Rotana Hotel Project: Al Abdali, Amman, Jordan Engineer In Training Site Experience Weeks Four and Five Report

Trainee: Ronan Duffy

I. INTRODUCTION
This report discusses my experiences during my fourth and fifth weeks on site. It summarizes the tasks undertaken and the lessons which are apparent from these tasks. Finally the overall conclusions which can be made from the weeks work are given.

II. WEEK FOUR - VERTICALS SECTION ONE OVERVIEW

For this week I was under the supervision of Engineer Wael. He is in charge of the vertical elements which are comprised of reinforced concrete excluding the main core. This means he is responsible for the construction of walls and columns on the project. Throughout this time I saw the preparation and construction of these elements. These processes are discussed under the following two headings.

III. COLUMNS SECTION ONE CONSTRUCTION

Similar to the horizontal features, the construction of the columns begins with the steel fixers building the cage of the column. The new steel in used is attached to the starter bars that come up through the slab from the column underneath. This ensures continuity and structural stability by distributing the load evenly through the entire column. It is the responsibility of the engineer to ensure that the steel cage constructed is in agreement with the approved shop drawings. The following image shows Eng. Wael discussing the built column cage with his foreman.

Figure 1: Steel Cage Inspection

Prior to casting, the consultant inspects the column to ensure it meets the specifications. He checks that the column is the right height, the spacing between reinforcement bars is correct and that there is adequate concrete cover to the bars. If any of these requirements are not correct, the request for approval can be rejected. Any problems must be rectified before casting can begin. If it is found that the cover is inadequate, the reinforcement bars must be bent into place. This is done by the machine shown in the following image. Page 1 of 5

Rotana Hotel Project: Al Abdali, Amman, Jordan Engineer In Training Site Experience Weeks Four and Five Report Trainee: Ronan Duffy

Figure 2: Bar Bending Apparatus

Upon approval by the consultant, the shutters are closed and three final checks are performed by the engineer. These include a verticality test, another check to ensure adequate concrete cover and he must ensure the safety rails at the top of the column are installed properly in order for casting to begin. Out of these checks, the verticality test is interesting as a relatively simple method is used. A weight is hung from the top of the formwork. As long as the distance between the string and the shutter at the top is equal to the distance between the string and shutter at the base, the column is vertical.

SECTION TWO INTERESTING FEATURE

An interesting structural element that exists in this project is the use of non-vertical columns. Some columns are constructed at an angle to take the load down. These are constructed in the same way as other columns only they are at a certain angle. An example of one column constructed in this way is shown in the following before and after images.

Figure 3: Angled Column, Prior to and Post Casting

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Rotana Hotel Project: Al Abdali, Amman, Jordan Engineer In Training Site Experience Weeks Four and Five Report Trainee: Ronan Duffy

IV. WALLS SECTION ONE CONSTRUCTION

Similar steps to the construction of the columns are carried out for the construction of the reinforced concrete walls. Steel fixers build the cage and a number of checks are carried out after which casting can begin. The following image shows the constructed steel cage for the outer vertical wall.

Figure 4: Constructed Steel Cage for Outer Wall

Interestingly, since shutters only go up on one side there is a risk of pressure building up at the base of the wall. To counteract these pressures, the formwork is anchored in using steel reinforcement bars located at the base of the wall. These bars can be seen in the previous image. The following image shows a schematic representation of this set up.

Figure 5: Anchoring at Base of Wall

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Rotana Hotel Project: Al Abdali, Amman, Jordan Engineer In Training Site Experience Weeks Four and Five Report Trainee: Ronan Duffy

V. WEEK FIVE - CORE SECTION ONE OVERVIEW

For this week I was under the supervision of Engineer Talh. He is responsible for the construction of each level of the core. The core uses automatic climbing formwork. The construction of one level is discussed in the following section.

SECTION TWO CONSTRUCTION

As mentioned previously, the core uses Doka Automatic Climbing Formwork. This makes the entire construction process of the core quite fast and efficient. Currently jacks are used to lift the inner shuttering of the core. Whereas, on the outside, a crane is used to raise the outer formwork however this will change once the core reaches a certain level. An image of the core can be seen in the following image.

Figure 6: Image of the Core

As with the previous structural elements, the first stage for the core is the construction of a steel cage by the steel fixers. This begins after a level of the core is cast. Within two days, the inner formwork is jacked up. During this time the steel fixers continue constructing the reinforcement cage. Shortly after the raising of the inner formwork, the outer formwork is raised by a crane. The following image depicts this routine operation.

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Rotana Hotel Project: Al Abdali, Amman, Jordan Engineer In Training Site Experience Weeks Four and Five Report Trainee: Ronan Duffy

Figure 7: Outer Formwork Being Raised by Crane

Following this, the steel cage is completed and checks are carried out by the engineer and consultant to ensure the as built cage follows the specifications. Upon approval, casting can begin. Casting usually takes place in the evening and can take several hours. Plasticizers are added to the concrete to increase the flow of the concrete and ensure that it fills the formwork adequately and reduces the chance of honeycombing in the core.

Once casting is complete, the cycle begins again from the start. The overall process of casting one level of the core usually takes between eight and twelve days.

VI. OVERALL CONCLUSION

Over these weeks, the construction processes undertaken within this project have again been reiterated to me. It is clear that each section relies on the other in order for the project to remain on schedule. It is clear that there is a continual process of construction, inspection and casting in each of the areas observed. In order for the project to experience efficient work, these processes must be carried out diligently and without delay.

The whole project is a complicated system which relies on its various different components. If any one of these experiences a problem, there will be a knock on effect to the others which could result in a delay to the overall project.

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