Arabtec goes for self-compacting concrete on DIFC tunnel project

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Self-compacting concrete enabled Arabtec to reduce the number of applications needed.

The service tunnel under the Dubai International Financial Centre complex, which is approximately 1.4km long, 10m high and between 20-40m wide, has been completed. The tunnel will be used for delivery and service access for the main mall, which will be constructed above it in phase two of the development.

The project specification originally called for normal high-slump concrete, but main contractor Arabtec, in conjunction with its concrete supplier, Austrian Arabian, decided that the best way of constructing the tunnel was to use self-compacting concrete, which would give them the advantage of placing it into the formwork in one application. The dimensions of the sections were 10m high and 12m long. A total of 7,000m³ of concrete was needed for the side walls of the tunnel.

The approved mix was a C50/20 triple-blend (MSRC+GGBS+MS), designed for a stringent specified chloride permeability value of 500 Coulombs. The contractor settled on the Glenium SKY admixture because it fulfilled its requirements pertaining to durability, segregation, passability and slump flow, while at the same time retaining the early strength gains, which aided quick formwork removal.

BASF Construction Chemicals claims that its self-compacting concrete has many technical and cost benefits over normal high-slump concrete for contractors, clients, engineers and readymix companies, including enhanced durability, extended service life of structures, high early and ultimate strength and architectural design flexibility. It also eliminates vibration and is easier to place with a cohesive pumpable mix.

The client is Dubai International Financial Centre and the consultant is Cansult Maunsell Aecom. Turner International is managing the project and the main contractor is Arabtec, which was awarded the contract in November 2005.

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