Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Project

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

 Bridges in the region Qatar-Bahrain Causeway (the latest & greatest) Design and construction issues Introduction of rail Technical challenges

Introduction

Bridges in the Region

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

Typically:
Water crossings Connect population centres Access key infrastructure

Notably:
Abu Dhabi Dubai Bahrain

Bridges in the Region

Drivers:
Economic growth Population growth Urban expansion Development of major infrastructure Increasing traffic

Bridges in the Region

Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

Saadiyat Island Bridge (Sheikh Khalifa Bridge)

Hodariyat Bridge
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Bridges in the Region

Dubai
Business Bay Bridge

Garhoud Bridge

Palm Jebel Ali Crescent Bridges

Dubai Metro

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing (6th Crossing)

Bridges in the Region

Bahrain

Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge Sheikh Isa Causeway

Bridges in the Region

Sitra Causeway

Bridges in the Region

King Fahd Causeway

Bridges in the Region

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Qatar-Bahrain Causeway

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

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Project Overview
40km marine causeway 2 lane highway in each direction Adjacent high-speed rail facility 2 dredged navigation channels 2 high level arch bridges 23km bridges / viaducts 17km embankments 2 rest area islands Interchanges, tolling, border facilities
Bahrain

QBC

Qatar

Qatar-Bahrain Causeway

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Qatar-Bahrain Causeway

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Design and Construction Issues

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

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Large Marine Site

Pre-cast solution adopted:
To limit offshore operations To maintain control over quality & safety

Design closely linked to construction methods Design-Build approach adopted Allows fast-tracking of schedule

Design and Construction issues

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Material:
Volumes required Need to ensure Consistent quality Reliability of supply High import content Marine Borrow Durability considerations

Design and Construction issues

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Concrete Durability: Options

Stainless steel Corrosion inhibitor Coating Cathodic Protection Extent of splash zone

Design and Construction issues

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Eurocode:
One of the first projects to use Europe-wide code for bridge design (road/rail) from 2010 Option of factored loads or 3rd party checks Reliability & Consequence Classes

Design and Construction issues

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Alignment at Landing Points Influenced by:

Archaeology (Qatar) Competing land use (Bahrain) Stakeholder Requirements

Design and Construction issues

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Qatar Landing Point

Design and Construction issues

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3 km

Design and Construction issues

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Design and Construction issues

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Introduction of Rail

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

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Introduction of Rail Concept design:

Road only Twin deck viaducts 80 m viaduct spans Cable-stay bridges over Navigation Channels

Introduction of Rail

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Impact of Rail
Larger vertical and horizontal loads
Freight

Limitation on gradient and horizontal curvature

High-speed passenger

Extended Schedule

Introduction of rail

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Resultant changes to concept design:

Vertical and horizontal alignments revised Length of viaduct increased Stronger, stiffer structures Arch bridges replaced cable-stayed Closer pier spacing Twin road decks combined Navigation Channel relocated

Introduction of rail

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Technical Challenges

Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

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Environmental
Zero impact on hydraulic flows Extensive baseline measurements Ongoing Monitoring Constraints on construction methods

Technical challenges

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Quality & Safety

Remote sites Working at height Heavy lifts 24/7 working Cost-driven schedule Motivating the workforce

Technical Challenges

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Rail Issues
Axle Load Speeds Height Clearance Emergency Escape Maintenance Access Bahrain Network Qatar Network GCC Network

Technical Challenges

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Dredging of Navigation Channels

Unsuitable material Creative disposal

Ship impact on Main Bridges

Designed to deflect Seismic resistant Visual Impact Technical challenges

Technical challenges

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Settlement of Embankments
Soil improvement & testing Deferred rail solution Ballasted track

High Voltage Interconnect

Three 220 kV circuits Two 400 kV circuits

Technical challenges

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In Conclusion
Rich heritage of major bridges in the GCC The Qatar Bahrain Causeway will enrich this heritage First high-speed rail crossing Numerous challenges to overcome A landmark project for the Region

Concluding remarks

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Thank You

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