Capital Gate a complete case study with engineering
- 2. TEAM MEMBERS 01 ADITHYA DEVDAS HANISHA KAJA SARAH MATHEWS RILWAN O. KAMOJU TARUN POTLURI
- 3. WHY CAPITAL GATE? 02 The Capital Gate building is located in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates and was completed in 2010. The reason for analysing this particular building is because, it is the only building in the world to lean to an astounding 18 degrees and currently holds the Guinness world record for the furthest leaning manmade tower in the world. This building is truly iconic in every way and represents the achievements of mankind in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Construction. The building presents us with the opportunity of understanding the structural challenges and analysing the various systems employed to counter lateral loads. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but also an engineering marvel.
- 4. LOCATION 03 ● The Capital Gate building is located in Abu Dhabi, which is the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates. This is a t-shaped island which juts into the Persian Gulf. ● The building is an icon in the city, and helps establish the status of Abu Dhabi as a global megacity. The coordinates of the building are 24.4187° N, 54.4347° E. ● In order to create maximum impact, this skyscraper is located next to the Grandstand, a monument of national importance. This is done to link the future of Abu Dhabi with its past.
- 5. CLIMATE OF ABU DHABI 04 ● The climate of Abu Dhabi is subtropical and arid with high temperature and sunny blue skies. ● The average rainfall is 12cms per year mainly falling during winter season from november to march. The summer’s from the month october to may the temperature will be typically above 40°C and during winter the temperature ranges from 13°C to 24°C. ● Air conditioning is considered as a much needed and import necessity for all vehicles and buildings such as hotels, conference and exhibition halls and shopping malls. ● We see that the climate plays a role in the construction of the building as well. When the concrete was poured, it cracked due to the heat. Therefore, to work around this, the concrete had to be poured at night.
- 6. SOIL CONDITION 05 ● Generally, low lying sandy deserts dominate the landscape of Abu Dhabi, accompanying the hot desert climate. ● The Capital Gate building is constructed near the seashore. ● The primary soil type seen here is sandy soil which does not have a good bearing capacity. ● Therefore, the foundation for a building of this size must be designed keeping this in mind. ● There is a layer of bedrock beneath which can serve as the anchor/support for the foundation used
- 7. CODE REQUIREMENTS 06 In Compliance with Code requirements ● Building height: 160M (high rise) ● Occupancy type : Group A(institutional/public), R1(hotel) ● Occupancy category : (iii) (more than 800 people) ● Reinforced concrete grade : Deflection does not exceed ACI 318 ● Steel grade : Deflection does not exceed AISC 360 ● Seismic consideration : site class “E’ - values determined in accordance to ASCE 7 ● Fire safety : SFRM minimum bond strength - 48 Kpa ● wind consideration : 80 percent of design base overturning moments determined in accordance to ASCE 7 ● Soil consideration : Lateral soil load (active pressure) - 7.05
- 8. ● Ever since the building was constructed in the year 2011, it has become the pride of Abu dhabi. A structure, truly one of a kind and the best in its class, it has helped Abu Dhabi retain its name and stature as a global megacity. ● It forms the focal Point of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center Complex and the the Capital Center Master Redevelopment , along with other 23 towers, that include branded hotels, commercial buildings, residential, service apartment complexes and developments for mixed use. ● Its location plays a vital role is one of the many reasons why it is considered iconic. It dominates the waterfront area, overlooking an urban highway and rising above other developments in its immediate vicinity. ● It is the only tower in the world that has this degree of inclination. It inclines at an astounding 18 degrees and holds the Guinness World record for the furthest leaning manmade tower in the world. INTRODUCTION 07
- 9. PROJECT DATA 08 ARCHITECTS: RMJM Architects LOCATION: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates COORDINATES: 24.4187° N, 54.4347° E COMPLETION DATE: 2011 BUILDING USE: Hyatt Hotel, Commercial spaces and mixed use. HEIGHT: 164 M FLOORS: 35 BUILT UP AREA: 53,100 SQM OFFICE AREA: 14,396 SQM HOTEL AREA: 25,050 SQM FOOTPRINT: 1,390 SQM INCLINATION: 18 DEGREES PROJECT MANAGER: Mace Group CONTRACTOR: AL Habtoor Leighton Group OWNER: ADNEC (Abu Dhabi Exhibitions Company) COST: $231 million
- 10. PROJECT DATA 09 “It is the first building in the world to use a pre-cambered core with a built-in lean of 350 millimeters that has been engineered to straighten with the addition of the upper floors. It is also the first building in the world to use vertical post-tensioning of the core to counter movement and support stresses created by the building’s overhang.”
- 11. THE ARCHITECT 10 ● The team of architects was selected by the man in charge of the project, His Highness Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahvan. ● He selected the the firm RMJM (Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall) as the concept architects of this project. ● This firm is one of Britain’s largest architecture firms, which is based in London and Edinburgh. ● RMJM Architects have a wide portfolio and working on sustainable design, interior design, masterplanning, urban design, historic preservation, and computer visualisation. In terms of sectors, they work in mixed use, education, residential, hospitality and government projects. ● The Mace group was in charge of the project management aspect of the Capital Gate building. ● The contractors who were a part of this project was the Al Habtoor Leighton Group. ● Some of the structural engineers in charge of this project were Mona Vasigh and Irfan Ahmed. Architect Neil van der Veen
- 12. AWARDS & HONORS 11 ● Guinness World Record - The furthest leaning manmade tower with an inclination of 18 degrees. ● Won ‘Best Commercial/ Mixed Use Project' at the International property Awards in 2015 ● Sustainability Award at the AEO Excellence Awards ● Venue of the Year for ExCeL London at the AEO Excellence Awards, ● Exhibition Venue of the Year at Event Awards, ● Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre at World Travel Awards, ● Best Middle East Exhibition for IDEX at Middle East Events Awards, ● Best Meetings & Conference Centre in the Middle East for Al Ain Convention Centre at Business Destinations Travel Awards, ● Best Commercial High Rise Development – Capital Gate at Arabian Property Awards. Capital gate won around 75 awards since it started in 2011.
- 13. CONCEPT 12 ● The Capital Gate is an iconic structure on the skyline of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ● The tower’s curvaceous shape is inspired strongly from two main geological elements, one being the sea and the other, the desert. These two elements resonate strongly with the essence of Abu Dhabi. ● The main building’s form is meant to symbolize a swirling spiral of sand, while the curved canopy, known as the “splash,” is meant to represent the waves in the sea. It creates a wave-like effect, reflecting the building’s proximity to the water and the city’s seafaring heritage. ● The imposing mass, the organic fluidity of its twist, and the idiosyncratic lean of the funnel -shaped tower, combine to embody a specific time, a particular space and a specific volume, reflecting the geography and culture of ABu Dhabi.
- 14. FLOOR LAYOUT 13 GROUND FLOOR PLAN MEZZANINE FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR -OFFICES 16TH FLOOR -OFFICES
- 15. FLOOR LAYOUT 14 18TH FLOOR -RESTAURANT 19TH FLOOR AMENITIES 20TH FLOOR -HOTEL 30TH FLOOR -HOTEL
- 18. MAIN STRUCTURE: ● The structure consists of a post tensioned concrete core surrounded by two steel truss systems (diagrid system). ● External and Internal diagrid system (lateral load resisting system). STRUCTURAL SYSTEM ● Steel beams support concrete floor & run throughout the diagrid system horizontally at the node intervals. ● Outrigger are horizontal trusses used to connect the building core to the exterior bracing system. 17
- 19. FOUNDATION: ● The foundation system used was a deep foundation. ● The foundation consists of a 2m deep 7000 cubic meter reinforced concrete rectangular raft footing supported on 490 concrete piles of 1 meter diameter. ● Half of the piles are under compression and run to a depth of about 20 meters. ● The other half of the piles run to a depth of about 30 meters to the bed rock and anchor tightly to the soil and are in tension due to the massive eccentric overhang of the building. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM 18
- 20. THE CORE: ● The core was pre cambered meaning it was initially tilted away from the overhang of the building and was straightened by the dead load of the building. ● The core was built using the technique called jump forming. ● The concreting was done at night to avoid the extreme day heat which may cause the concrete to dry and crack. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM 19
- 21. THE CORE: ● Slump tests were carried out on every batch of concrete. ● The core was post tensioned. ● A total of 146 tendons were incorporated into the core through ducts. ● Each 20 meters long tendons spans 5 floors and overlaps at each ends. . ● Pneumatic jack was used to stretch each tendon at a time. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM 20
- 22. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FLOOR SYSTEM: ● A composite floor system is used, spanning from the main core to internal and external diagrids. ● Floor beams are connected to the concrete core via embedment plates already casted in the core walls. ● From level 1 to level 10, the floor plates are stacked directly over one another, and then begins to stagger over each other at 800-1400mm and then back to 900mm in line with the lean of the building, between level 10 through 27. ● The remaining floors, between levels 27 and 34, shift between 900mm - 300mm. 21
- 23. THE FACADE: ● The facade consists of the steel diagonal framing system(diagrid), and diamond shaped glass modules. ● The Diagrid was made up of steel cross sections called cruciforms. ● The external diagrid consists of 720 of such cruciforms. ● Each cruciform has different curvature, length and thickness. ● The interlocking part of the cruciform is called the diagrid node, and an horizontal tie beam connect all nodes together horizontally through the circumference of the building, the give a strong bracing system. ● The external cruciforms were made up of 600 ×600 mm hollow sections, and the thickness of the sections ranged from 80 mm at the bottom to 40 mm at the top of the tower. 22 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
- 24. THE FACADE CONT’D: ● Each diamond shaped glass modules are made up of 18 triangular panels connected to each other by hinge joints forming a diamond shaped panel measuring 8×8 meters, spanning 2 floors vertically. ● There are 26,000 triangular glass panels called c240. ● The diamond modules were connected to each other by a two layer seal which made it waterproof and also allowed it to move by 20mm causing a change in shape. 24 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
- 25. INTERNAL DIAGRID: ● The internal diagrid cruciforms were made with 80 mm diameter hollow circular sections. ● the top 18 floors houses an atrium which reduces the eccentric weight of the building. ● The internal diagrid support the weight of the 18 floors and is shaped like a funnel. ● The internal diagrid is connected to the core by 8 pin jointed structural members on the 18th floor also known as mechanical floor. 23 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
- 26. LATERAL LOADING ● The primary direction the wind blows in this area is from the north east to the south east, at speeds ranging from 5 to 15 mph. ● The primary lateral load resisting system in this structure is the diagrid system. ● The members of the diagrid system, however, vary in thickness according to the variation in the structural stresses experienced in each portion. ● The diagram shows how the funnel shape of the tower responds aerodynamically to the predominant winds ● Typically, a node has seven points of connection, four of which are tied to the diagonals, two others to the horizontal tension beams, and one to a girder supporting the floor. ● The diamond forms are 8 metres in height. ● The diagonals are 600mm by 800mm in cross section LATERAL LOADING 25
- 27. DIAGRID CONNECTIONS 26 Each cruciform weighs up to 16 tonnes
- 28. During the construction of the Capital Gate building, the architects introduced a new design feature cantilevering from the structure. ● The design required a two storey extension 90 meters above the ground, without visible supports, containing a pool and restaurant. The weight of the water in the pool was estimated to be around 150 tonnes. ● In order to support this load, the structure needed supports from below ● The solution selected was to use 22 underpinned steel struts, which also met the aesthetic demands of the architects. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS - SUSPENDED INFINITY POOL 27
- 29. ● A design requirement that was put forward 6 months before the construction was to introduce a helipad on the roof. ● This would also be Abu Dhabi’s highest helipad ● The problem that arose here was the unpredictable wind flows that would be generated which could rip the helipad upward or create a suction that would pull the helicopter off-course. ● The solution was to lower the helideck, which would reduce the height of the helideck to 2 meters above the roof, which helped decrease the threat. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS - HELIPAD 28
- 30. ● The ‘splash’ is a sun-shading device which is also an aesthetic element ● It is made of a layer of woven metallic mesh stretched over a metal frame ● At the entrance, the splash is a canopy held up by tree shaped column structures. ● The splash unifies and accentuates the unique form of Capital Gate THE SPLASH 29
- 31. ● Total concrete - 79,365,600 lb ● Total steel - 26,400,000 lb ● Total Glass - 46,296,900 lb ● Total pieces of exterior glass - 26,000 triangular glass panels Structural Materials 30
- 32. LOAD TRACING 31
- 33. LOAD TRACING 32 LOAD TRACING ● The exoskeleton of the building is connected to the central core by horizontal steel girders that run from the nodes of the diagrid modules to the core. ● These beams support composite metal decks and concrete floor slabs. ● Each story is 4 meters in height, corresponding to half of the diagrid diamond. ● In the 17th floor service area, eight hefty steel transfer spurs are attached to the core on which sits the base of an internal atrium diagrid. ● The weight of this diagrid is transferred to the core and hence down to the foundation. ● The internal diagrid provides extra internal support for the overhanging upper floors as well as lessening their weight by creating a funnel like opening in them. ● The atrium diagrid is connected to the diagrid exoskeleton by girders spanning the distance between nodes. ● Massive outrigger beams connected to the core support the 12m extension out over the facade. ● These outer cantilever beams are braced back to the nodes of the diagrid of the two floors below.
- 34. MULTIFRAME ANALYSIS 33 BUILDING STRUCTURE IN MULTIFRAME AUTOCAD WIREFRAME OF THE BUILDING STRUCTURE
- 35. MULTIFRAME ANALYSIS 34 MULTIFRAME ANALYSIS OF A CHUNK OF THE BUILDING CORE MOMENT DIAGRAM SHEAR DIAGRAM AXIAL FORCE DIAGRAM DEFLECTION DIAGRAM
- 36. The Capital Gate building is a very unique structure which was built with one of the world’s most advanced construction techniques. Some of the structural innovations used include: ● An interior atrium in the tilting mass. ● A cantilevered restaurant/pool deck opposite to the tilt ● Varying depth of foundation piles to provide proper anchorage. This structure truly captures the spirit of Abu Dhabi and the original intent of showcasing Abu Dhabi CONCLUSION 35
- 37. ● "Capital Gate Tower, Abu Dhabi". 2017. Ctbuh.Org. http://www.ctbuh.org/TallBuildings/FeaturedTallBuildings/CapitalGateTowerAbuDhabi/tabid/3380/language/en- GB/Default.aspx/. ● "Capital Gate Building: The Leaning Tower Of Abu Dhabi". 2017. Amusing Planet. http://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/03/capital-gate-building-leaning-tower-of.html. ● "Capital Gate Tower - The Skyscraper Center". 2017. Skyscrapercenter.Com. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/capital-gate-tower/3172. ● "The Architect’S Perspective: The Capital Gate". 2017. RMJM. https://www.rmjm.com/the-architects-perspective-the- capital-gate/. ● "Capital Gate" Hyatt Hotel + Offices | RMJM - Arch2o.Com". 2017. Arch2o.Com. https://www.arch2o.com/capital-gate- hyatt-hotel-offices-rmjm/. ● "Capital Gate" Hyatt Hotel + Offices | RMJM - Arch2o.Com". 2017. Arch2o.Com. https://www.arch2o.com/capital-gate- hyatt-hotel-offices-rmjm/. ● Dufresne, Pierre Martin, Gerry O'Leary, and Jeff Schofield. n.d. 18 Degrees. Bibliography 36