Project Summary
An Organic Development Concept
Spanning 38 square kilometers in Doha, Lusail City is comprised of four islands and will be home to the new Rosewood Doha ultra-luxury hotel and residences. The QAR 1.5 billion mixed-use development project consists of two towers linked at the base by a three-level podium, reaching a built-up area of 152,684 square meters. The design concept for the buildings is inspired by the local underwater coral formations, with curvilinear cladding for the podium that complements the organic façade of the towers, giving the impression of two corals. Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) not only conceptualized the architectural design but also is responsible for providing structural engineering to help realize their innovative development concept.
Structural Engineering Challenges; Tight Budget
The striking architecture of the two iconic towers and podium presented structural engineering challenges that included designing a cantilever slab system on four corners amid a tight project budget. AEB wanted to use a post-tension slab steel design as opposed to a conventional flat slab system to meet the cost constraints. They had to consider the complete geometry of the structures, including column and beam sizes and locations, slab thickness, and concrete dimensions, as well as the design loads, deflection, and tendon layout. To ensure structural integrity while meeting the architectural requirements and budget, AEB needed comprehensive, customizable structural design technology.
Optimizing a Structural Design Solution
AEB selected RAM Concept, featuring a large variety of design codes and design capabilities covering all aspects of the flooring system. Using Bentley’s structural engineering application, they modeled and analyzed both towers, considering all loads from an architectural and multidiscipline design perspective to determine the optimal outputs for the post-tension slab structural solution. The software allowed them to easily modify the model to digitally represent the actual condition of the slab. Through accurate modeling and analysis, they eliminated all beams, reducing the height between floors and creating more space above and below the ceiling for mechanical and electrical equipment.
Advanced Technology Achieves Savings and Sustainability
Compared to other structural engineering software, RAM Concept provided an interoperable, user-friendly interface capable of delivering an optimal structural design solution. By using a post-tension steel slab system in the superstructure floor, AEB reduced the slab thickness and concrete volume by 25%, saving 20% to 30% in costs. Bentley’s advanced technology automated previously manual tasks, saving AEB 20% to 30% in resource hours to complete the structural engineering work ahead of schedule. The innovative structural design played a vital role in achieving the sustainability requirements of the building, which is targeted at a 4-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) rating.
This project was a finalist in the "Advancements in Structural Engineering" category of the 2022 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure. Watch the presentation:
