the category of The World's Furthest Leaning Manmade Tower, and will be judged following the completion of Capital Gate's external façade towards the end of this year,” Tony Archibold, Associate Director at RMJM Dubai told the
Khaleej Times.
The structure's central core has now been topped off and has reached its final height of 525 feet.
"The topping out of the central core is a major milestone in the building's construction and we're moving forward swiftly with other elements as well,” said Archibold.
Last week also saw the completion of the steelwork on the external façade and diagrid structure which provides the buildings support along with the central core.
The completion of the glazing on the external façade, is expected to be complete by the first week of December.
"The first phase of the Splash, which sweeps down from the 17th floor of the tower over the top of the main ADNEC Grandstand, is expected to be complete before the end of the year,” said
Archibold.
"Fitting out and final additions to the building's overall structure
will occur throughout 2010.”
Work started on the site in August 2007 and the shell and core took approximately 27 months to complete. The challenges that RMJM faced — and continues to face — on this pioneering building that has broken new grounds have been numerous.
"These include the pre-cambered core, which meant building the steel frame and façade whilst the building itself was continuously moving; the unique nature of each piece of steel diagrid, which required custom fabrication of each one to very precise tolerances; managing the logistics and planning of the façade installation which is effectively like a huge jigsaw puzzle with each piece designed to fit in one specific location and, of course, the world record breaking incline and the resulting difficulties of contraction with such a pronounced overhang,” said Archibold.
The base of the structure is a concrete raft which is 2m deep solid concrete slab packed with reinforcement to allow it to resist the enormous forces acting on it.
"There are 490 piles that descend on average around 30m into the ground. Conventional piles are compression piles and are designed to resist descending vertical load. Due to the lean of the building some of the piles are in tension and are designed to resist ascending forces that would otherwise pull the pile from the ground,” explained Archibold.
The 35-storey Capital Gate will house Abu Dhabi's first Hyatt hotel — Hyatt at Capital Centre, a presidential style luxury 5-star hotel, which will provide 189 hotel rooms. This marvel will also offer the most exclusive office space in the capital. It is also by far the tallest structure in the area and, therefore, has panoramic views in all directions and is visible from most parts of the capital.
"The result is a building that is a delight to be in and which also serves as a key landmark and focal point for Abu Dhabi,” said Archibold. – Khaleej Times
RELATED ARTICLES
SCAD releases latest report on prices of building materials in Abu Dhabi - 15 January 2012
Existing buildings to be made more sustainable in Abu Dhabi - 15 January 2012
New walkway to link Metro to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall in 2013 - 04 January 2012
Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi launched at glittering gala - 04 December 2011
Railway plans for shifting sands - 27 November 2011
RETURN TO MAIN NEWS PAGE | WAM
UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
|
|
Home
