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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JUNE
2016
Hollow core, interlocking precast blocks
offer a good looking and cost-effective
alternative solution to cast-in-place
abutments, vertical piers, or reinforced concrete
grade beams. They are plantable and easy to
handle, yet have proven to stand the test of time.
Consent LLC, Terraforce Licensee in the
United Arab Emirates and GCC region, has
been involved in the installation and design of
numerous road side Terraforce retaining walls,
most notably the erosion control and land-
scaping of three large interchanges on the Salwa
International Highway.
The Salwa highway is the major arterial
connection between Saudi Arabia and the
coastal capital of Qatar, Doha. All traffic coming
into the city of Doha, including from the
United Arab Emirates, enters via this route. The
QR441-million project allows faster commuting
for motorists between Abu Samra and Doha and
includes a dual four lane highway with 10 major
interchanges, three camel crossing underpasses
and twenty two Qatar Petroleum culverts.
At Interchanges 15, 17 and 24, a detail
was prepared by design engineers of Parsons
International Limited, one of the world’s largest
engineering and construction consultants for
BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE
ABUTMENTS
In the field of retaining walls, engineers are often faced with two
choices: specifying a structural yet unattractive wall, or specifying an
attractive wall that isn't structural.
>
private industries and government agencies,
for a series of terraces on the inside faces of
all four quadrants of the conventional clover
leaf interchanges.
Their original design, which closely mapped
the original ground profiles – a series of tapered
and curved embankments running parallel
with the edge of the ramps – called for precast
walling, but after AG Middle East (AGME), the
appointed landscaping contractor, proposed the
use of the Terraforce L16 blocks, based on the
successful use of the product on Palm Jumeirah
island, the alternative designs supplied by Simon
Knutton of Knutton Consulting – a well estab-
lished engineering consultancy in South Africa
– were accepted.
The Mirdif interchange, situated at the
intersection of Al Khawaneej and Algeria roads
in Mirdif, Dubai, was designed by Mirjana Engi-
neering and Huesker Synthetics. It replaces an
existing crossroads which failed to accommo-
date increasing traffic volumes generated by
the development of surrounding residential
areas. Once the Terraforce design was approved,
construction was supervised by joint venture
between Aurecon and Al Burj Consultants.
The Terraforce blocks proved particu-
larity suitable, given the limited space avail-
able that required steep side slopes. These
were retained with Terraforce L16 (split face)
composite retaining walls and vertical Freyssinet
panel retaining walls, reducing the impact on
surrounding land and facilities. The blocks were
used to support both sides of the four ramps,
as well as the approaches to the cross road.