On Monday, June 6th, both teams visited the sewage treatment plant (STP) located in Dubai Motor City which provides odor control, waste water treatment and sludge treatment on incoming sewage for the emirate of Dubai. The STP is open top (exposed to the atmosphere during treatment) and has a capacity of 8000 m3 per day.
The wastewater treatment process consists of preliminary, secondary/primary and final phases. Preliminary treatment begins as raw wastewater is pumped from the lifting station to a 6 mm coarse screen, grit and grease removal system and 1 mm fine screen. The preliminary phases serve primarily to separate large particles from the raw wastewater. To ensure nitrification and denitrification, the wastewater is pumped into an anoxic tank where it is mixed without oxygen and then pumped into an aerobic tank where it is mixed with oxygen.
The wastewater is subject to secondary treatment within the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The open top membrane bioreactor is the core clarification, aeration and treatment system in the plant.
The Zenon MBR system includes an aerobic tank and membrane tank containing 0.1-micron-pore hollow-fiber membranes. The open top MBR produces effluent in accordance to water quality standards set by Dubai Municipalities. The MBR handles the discharge of treated wastewater, disinfection, nitrogen reduction and phosphorus removal of the water. The final treated wastewater product is appropriate for re-use for irrigation of city landscapes and other acceptable applications.
Dubai Motor City STP provides an invaluable service to the city of Dubai. Clean water is a scarce commodity in the arid region of Dubai; therefore proper wastewater treatment methods are crucial in maintaining sufficient quality of life.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Abu Dhabi Visit (Team 1)
Today we visited the ADNEC tower in Abu Dhabi. The ADNEC, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, tower is a residential building which has one, two and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses. There are 267 apartments in total. The entire building has four basements levels, a ground level, two mezzanine levels 21 stories, a roof and an upper roof. The tower as a whole measures 100m. The four basement levels are the parking area, which have 418 proposed parking spaces. ADNEC tower has a built-up area of 60,000 m2 and a project cost of AED 216 million. The duration of the project is 22 months but currently the project is 75 days ahead on the concrete work. The tower has a raft foundation that varies in thickness from one to three meters. There are tension piles under the south and west sides of the building. The weight on the east side of the building needs to be balanced out on the west side. The tension piles even this weight distribution out. The slabs in the building are post tensioned. This requires conduits to be put in the slab and strands pulled through the conduits. These strands are
tensioned after the concrete has began to cure.
ADNEC was an extremely clean site and we were all very impressed. DCC has stressed to us the importance of a clean and orderly site and their persistence has paid off as the project is about 2 months ahead of schedule.
On Tuesday June 7th, the team went back to Abu Dhabi to the ADNEC tower. Mr. Superman, the project manager, gave us another tour of the building and then took us to the upper floors to view the concrete curing and the post-tensioning. Anthony El Khoury then went up the tower crane along with the safety officer to view how the crane operator works.
After lunch at Holiday Inn Hotel, Mr. Jihad Choueiri took the team to a completed site, the Guardian Towers, on which he was the project manager. It was designed by ERGA Progress, DCC's partners. The towers have 17 floors, 2 podium floors, and 4 basements. The towers only share the podium and basement floors, and one of them is a residential tower with 208 apartments, and the other is an office tower.
Mr. Choueiri then showed us the finishes in each tower. He told us the tile names and type of finish in the office lift lobby, the residential lift lobby and apartments, and the basement parking area. One of the unique aspects of this project was the exterior cladding, which was all angled and required eact dimensions to place the aluminum.
tensioned after the concrete has began to cure.
ADNEC was an extremely clean site and we were all very impressed. DCC has stressed to us the importance of a clean and orderly site and their persistence has paid off as the project is about 2 months ahead of schedule.
On Tuesday June 7th, the team went back to Abu Dhabi to the ADNEC tower. Mr. Superman, the project manager, gave us another tour of the building and then took us to the upper floors to view the concrete curing and the post-tensioning. Anthony El Khoury then went up the tower crane along with the safety officer to view how the crane operator works.
After lunch at Holiday Inn Hotel, Mr. Jihad Choueiri took the team to a completed site, the Guardian Towers, on which he was the project manager. It was designed by ERGA Progress, DCC's partners. The towers have 17 floors, 2 podium floors, and 4 basements. The towers only share the podium and basement floors, and one of them is a residential tower with 208 apartments, and the other is an office tower.
Mr. Choueiri then showed us the finishes in each tower. He told us the tile names and type of finish in the office lift lobby, the residential lift lobby and apartments, and the basement parking area. One of the unique aspects of this project was the exterior cladding, which was all angled and required eact dimensions to place the aluminum.
Lunch at Atlantis
The LAU students went to the Atlantis on Friday June 3, 2011. We were so excited when we arrived at 10:30 am. It was too crowded, so we did not found any place where we can put our towels and bags, but fortunately after 30 minutes of searching we were able to put our stuff on the beach. We really enjoyed water games. The water park is very huge so that we got lost sometimes and we spent time to search each other!! We had a delicious lunch at Shark pites.
Tuesday, June 7th (Team 1)
On Tuesday, June 7th, our team went to the Kingdom of Sheba and the Fairmont Hotel, both of which are located on the Palm Jumeirah. The Kingdom of Sheba is a large development that includes the Balquis Residence, the Heritage Place, and 34 free standing villas. The Balquis will consist of apartments and penthouses and the Heritage will consist of residential space. The Balquis and the villas are currently under construction. We were able to see a mock-up in one of the villas—they are absolutely amazing! Each penthouse and villa has a hot tub and a pool.
Then, we went to the Fairmont Palm Hotel and Resort. The building includes a basement, a beach floor, an entrance floor, and 14 additional floors. The same client owns both the Kingdom of Sheba and the Fairmont Hotel. The building includes a ball room, restaurants, lounges, and pools. The upper floors of the building hold penthouses with stunning views of the Palm and the Dubai skyline.
We then returned to the office. Mr. Ian Harper, DCC’s Contract Director, gave us a lecture about contract management. He explained the meaning of delays and disputes and their causes. The lecture included many real life examples which made the impact of delays and disputes on the progress of any project clearer. Mr. Harper also explained that delays could be caused either by the client or by the contractor.
Then, the lecture went on to explain extensions of time. In summary, extensions of time are extensions of the working contract period in which the contractor should have completed the works. They are usually governed by strict clauses to avoid the contract completion being fully discarded and the contractor’s obligation being reduced to completing the project within a reasonable amount of time.
At the end, there was an explanation about the methods of dispute resolution which ranges from negotiation to litigation and arbitration. Mr. Harper advised us not to go to arbitration because it is a lengthy process which consumes time and money.
This lecture was the third and final part of the lectures that were presented by Mr. Ian Harper and we would like to thank him for making it possible for us to learn more about construction management from an expert’s point of view.
Balquis Residence
Villas at the Kingdom of Sheba
View of the Palm from Fairmont Hotel penthouse
Then, we went to the Fairmont Palm Hotel and Resort. The building includes a basement, a beach floor, an entrance floor, and 14 additional floors. The same client owns both the Kingdom of Sheba and the Fairmont Hotel. The building includes a ball room, restaurants, lounges, and pools. The upper floors of the building hold penthouses with stunning views of the Palm and the Dubai skyline.
We then returned to the office. Mr. Ian Harper, DCC’s Contract Director, gave us a lecture about contract management. He explained the meaning of delays and disputes and their causes. The lecture included many real life examples which made the impact of delays and disputes on the progress of any project clearer. Mr. Harper also explained that delays could be caused either by the client or by the contractor.
Then, the lecture went on to explain extensions of time. In summary, extensions of time are extensions of the working contract period in which the contractor should have completed the works. They are usually governed by strict clauses to avoid the contract completion being fully discarded and the contractor’s obligation being reduced to completing the project within a reasonable amount of time.
At the end, there was an explanation about the methods of dispute resolution which ranges from negotiation to litigation and arbitration. Mr. Harper advised us not to go to arbitration because it is a lengthy process which consumes time and money.
This lecture was the third and final part of the lectures that were presented by Mr. Ian Harper and we would like to thank him for making it possible for us to learn more about construction management from an expert’s point of view.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Burj Al Salam-Team 2 (Engineers of Tomorrow)
Team 2 went to Salam Tower for three days as well, while Team 1 went to the Conrad Hotel and Abu Dhabi. Salam Tower is a mix-use building with three different towers all connected. They include residential, hotel, and office building and will also contain retail areas on the first couple floors. The first day we went on the roof and looked at the reinforcement in the post-tension slab before they poured it. And also saw how they use the machine to do the actual post-tensioning of a slab. On the roof we also saw reinforcement for the circular and rectangular columns. Inside the building we were able to see the gypsum walls and how they insulate them.
The second day we learned all of the details of laying block work. In Salam, they use a special lightweight block that is easy to break and saw through. First thing we did was draw the layout of one of the residential rooms on the concrete floor. It proved to be harder than it looked to have all of the correct dimensions and straight lines. Next, we went up to another floor and learned how to lay the blocks. The first thing you do is either put mesh of a fishtail on the wall depending on the level they alternate. Then you use mortar if a block is being laid on top of a block, but if it is touching concrete you must use both special lightweight mortar a rougher one. We were all able to shoot the gun to put the fishtail in place and every other aspect of block work from layout to aligning the blocks.
On the third day we got a more in depth tour of the residential tower and the steel car park. We watched the workers do fireproofing on the steel structure. On the roof of the car park will be a gym and roof and we watched them put this structure together as well as the casting of the roof slab. Ryan, who was an intern last year is now a site engineer on the project and took us on a brief tour where he showed many details of finishes that will be in the hotel and residential areas. We saw the beginning of mock up rooms which are built for the client to visualize what the rooms will look like. Our team greatly enjoyed our experience on this site and took away valuable information for our future.
The second day we learned all of the details of laying block work. In Salam, they use a special lightweight block that is easy to break and saw through. First thing we did was draw the layout of one of the residential rooms on the concrete floor. It proved to be harder than it looked to have all of the correct dimensions and straight lines. Next, we went up to another floor and learned how to lay the blocks. The first thing you do is either put mesh of a fishtail on the wall depending on the level they alternate. Then you use mortar if a block is being laid on top of a block, but if it is touching concrete you must use both special lightweight mortar a rougher one. We were all able to shoot the gun to put the fishtail in place and every other aspect of block work from layout to aligning the blocks.
On the third day we got a more in depth tour of the residential tower and the steel car park. We watched the workers do fireproofing on the steel structure. On the roof of the car park will be a gym and roof and we watched them put this structure together as well as the casting of the roof slab. Ryan, who was an intern last year is now a site engineer on the project and took us on a brief tour where he showed many details of finishes that will be in the hotel and residential areas. We saw the beginning of mock up rooms which are built for the client to visualize what the rooms will look like. Our team greatly enjoyed our experience on this site and took away valuable information for our future.
Syracuse University Interns Head to India
DAY 1
On Thursday, the SU interns landed in Delhi, India. We met our tour guide, Karan, at the airport and got on a tourist bus to begin our 6-hour drive to Agra. It’s safe to say that we experienced some culture shock from we what saw on the first day. The traffic in Delhi was complete chaos, and it seemed as if no one was following traffic laws. Over the next six hours, we witnessed a large amount of poverty. It was depressing to see people living in these conditions and the extent to which they were lacking basic human necessities. We saw many places where people lived in shacks made of whatever they could find, and they had no clean drinking water. It was truly an eye-opening experience to see the differences between a developed place like Dubai and an underdeveloped one like India. Although many of the things we saw were difficult to witness, it was a great cultural experience to have in our lives. We all spent much of the ride sleeping, but once we arrived in Agra, we checked-in at the Gateway Hotel.
Our main reason for visiting Agra was to see the Taj Mahal. Upon entering the gates to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, we saw one of the most beautiful buildings ever built. Our tour guide continued to recite facts about the history and construction of the Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The construction of this mausoleum employed thousands of workers and took 22 years to complete. As studying civil engineers, we were all impressed with the perfection and detail of this engineering feat that was built with 15th-century technology. We picked a good time to visit because we were there as the sun was setting.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel to go dinner at an Indian Restaurant. We all ate until we were full. We spent the rest of our evening bartering at shops in the lobby of the hotel and relaxing in our rooms to prepare for our trip back to Delhi in the morning.
DAY 2
In the morning, we had a breakfast buffet at the Gateway Hotel and boarded the bus for our long drive from Agra to Delhi. After arriving in Delhi, we went to the Qutab Minar Complex. This complex includes several of monuments and buildings that initially served as ancient Hindu temples. The main tower on the complex, Qutab Minar, is the tallest brick minaret in the world, and has five distinct levels with balconies. Looking up the tower, each level tapers off, starting with a diameter of 15 meters at the base, but ending at 3 meters diameter. Our tour guide showed us up the steps outside of the Qutab Minar, but we could not continue any further because there was a precautionary drill taking place. As tourists, we were ushered down the steps, outside of the Qutab Minar. We waited outside the tower for a few minutes and took a few group pictures with the minaret in the background, but quickly split up because the locals were also taking pictures of us.
After getting lunch at the Rendezvous Café nearby, we went to Humayun’s Tomb. This site holds the remains of Mogul Emperor Humayun and members of his family. We walked through a set of buildings before reaching the main tomb of Emperor Humayun. This building strikingly resembles the Taj Mahal, and was built before it. The Taj Mahal included changes that were needed in Humayun’s Tomb to improve the structure of the Taj Mahal.
After Humayun’s Tomb, we traveled to the downtown area of Delhi to take photos of the government buildings of India. We saw the Parliament building that includes the upper and lower house, as well as the Indian Air Force building, and the President’s Palace in the distance. It was interesting to see members of the Indian military roaming the area with rifles, at locations still relatively far from the major government buildings. Also, the tour guide told us that the President of India just serves as a face for the world and does not have any authoritative power. However, this protection is probably similar to what we have in the United States, even though we may have been intimidated in India.
To conclude our tour for the day, we visited a Hindu temple, Shri Lakshmi Narain Temple. We had to take off our shoes and were not allowed to bring in our cameras or cell phones, unless we paid the fee. We learned about the different Hindu gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, among others. The different gods are regarded in different respects based on importance and power.
Once the tour of the Temple concluded, we boarded the bus for the Shangri La Hotel in New Delhi. This five-star hotel had a magnificent entryway, different restaurants on the upper floors, and a pool on the ground level with a green landscape background. We went to dinner at a restaurant the served Asian cuisine. We selected the Chinese menú for the entire table, and we were able to sample various appetizers, meals, and desserts off of the prepared menu. After dinner, we all relaxed for the rest of the night and tried to get some sleep for our third and final day in India.
DAY3
Saturday was our last day in India. We awoke early in order to make the most of the day. We ate breakfast at the buffet provided by the hotel. We left the hotel around 8:30am and headed to Rajghat, the final resting place of Gandhi’s remains. The grounds had a large amount of grassland and vegetation. Shoes were not allowed as a sign of respect.
We made our way across town to Old Delhi and the Islamic Mosque. This mosque was a local prayer center. The men had to cover their legs and females had to cover all skin. This provided a good opportunity for a picture. Instead of white marble of the Taj Mahal the mosque was constructed from red sandstone. It had an open courtyard which would fill up during prayer hours. The courtyard stone got quite hot in the Indian sun, burning our feet as we walked around. Once again as we lined up the take pictures, locals quickly snapped pictures of our group.
On Thursday, the SU interns landed in Delhi, India. We met our tour guide, Karan, at the airport and got on a tourist bus to begin our 6-hour drive to Agra. It’s safe to say that we experienced some culture shock from we what saw on the first day. The traffic in Delhi was complete chaos, and it seemed as if no one was following traffic laws. Over the next six hours, we witnessed a large amount of poverty. It was depressing to see people living in these conditions and the extent to which they were lacking basic human necessities. We saw many places where people lived in shacks made of whatever they could find, and they had no clean drinking water. It was truly an eye-opening experience to see the differences between a developed place like Dubai and an underdeveloped one like India. Although many of the things we saw were difficult to witness, it was a great cultural experience to have in our lives. We all spent much of the ride sleeping, but once we arrived in Agra, we checked-in at the Gateway Hotel.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel to go dinner at an Indian Restaurant. We all ate until we were full. We spent the rest of our evening bartering at shops in the lobby of the hotel and relaxing in our rooms to prepare for our trip back to Delhi in the morning.
DAY 2
In the morning, we had a breakfast buffet at the Gateway Hotel and boarded the bus for our long drive from Agra to Delhi. After arriving in Delhi, we went to the Qutab Minar Complex. This complex includes several of monuments and buildings that initially served as ancient Hindu temples. The main tower on the complex, Qutab Minar, is the tallest brick minaret in the world, and has five distinct levels with balconies. Looking up the tower, each level tapers off, starting with a diameter of 15 meters at the base, but ending at 3 meters diameter. Our tour guide showed us up the steps outside of the Qutab Minar, but we could not continue any further because there was a precautionary drill taking place. As tourists, we were ushered down the steps, outside of the Qutab Minar. We waited outside the tower for a few minutes and took a few group pictures with the minaret in the background, but quickly split up because the locals were also taking pictures of us.
After getting lunch at the Rendezvous Café nearby, we went to Humayun’s Tomb. This site holds the remains of Mogul Emperor Humayun and members of his family. We walked through a set of buildings before reaching the main tomb of Emperor Humayun. This building strikingly resembles the Taj Mahal, and was built before it. The Taj Mahal included changes that were needed in Humayun’s Tomb to improve the structure of the Taj Mahal.
After Humayun’s Tomb, we traveled to the downtown area of Delhi to take photos of the government buildings of India. We saw the Parliament building that includes the upper and lower house, as well as the Indian Air Force building, and the President’s Palace in the distance. It was interesting to see members of the Indian military roaming the area with rifles, at locations still relatively far from the major government buildings. Also, the tour guide told us that the President of India just serves as a face for the world and does not have any authoritative power. However, this protection is probably similar to what we have in the United States, even though we may have been intimidated in India.
To conclude our tour for the day, we visited a Hindu temple, Shri Lakshmi Narain Temple. We had to take off our shoes and were not allowed to bring in our cameras or cell phones, unless we paid the fee. We learned about the different Hindu gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, among others. The different gods are regarded in different respects based on importance and power.
Once the tour of the Temple concluded, we boarded the bus for the Shangri La Hotel in New Delhi. This five-star hotel had a magnificent entryway, different restaurants on the upper floors, and a pool on the ground level with a green landscape background. We went to dinner at a restaurant the served Asian cuisine. We selected the Chinese menú for the entire table, and we were able to sample various appetizers, meals, and desserts off of the prepared menu. After dinner, we all relaxed for the rest of the night and tried to get some sleep for our third and final day in India.
DAY3
Saturday was our last day in India. We awoke early in order to make the most of the day. We ate breakfast at the buffet provided by the hotel. We left the hotel around 8:30am and headed to Rajghat, the final resting place of Gandhi’s remains. The grounds had a large amount of grassland and vegetation. Shoes were not allowed as a sign of respect.
We made our way across town to Old Delhi and the Islamic Mosque. This mosque was a local prayer center. The men had to cover their legs and females had to cover all skin. This provided a good opportunity for a picture. Instead of white marble of the Taj Mahal the mosque was constructed from red sandstone. It had an open courtyard which would fill up during prayer hours. The courtyard stone got quite hot in the Indian sun, burning our feet as we walked around. Once again as we lined up the take pictures, locals quickly snapped pictures of our group.
Our next event was easily the highlight for the most of us. We all took a ride through the side streets of Old Delhi on a two person Rikshaw, or bike with carriage. As all of our drivers raced through the busy streets we were exposed to many sights, smells that we were not accustomed to. Overwhelmed with beeping and shouting we momentarily found ourselves stuck in a traffic jam. The end of the Rikshaw ride left us at the gate of the Red Fort.
This massive royal family fort was constructed in a mere 10 years. The fort lies along the Yamuna River which feed the moat surrounding the fort. Our tour guide has a lot to say about the fort. As we walked along the sweltering heat he explained how much of the fort is still in it original form. We walked through the Archeological Museum before we made our way back to the entrance to participate in more bargaining for souvenirs.
As we made our way to the airport we briefly stopped at Bengali, a local traditional sweets shop. Our tour guide Karan led the way as he suggested the best sweets to get. Thanks to his direction we were greatly satisfied with the selection. Arriving at the Delhi airport, strict security measures were enforced to just enter the airport. We said our final goodbyes to India as our plane departed back to Dubai just after 4pm.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
E-construct Visit, June 4th 2011
The LAU students visit today e-construct offices at the Dubai Internet city. Mr. Jack Kara’a gave us a brief introduction about the company and about the different projects that it works on. He started by introducing to different types of pre-cast concrete, the advantages of using it in long span projects and the detailed procedure to produce such panels and elements. Then he showed some pictures of sites where precast concrete is being placed. One of the most challenging project that e-construct has done was the Sharjah cement coal storage where the span goes up to 50m. Currently, the company is looking forward to work in Qatar in building concrete warehouses of 85m span.
Then Mr. Haitham Abdelkawy gave us also a lecture about the prestressed concrete with all the mechanics involved in tension and compression of the beams and slabs. He covered also in this lecture the pre-tension beams, the hollow concrete slabs, and the post-tension slabs . He showed us also pictures about different projects and sites that the company is doing currently.
After going back to the office, the LAU students continued working on the Midterm report that contains all the sites visited while the SU students were still in India.
Then Mr. Haitham Abdelkawy gave us also a lecture about the prestressed concrete with all the mechanics involved in tension and compression of the beams and slabs. He covered also in this lecture the pre-tension beams, the hollow concrete slabs, and the post-tension slabs . He showed us also pictures about different projects and sites that the company is doing currently.
After going back to the office, the LAU students continued working on the Midterm report that contains all the sites visited while the SU students were still in India.
Site Visit to Conrad hotel – Team 1
This morning we had a site visit to one of DCCs biggest projects which is the Conrade hotel. This hotel is being built to become a seven star hotel when completed. There we were welcomed by Mr. Ibrahim Amara who is a site engineer where he gave a small briefing about the site. The owner of this site is PPM (Private Properties Management) and its main consultant is SRSS (Smallwood Reynolds Stewart & Stewart). With a contact value of about 1.1 billion AED, this project has 2 main contractors which are DCC and Arabtec who formed a Joint Venture for this project.
The tower consists of 3 basements, ground floor, 2 mezzanine floors and 50 floors followed by a steel structure on top. Mr. Amara explained that the foundation used for this building was a raft foundation with piles and secant piles were used for shoring. Before starting the tour, we had a safety induction where the safety officer indicated the risks we might encounter and clarified few safety issues.
We started the tour by checking the car park building. This car park is the specialty of this tower because it is being built to become the first fully automated car park in the Middle East. But this specialty was a source of delay for the project because it took a long time to receive approval. The most interesting part of the visit was when we went to the 50th floor using the hoist. Another nice aspect of the project was the truss system which was used in the mezzanine floors to insure large spans.
At the end of the tour we saw a video which showed the hotel in its final shape with the interior decorations.
The tower consists of 3 basements, ground floor, 2 mezzanine floors and 50 floors followed by a steel structure on top. Mr. Amara explained that the foundation used for this building was a raft foundation with piles and secant piles were used for shoring. Before starting the tour, we had a safety induction where the safety officer indicated the risks we might encounter and clarified few safety issues.
We started the tour by checking the car park building. This car park is the specialty of this tower because it is being built to become the first fully automated car park in the Middle East. But this specialty was a source of delay for the project because it took a long time to receive approval. The most interesting part of the visit was when we went to the 50th floor using the hoist. Another nice aspect of the project was the truss system which was used in the mezzanine floors to insure large spans.
At the end of the tour we saw a video which showed the hotel in its final shape with the interior decorations.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Abu Dhabi (ADNEC and Guardian Towers) - Team 2
Team 2 returned to the AD_1 Project at ADNEC and discussed the minimum reinforcement needed for slabs, beams, and columns. The project manager discussed that a minimum of 0.12 % of a slab cross-section needs to be reinforced compared to 0.3 % for beams and 0.8 % for columns. We learned that post-tension slabs were preferable in this project because this design is best for larger spans. The project manager also clarified that the shoring system is secant piles with steel in between the piles. The client decided that he wanted two extra floors added to the design before including the penthouses above. We learned that although secant piles were used for excavation and shoring, tension piles were needed to attach the raft foundation to the hard strata. Dewatering was needed to account for the high water table, but could be cut off once construction reached the twelfth floor. The system could be cut off at the twelfth floor at the earliest because there would be no uplift due to the increased load of the superstructure.
After a nice lunch at the Holiday in, our group went to the Guardian towers in Abu Dhabi. The towers are located near the ADNEC building. A detailed tour was provided by Mr. Jihad, the project manager for the Guardian Towers. The towers were completed earlier this month. It was a nice to see the building in its completed stage. The finish of the multi use building was stunning. Marble and granite was used in several locations. Both polished and unpolished versions provided the building a clean and contemporary finish. The ground floor connects the two towers. A special feature of this project is that it uses an expansion joint spanning the width of the building to allow for the building’s material to expand and contract without educing failures.
After our sit tour was completed we stopped by the Sheikh Zayed mosque. The structure was large and elaborate. The clean white exterior with splashes of color throughout the detailing created an elegant atmosphere. We entered the mosque under the requirements that everyone take off their shoes and the females were robed. It was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the exterior. It was a memorable visit and a good conclusion to our time in Abu Dhabi.
After a nice lunch at the Holiday in, our group went to the Guardian towers in Abu Dhabi. The towers are located near the ADNEC building. A detailed tour was provided by Mr. Jihad, the project manager for the Guardian Towers. The towers were completed earlier this month. It was a nice to see the building in its completed stage. The finish of the multi use building was stunning. Marble and granite was used in several locations. Both polished and unpolished versions provided the building a clean and contemporary finish. The ground floor connects the two towers. A special feature of this project is that it uses an expansion joint spanning the width of the building to allow for the building’s material to expand and contract without educing failures.
After our sit tour was completed we stopped by the Sheikh Zayed mosque. The structure was large and elaborate. The clean white exterior with splashes of color throughout the detailing created an elegant atmosphere. We entered the mosque under the requirements that everyone take off their shoes and the females were robed. It was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the exterior. It was a memorable visit and a good conclusion to our time in Abu Dhabi.
Short Visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
On Saturday, May 25 Professor Clemence and one of the program's TAs, Tom Maxner accompanied Mr. Abdallah to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Clemence and Tom visited DCC's current site in Riyadh and took a brief tour to see the progress. The project, Burj Rafal, is a 305 meter tall hotel and residential tower. The tower has two basements, a ground floor and 62 additional storeys. The two basement levels, which provide parking for over 1,000 vehicles, equal roughly 40% of the total built up area. Once completed, Burj Rafal will be the tallest tour in Saudi Arabia.
Like many of DCC's projects, Burj Rafal is a unique project. Saudi Arabia's geology and desert climate allowed for a simple raft foundation in an excavation that required no shoring. The water table is around 20 meters below the ground surface so tension piles and dewatering were unnecessary. Additionally, Riyadh sits on entremely hard rock allowing for vertical, 90-degree excavation walls without shoring. The tower itself is unique in that the core and water tanks are eliptical. This has posed problems for construction thus far because the water tanks are double height and require extensive reinforcement that has been difficult to construct.
The project is currently on the seventh floor of the core wall, second floor of the outter slabs, and the formwork stage of the first basement.
Outside the project, Dr. Clemence and Tom took in some cultural aspects. More conservative and traditional than Dubai, Riyadh lacks glamour and elaborate designs shown in the Dubai skyline. Riyadh is located in the middle of the Arabian Desert and so can continuously expand horizontally. Saudi taste, as described by some workers who live there, includes more sprawling villas and universities than skyscrapers. In fact, Princess Nora University is currently under construction, but when completed will educate around 50,000 female students. The campus is so large that a tram system was built for the students.
Like many of DCC's projects, Burj Rafal is a unique project. Saudi Arabia's geology and desert climate allowed for a simple raft foundation in an excavation that required no shoring. The water table is around 20 meters below the ground surface so tension piles and dewatering were unnecessary. Additionally, Riyadh sits on entremely hard rock allowing for vertical, 90-degree excavation walls without shoring. The tower itself is unique in that the core and water tanks are eliptical. This has posed problems for construction thus far because the water tanks are double height and require extensive reinforcement that has been difficult to construct.
The project is currently on the seventh floor of the core wall, second floor of the outter slabs, and the formwork stage of the first basement.
Outside the project, Dr. Clemence and Tom took in some cultural aspects. More conservative and traditional than Dubai, Riyadh lacks glamour and elaborate designs shown in the Dubai skyline. Riyadh is located in the middle of the Arabian Desert and so can continuously expand horizontally. Saudi taste, as described by some workers who live there, includes more sprawling villas and universities than skyscrapers. In fact, Princess Nora University is currently under construction, but when completed will educate around 50,000 female students. The campus is so large that a tram system was built for the students.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Salam Tower (Team 1)
Today started with another visit to the Salam Tower on Sheikh Zayed road. Upon arrival to the Meeting Room, we were greeted by Site Engineer Ryan and the QA/QC Engineer Edgar.
They took the group, along with another QA/QC Engineer and Safety Officer to the top of the tower, where the structural work is still being constructed. We saw how the steel rebars from the slab should be connected to the columns before pouring the concrete.
Ryan also explained how the post-tensioning process is done, from the setting out until the final jacking of the strands.
We also went inside the core wall of the structure, currently the 27th floor, and checked to see the reinforcement used there, which also includes lateral reinforcement.
Then, we were taught how to read structural drawings and check for reinforcement on the drawings given to us and on site as well.
They took the group, along with another QA/QC Engineer and Safety Officer to the top of the tower, where the structural work is still being constructed. We saw how the steel rebars from the slab should be connected to the columns before pouring the concrete.
Ryan also explained how the post-tensioning process is done, from the setting out until the final jacking of the strands.
We also went inside the core wall of the structure, currently the 27th floor, and checked to see the reinforcement used there, which also includes lateral reinforcement.
Then, we were taught how to read structural drawings and check for reinforcement on the drawings given to us and on site as well.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Trip to Fujairah (Teams 1 & 2)
On Thursday the 26th we departed at 10am for a vacation to another Emirate, Fujairah. The drive took us around 3 hours. All of the interns were ready for a few days of rest and relaxation. The bus ride took us through some of the very small and poor towns of the UAE. There seems to be a vast separation between the wealthy Dubai and Abu Dhabi cities and the surrounding neighborhoods. We stopped once for a bathroom break and to stretch our legs. More interestingly, there was a fresh fruit market as far as the eye can see. The second we got off the bus, we were swarmed by locals forcefully pushing their fruit on us. The view behind the market was a vast mountain range, which were the first mountains we’ve seen on the trip!
We stayed at Le Meridien in Fujairah. The beachfront resort seemed to be in the middle of nowhere with the Indian Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. We stayed on the 16th floor in the club level with a balcony facing the ocean. Our floor had a lounge with a 4-story window looking out onto the ocean. The resort offered mini-golf, human-sized checkers, a large pool, multiple restaurants, and beach access.
Upon arriving, most of the group went to lunch at an Italian restaurant at the resort. As soon as lunch was done, we quickly changed and went swimming. The beach was beautiful and the water there was very warm. Some of us also spent a lot of our time at the pool. The pool consisted of two separate parts: one part that was extremely shallow so you can lie in the water and another part that was much deeper.
In the evening, we were treated to dinner at a Thai restaurant in the hotel. After eating plenty of appetizers, the entrees were brought to our table, much of which caused our mouths to be on fire. After dinner, we spent our free time enjoying the nice weather outside.
In the morning, we went to a large breakfast buffet that had every type of food we could imagine. Immediately following breakfast, we went back outside to enjoy more time at the beach/pool. We took a break to eat lunch at a buffet and then took advantage of our last few hours in the sun. On the ride home, almost everyone slept the entire way. Overall, it was a great vacation and we were very grateful for having the opportunity to visit Fujairah.
We stayed at Le Meridien in Fujairah. The beachfront resort seemed to be in the middle of nowhere with the Indian Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. We stayed on the 16th floor in the club level with a balcony facing the ocean. Our floor had a lounge with a 4-story window looking out onto the ocean. The resort offered mini-golf, human-sized checkers, a large pool, multiple restaurants, and beach access.
Upon arriving, most of the group went to lunch at an Italian restaurant at the resort. As soon as lunch was done, we quickly changed and went swimming. The beach was beautiful and the water there was very warm. Some of us also spent a lot of our time at the pool. The pool consisted of two separate parts: one part that was extremely shallow so you can lie in the water and another part that was much deeper.
In the evening, we were treated to dinner at a Thai restaurant in the hotel. After eating plenty of appetizers, the entrees were brought to our table, much of which caused our mouths to be on fire. After dinner, we spent our free time enjoying the nice weather outside.
In the morning, we went to a large breakfast buffet that had every type of food we could imagine. Immediately following breakfast, we went back outside to enjoy more time at the beach/pool. We took a break to eat lunch at a buffet and then took advantage of our last few hours in the sun. On the ride home, almost everyone slept the entire way. Overall, it was a great vacation and we were very grateful for having the opportunity to visit Fujairah.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28th 2011 (Team 2)
On our first visit to Abu Dhabi, Team 2 had the chance to visit AD1-building which is owned by Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties (ADCP). The building has 23 floors, with 4 basements, 1 ground floor, and 2 mezzanines. The visit started with an informational meeting with the project manager, Mr. Subramanyam. He gave us a brief description of the project, listing all the different stages and procedures that went into the project. He mentioned how they were ahead of schedule by 68 day due to aggressive concrete work. The program had a concrete slab cast every nine days, but they were able to cast a new slab every seven days. The concrete work is projected to be completed by June, instead of October. The key factor to the success of that project is the proper way to treat the concrete during the curing stage by adding water. Post-tension slabs are being used and all the other parts are being cast on site. Raft foundations at 16.5m depth have been used to support the building and a shoring system was needed to prevent soil collapse and water penetration. A dewatering system was also needed because of a high water table at 3 meters below the ground surface.
After the lecture we visited different floors starting by the second floor where the curtain were being fixed, then we went to level 14 where we built a small interior wall of hollow concrete block.
The site visit continued after that by visiting the basements where the parking and the stores are located. Finally, we went to floor 19 which was being cast and we saw the steel cages being placed in preparation for casting the next location.
After the lecture we visited different floors starting by the second floor where the curtain were being fixed, then we went to level 14 where we built a small interior wall of hollow concrete block.
The site visit continued after that by visiting the basements where the parking and the stores are located. Finally, we went to floor 19 which was being cast and we saw the steel cages being placed in preparation for casting the next location.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wednesday, May 25th 2011 (Team 1)
Salam Tower and Introduction to Tendering
Today, Team 1 attended a construction site visit of the Burj Al Salam building which is a multi-use tower with an adjacent carpark building. The main tower will be functional as a Sheraton Hotel, work offices and residential area. The Hotel and Residential parts of the tower will be four basement levels, ground level, loft level and 54 stories (4B+G+L+54 floors), while the office tower will be 4G+G+L+50 floors. The adjacent car park will be four basement levels, ground, and 12 stories. This project is currently under construction headed by the Dubai Contracting Company after taking over the project from a previous contractor. The consultant is CHAWLA Architectural & Consulting Engineers alongside ERGA Progress Engineering Consultants, who are leading the majority of the design. The project is expected to be completed by April 2013 with a contract duration of 31 months (943 days) including 1 month for mobilization. The contract value for this project is an estimated 230 million US and is expected to double following fitting, equipment and finishes needed for the Hotel and residential area.
Our visit began with a basic overview of the project provided by the project coordinator, Mr. Mazen Hallak, who provided our team with comprehensive project data including, but not limited to, plot contract values, total build up areas for both tower and car park building. Following the overview Mr. Hallak was kind enough to provide us with a quick tour of the DCC main project offices on site, which are temporary spaces that will be deconstructed and disassembled upon completion. The site office tour showed offices of the Project Manager, Site Engineer, QAQC Engineer, Project Engineer, MEP Coordinators and Site-Project Engineer as well as a sample and discussion room, document control room and staff mess. Before touring the construction floor, we attended a health and safety induction which provided us with an idea of what to do in case of an emergency. The tour of the construction site was conducted by local Site Engineer Mr. Ryan Bistany. We began the tour by taking the hoist from ground level to level twenty one and worked our way down through several floors which allowed us to view the progress of the work being done floor by floor. Mr. Bistany provided a particularly thorough description of the work being conducted from block work, shuttering/formwork layout, to the bonding rush coat laid on the walls followed by plaster. It was interesting to see the progression of construction from the lower floors which already had been outfitted with MEP utilities, electrical conduits and plaster work and the higher floors which were still in the early block work and layout stages. Another thing to note was the cleanliness and organization of the site. All signage was clear and concise and construction materials were placed in an organized manner in order for the workers to be as efficient as possible. This site visit provided Team 1 with a clear indication of the quality and efficiency present in a typical DCC construction site as well as invaluable information of construction work detailing.
In the afternoon we were provided with an Introduction to Tendering lecture provided by Mr. Chris Battle, DCC Commercial Manager. We learned that the main objectives of tendering are to enable the employer to secure a suitable contractor to carry out the intended works at a competitive price and to provide a level platform for the participating tenderers to understand the requirements of the intended works and the various risks involved in carrying out the works before deciding on their tender bid price. The tender process includes the pre-qualification phase, the tender invitation phase, the tender clarifications and addenda phase, the tender bid submission phase, the tender opening and tender clarification phase, the award phase and the formalization of contract phase. This lecture provided us with a clear description of the process of tendering.
Today, Team 1 attended a construction site visit of the Burj Al Salam building which is a multi-use tower with an adjacent carpark building. The main tower will be functional as a Sheraton Hotel, work offices and residential area. The Hotel and Residential parts of the tower will be four basement levels, ground level, loft level and 54 stories (4B+G+L+54 floors), while the office tower will be 4G+G+L+50 floors. The adjacent car park will be four basement levels, ground, and 12 stories. This project is currently under construction headed by the Dubai Contracting Company after taking over the project from a previous contractor. The consultant is CHAWLA Architectural & Consulting Engineers alongside ERGA Progress Engineering Consultants, who are leading the majority of the design. The project is expected to be completed by April 2013 with a contract duration of 31 months (943 days) including 1 month for mobilization. The contract value for this project is an estimated 230 million US and is expected to double following fitting, equipment and finishes needed for the Hotel and residential area.
Our visit began with a basic overview of the project provided by the project coordinator, Mr. Mazen Hallak, who provided our team with comprehensive project data including, but not limited to, plot contract values, total build up areas for both tower and car park building. Following the overview Mr. Hallak was kind enough to provide us with a quick tour of the DCC main project offices on site, which are temporary spaces that will be deconstructed and disassembled upon completion. The site office tour showed offices of the Project Manager, Site Engineer, QAQC Engineer, Project Engineer, MEP Coordinators and Site-Project Engineer as well as a sample and discussion room, document control room and staff mess. Before touring the construction floor, we attended a health and safety induction which provided us with an idea of what to do in case of an emergency. The tour of the construction site was conducted by local Site Engineer Mr. Ryan Bistany. We began the tour by taking the hoist from ground level to level twenty one and worked our way down through several floors which allowed us to view the progress of the work being done floor by floor. Mr. Bistany provided a particularly thorough description of the work being conducted from block work, shuttering/formwork layout, to the bonding rush coat laid on the walls followed by plaster. It was interesting to see the progression of construction from the lower floors which already had been outfitted with MEP utilities, electrical conduits and plaster work and the higher floors which were still in the early block work and layout stages. Another thing to note was the cleanliness and organization of the site. All signage was clear and concise and construction materials were placed in an organized manner in order for the workers to be as efficient as possible. This site visit provided Team 1 with a clear indication of the quality and efficiency present in a typical DCC construction site as well as invaluable information of construction work detailing.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 25--Conrad Hotel
We left the hotel at 7:45 in the morning, and headed to our first site visit, The Conrad Hotel, which will be a 7 star hotel when completed. At first, we were given a brief introductory and a site specific safety induction. The tower is owned by PPM (Private Properties Management), and designed by SRSS (Smallwood Reynolds Stewart & Stewart). Arabtec and DCC both work together as the m
ain contractor for the Conrad Hotel. The original budget was 1.076 billion AED and the duration was initially expected to be 3 years. However, due to different delays in the car park and underground services, the budget is expected to go up to 1.7 billion AED and be completed in June 2012. The total area of the project is 182,233 m^2, which is equivalent to 1,961,540 ft^2.
The project is divided into two parts: the car park and the tower. The car park consists of 13 floors that fit for 1056 cars. The foundation consists of three concrete slabs and the finished car park has an automated system that transports the vehicles to the parking spots without human interaction. This system includes huge transfer beams that are three meters depth and will be able to carry seven floors above them. The tower includes three basements, a ground floor, six podiums, and hotel rooms and offices for more than 35 floors. We went up to the 51st floor where we were introduced to the different types of cranes, hoists and lifts used. We also saw the cladding and storage on the 46th floor, where the MEP structures were erected and then built up around them. Then, we went to the 24th floor where we saw a mock hotel room. One unique feature that will be included in the rooms is the mirrors in the bathrooms will be heated so that they do not fog up when you shower. Next, we moved down to the levels 4 and 2, where we went into ballrooms. After that, we proceeded to the Mezzanine level and learned about the ceiling under construction that has a shape of an intersection of a cylinder with a sphere.
One of the major features of this project is its automated Car Park that is considered the biggest in the Middle East. Another important feature is the large variety of aspects implemented in the design such as pre-cast concrete, post-tensioned members, steel structures, and composite sections. The greatest on-site difficulties include logistic challenges due to little space around the tower, as well as the coordination between subcontractors.
ain contractor for the Conrad Hotel. The original budget was 1.076 billion AED and the duration was initially expected to be 3 years. However, due to different delays in the car park and underground services, the budget is expected to go up to 1.7 billion AED and be completed in June 2012. The total area of the project is 182,233 m^2, which is equivalent to 1,961,540 ft^2.
The project is divided into two parts: the car park and the tower. The car park consists of 13 floors that fit for 1056 cars. The foundation consists of three concrete slabs and the finished car park has an automated system that transports the vehicles to the parking spots without human interaction. This system includes huge transfer beams that are three meters depth and will be able to carry seven floors above them. The tower includes three basements, a ground floor, six podiums, and hotel rooms and offices for more than 35 floors. We went up to the 51st floor where we were introduced to the different types of cranes, hoists and lifts used. We also saw the cladding and storage on the 46th floor, where the MEP structures were erected and then built up around them. Then, we went to the 24th floor where we saw a mock hotel room. One unique feature that will be included in the rooms is the mirrors in the bathrooms will be heated so that they do not fog up when you shower. Next, we moved down to the levels 4 and 2, where we went into ballrooms. After that, we proceeded to the Mezzanine level and learned about the ceiling under construction that has a shape of an intersection of a cylinder with a sphere.
One of the major features of this project is its automated Car Park that is considered the biggest in the Middle East. Another important feature is the large variety of aspects implemented in the design such as pre-cast concrete, post-tensioned members, steel structures, and composite sections. The greatest on-site difficulties include logistic challenges due to little space around the tower, as well as the coordination between subcontractors.
Monday- May 23rd and Tuesday- May 24th
In the morning session on May 23, 2011, we learned about cost estimation from Mr. Naim Mohamed, the Chief Estimator for the Dubai Contracting Company. First, he outlined the different aspects that make up tender documents from instructions to tenderers through specifications. The fourth component of a tender document is the Bill of Quantities, BOQ. We learned about the fifteen bills that make up the Bill of Quantities and how each differs from the others.
Once tender documents are received and the documents are reviewed, the quantities must be checked. We practiced an example that broke down the different components of a complete building and associated costs to understand the total cost spent on the project.
After the lunch, we went to visit the ERGA group offices in Dubai. The company started in 1982 in Lebanon and began working in Dubai as a consultant company in 2003. This company has been involved with more than 310 projects in Dubai. Their biggest projects include the Rolex tower and the Burj Al Salam. The Burj Al Salam is currently being built. We were introduced to different procurement strategies and the selection of the best strategy for specific projects. From these different procurement strategies, we learned about the pros and cons of the traditional contract, the design and build contract, the design and construction management contract and a consortium or alliance contract. We also saw some pictures about different project that ERGA worked on in Dubai, but also in other nations.
To conclude our visit, we went for a tour through the offices where we met many architects and engineers working on different projects and drawings. This opportunity allowed us to experience the different projects that these engineers were working on and ask questions about their career paths.
Here are some completed projects ERGA has done with DCC:
014 and Rolex Towers
Once tender documents are received and the documents are reviewed, the quantities must be checked. We practiced an example that broke down the different components of a complete building and associated costs to understand the total cost spent on the project.
After the lunch, we went to visit the ERGA group offices in Dubai. The company started in 1982 in Lebanon and began working in Dubai as a consultant company in 2003. This company has been involved with more than 310 projects in Dubai. Their biggest projects include the Rolex tower and the Burj Al Salam. The Burj Al Salam is currently being built. We were introduced to different procurement strategies and the selection of the best strategy for specific projects. From these different procurement strategies, we learned about the pros and cons of the traditional contract, the design and build contract, the design and construction management contract and a consortium or alliance contract. We also saw some pictures about different project that ERGA worked on in Dubai, but also in other nations.
To conclude our visit, we went for a tour through the offices where we met many architects and engineers working on different projects and drawings. This opportunity allowed us to experience the different projects that these engineers were working on and ask questions about their career paths.
Here are some completed projects ERGA has done with DCC:
014 and Rolex Towers
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday - May 22, 2011
In the morning Mr. Amir Kolahzadeh, the Business Development manager of ITWorks, gave us a presentation about Converged Technologies. The lecture started with an overview about ITWorks where he explained its objectives, mission and vision. It was a really interesting and energetic lecture where Mr. Kolahzadeh introduced the concept of smart technologies and how it can be implemented in our everyday life. He explained that these technologies can be and are being used to create smart homes, hotels, hospitals and even cities in the near future. In addition to this Mr. Kolahzadeh stressed the impact which such technologies could have on education where many alternatives for traditional ways of teaching were proposed.
Our afternoon lecture was an introduction to economics and accounting in the construction industry. Keeping track of your expenses and income is very important. We learned about the three financial statements used to track spending. These were income statements, balance sheets and cash flow. We also learned about financial tools that clients and contractors use. These include guarantees which are promises from someone to pay, bonds which are commitments to pay or perform works, and letters of credit.
Tracking your costs and income can be very difficult in the construction industry. Due to retention and bonds, you are never receiving the full amount of your payment until the end of the project. This can make it hard to be able to cover all of your bills without pulling from your own account. It is also important to track your profit margin as you go. This is done using a “cost value reconciliation sheet”. This is used to track your overall costs and expected returns throughout the project.
Our afternoon lecture was an introduction to economics and accounting in the construction industry. Keeping track of your expenses and income is very important. We learned about the three financial statements used to track spending. These were income statements, balance sheets and cash flow. We also learned about financial tools that clients and contractors use. These include guarantees which are promises from someone to pay, bonds which are commitments to pay or perform works, and letters of credit.
Tracking your costs and income can be very difficult in the construction industry. Due to retention and bonds, you are never receiving the full amount of your payment until the end of the project. This can make it hard to be able to cover all of your bills without pulling from your own account. It is also important to track your profit margin as you go. This is done using a “cost value reconciliation sheet”. This is used to track your overall costs and expected returns throughout the project.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Desert Adventure
At 4:30 pm on Friday, we left Topaz Courts Apartments and headed for the desert to begin our desert adventure. We began our travels to Rub' al Khali or Empty Quarter Desert, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. On our trip from the apartments to the general Arabian Adventures meeting point, we passed many different attractions that started development within the last few years. However, these projects, including Dubai Land and Universal Studios, have still yet to be finished. At a certain point in our travels, it was interesting to see the separation between city development and isolation. After a 40-minute ride, we stopped to deflate the tires so it would be easier to drive on the sand and over the sand dunes. After reaching the meeting point and stopping to take a few pictures, we began our bumpy journey over, through, and around the sand dunes. Although the entire desert looked the same, each vehicle experienced some rough riding. The vehicles slid over the sand dunes and sometimes seemed to fall over sharp edges. During the trip, some of the drivers managed to get stuck in the sand dunes, so the vehicle had to be emptied and another vehicle pulled the other one out.
The drivers stopped a few times during the trip for soft drinks and to watch the sunset on the desert. This gave us a chance to take a few pictures of the scenery and group pictures with each other. After stopping to watch the sunset, the vehicles traveled about ten more minutes to the camp site for dinner. At the camp site, we were able to ride camels, get Henna tattoos, and purchase souvenirs, among other activities. A barbecue was provided for dinner, as guests sat on pillows at floor-level tables. After dinner, there was a belly-dancer that performed for the guests. All of these activities were included in the provided package and there were many opportunities for photos. Around 10:30 pm, we boarded the vehicles to head back to Topaz Courts. We all enjoyed the desert adventure that included an exciting drive in the desert and dinner at the campsite. This opportunity provided us with a chance to further develop our friendships with one another.
Construction Planning and Scheduling
On Thursday, we started learning about construction planning and scheduling. The presentation, given my Mr. Bassam Haddad, covered cost vs. time relationships, bar charts (used for smaller projects), and network diagrams (used for more complex projects). AON, which means activity-on-node, is the most common type of network diagram because it is easy to create. It includes the days on which each activity starts and finished, as well as the duration of each activity. In addition, this diagram allows us to find the critical path, or the path with zero total float. Total float is the amount of time any given activity can be delayed without affecting the completion date of the project.
We also learned about Project General Documents (PGDs). These documents are created before construction starts and they are important because it includes lists of site layouts, organizational charts, schedules, budget information, labor, subcontractors, etc. The actual PGD is never altered, but parts of it (schedule and budget) may change for progress reports and site booklets. Site booklets are used by the management team to monitor the progress of the construction site. After this lecture, we feel more prepared to understand scheduling on construction sites that we will visit.
We also learned about Project General Documents (PGDs). These documents are created before construction starts and they are important because it includes lists of site layouts, organizational charts, schedules, budget information, labor, subcontractors, etc. The actual PGD is never altered, but parts of it (schedule and budget) may change for progress reports and site booklets. Site booklets are used by the management team to monitor the progress of the construction site. After this lecture, we feel more prepared to understand scheduling on construction sites that we will visit.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 5 - Wednesday May 18
We went to our first site visit today, which was a concrete batching plant, called RMB (Ready Mix Beton). To ensure safety for all the students, personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn, which includes safety vests, hard hats, gloves, and glasses. Our visit began with an introductory lecture given by the technical manager of RMB, Mr. Adel William. This lecture was about the RMB projects and the basics about how to mix concrete, including the specific ingredients RMB uses. Mr. William informed us about the “Pentominium Tower”, the tallest residential tower in Dubai. RMB has been responsible for making and distributing concrete to this site. Mr. William also talked to us about the different additive materials used and their effect on durability and workability of concrete. These additives that improve the quality of the concrete include GGBS, Fly Ash, and micro-silica. Chemical admixtures such as super-plasticizers also have a role in increasing the workability of the concrete without increasing the water content. One aspect specific to concrete in Dubai’s climate is its temperature. To ensure uniform settling and lower concrete temperatures of 30-32 Degrees Celsius needed for a normal ready mix, RMB adds thin ice flakes to every batch. The processes behind pumping and placing of concrete were also discussed before we left the offices for the tour.
Next, we took a tour of the RMB plant where we saw the pumping station, the testing labs, the stock storage location, the silos and mixers, the batching plant production office, and the ice flakes used during the mixing to reduce the temperature. Mr. William showed took us to one of the labs and the technician performed a compressive strength test on a 8.56 kg sample. The test showed that the sample failed at 1975 kN, or approximately 88 MPa. After the tour, we returned to the office and had a small break where we had the opportunity to ask Mr. William a few questions regarding some parts of the batching plant that were unclear.
In the afternoon, Mr. Ian Harper continued our discussion on construction management. We learned how construction management used to only focus on time, quality, and cost, but now attention needs to be paid to health and safety, as well as environmental management. Later, we were introduced to delays, disputes, and dispute resolution. We learned about the different steps that can be taken to settle disagreements from delays, for instance. However, it is best to avoid arbitration and instead make amicable settlements when resolving disputes because of the time and money wasted on the process.
Next, we took a tour of the RMB plant where we saw the pumping station, the testing labs, the stock storage location, the silos and mixers, the batching plant production office, and the ice flakes used during the mixing to reduce the temperature. Mr. William showed took us to one of the labs and the technician performed a compressive strength test on a 8.56 kg sample. The test showed that the sample failed at 1975 kN, or approximately 88 MPa. After the tour, we returned to the office and had a small break where we had the opportunity to ask Mr. William a few questions regarding some parts of the batching plant that were unclear.
In the afternoon, Mr. Ian Harper continued our discussion on construction management. We learned how construction management used to only focus on time, quality, and cost, but now attention needs to be paid to health and safety, as well as environmental management. Later, we were introduced to delays, disputes, and dispute resolution. We learned about the different steps that can be taken to settle disagreements from delays, for instance. However, it is best to avoid arbitration and instead make amicable settlements when resolving disputes because of the time and money wasted on the process.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Day 4 - Tuesday May 17th
Departing from the Topaz Living Courts at 8 am, and were driven by the Sheikh’s Palace entrance where few dozens of peacocks were lining the road.
In the DCC offices, we continued our work on construction drawings by looking at some drawings for different projects in Dubai and the UAE, which included the Kingdom of Sheba project that we will visit later in the internship. A small pop quiz was given to ensure that everyone understood all the elements of these drawings. The presentations were introduced and we started our work as a team for our first presentation which will take place this Saturday, May 21.
In the afternoon, Mr. Ian J. Harper, the Contract Director at the DCC, gave us a lecture about Construction Management. Many of these concepts covered in the lecture were outlined in the Construction Stage of Construction Management. This lecture contained a description of the major elements needed in the Construction Stage, including formal agreements, instructions to proceed, the Construction Management team, the General Project Document, and months progress reports. We also learned about the different personnel involved in each aspect of the Construction Stage.
After work, Mr. Yabroudi took all of the interns, Professor Clemence and his wife to dinner at the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world. We ate at a Lebanese restaurant were the food was never ending. The waiters served traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern food on platters that were shared by the entire table. We were exposed to different appetizers including fatouch, which resembles a salad, and homos, among others. For the main course, we had soujouk, which is similar to spicy sausage and mashawi, which is a combination of meat, chicken, and vegetables.
In the DCC offices, we continued our work on construction drawings by looking at some drawings for different projects in Dubai and the UAE, which included the Kingdom of Sheba project that we will visit later in the internship. A small pop quiz was given to ensure that everyone understood all the elements of these drawings. The presentations were introduced and we started our work as a team for our first presentation which will take place this Saturday, May 21.
In the afternoon, Mr. Ian J. Harper, the Contract Director at the DCC, gave us a lecture about Construction Management. Many of these concepts covered in the lecture were outlined in the Construction Stage of Construction Management. This lecture contained a description of the major elements needed in the Construction Stage, including formal agreements, instructions to proceed, the Construction Management team, the General Project Document, and months progress reports. We also learned about the different personnel involved in each aspect of the Construction Stage.
After work, Mr. Yabroudi took all of the interns, Professor Clemence and his wife to dinner at the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world. We ate at a Lebanese restaurant were the food was never ending. The waiters served traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern food on platters that were shared by the entire table. We were exposed to different appetizers including fatouch, which resembles a salad, and homos, among others. For the main course, we had soujouk, which is similar to spicy sausage and mashawi, which is a combination of meat, chicken, and vegetables.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 3 - Monday May 16th
This morning we went to the DCC offices and began with a lecture by Mr. Mazen Hallak, the DCC Projects Coordination Manager. He taught us about reading and understanding different types of construction drawings. We learned about the three basic drawing types which are Architectural, Structural and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing). Within these drawings there are five stages which are Design Stage, Tender Stage, For Construction Stage, Workshop Drawings and As-built Drawings. We used drawings from the villa designed by the son of Mr. Yabroudi, Hassan, to further understand the concepts that were taught to us. Later on, we had a quiz to reinforce the concepts that we learned in the Health and Safety lecture from yesterday.
The afternoon was devoted to a tour of popular sites in Dubai. The first place we went was the Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah City. We visited the souk, the Arabic word for a market, which was full of vendors of many fine products. We were able to get a great view of the Burj al Arab, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Next we drove to Old Dubai which was across Dubai Creek. On our way we stopped at the Dubai Museum where we learned about the progression of Dubai throughout the ages.
Old Dubai is a much smaller section of the city filled with many souks and areas of trade. We walked through the Gold Souk, which was a very interesting experience. You could not walk 20 feet without a salesman coming up to you trying to sell knock off products of all makes including Rolex, Louis Vitton and many others. Sean attempted to barter with a man for a “silk” rug but they could not agree upon a price. Our last stop of the day was the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We went up to the viewing deck on the 124th floor which was about 2/3 the way up to the top. The views were amazing. You could see for miles in any direction. It was great to learn more about Dubai and an unforgettable day.
The afternoon was devoted to a tour of popular sites in Dubai. The first place we went was the Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah City. We visited the souk, the Arabic word for a market, which was full of vendors of many fine products. We were able to get a great view of the Burj al Arab, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Next we drove to Old Dubai which was across Dubai Creek. On our way we stopped at the Dubai Museum where we learned about the progression of Dubai throughout the ages.
Old Dubai is a much smaller section of the city filled with many souks and areas of trade. We walked through the Gold Souk, which was a very interesting experience. You could not walk 20 feet without a salesman coming up to you trying to sell knock off products of all makes including Rolex, Louis Vitton and many others. Sean attempted to barter with a man for a “silk” rug but they could not agree upon a price. Our last stop of the day was the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We went up to the viewing deck on the 124th floor which was about 2/3 the way up to the top. The views were amazing. You could see for miles in any direction. It was great to learn more about Dubai and an unforgettable day.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 2: Sunday May 15, 2011
Today marked the first day of our internship at the Dubai Contracting Company. Starting off the day we were introduced to our team of students which comprised of three LAU students and three Syracuse University students. We were able to pick our own work stations in clusters of our teams. We were then issued our PPE bags (Personal Protective Equipment) which included steel toe boots, safety glasses, gloves, vest and hard hat.
After choosing our work stations, we were provided with a lecture of an overview of the Dubai Contracting Company. Following the lecture, we were given a tour of the entire DCC office building as well as individual departments where department leaders gave us a specific overview of what their department does and is in charge of.
We ended the tour in the office of Mr. Yabroudi, the CEO of DCC, where we took a customary group picture after which he informed us that we had 10 minutes or so to prepare for a drop quiz.
Lunch was quite an experience; we tried a new food called Kibbeh, with Chicken and Rice in addition to a chocolate cake all in our DCC dining room. The afternoon consisted of a lecture by Mr. Pat Doyle, a man with a great Irish accent who discussed health and safety regulations in DCC. At the end of the day we had some free time to explore Dubai.
After choosing our work stations, we were provided with a lecture of an overview of the Dubai Contracting Company. Following the lecture, we were given a tour of the entire DCC office building as well as individual departments where department leaders gave us a specific overview of what their department does and is in charge of.
We ended the tour in the office of Mr. Yabroudi, the CEO of DCC, where we took a customary group picture after which he informed us that we had 10 minutes or so to prepare for a drop quiz.
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