The region’s only event dedicated to designing, planning and delivering sustainable bridges Following the phenomenal success of IQPC’s global Bridges series, including two regional summits, we are delighted to announce the third Bridges Middle East summit will take place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality and the official support of Ministry of Public Works, Kuwait on 24-27 October 2010 in Abu Dhabi. For more information visit www.bridgesme.com

1. Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Project
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009

2. • Bridges in the region
• Qatar-Bahrain Causeway
(the latest & greatest)
• Design and construction issues
• Introduction of rail
• Technical challenges
Introduction 2

3. Bridges in the Region
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009
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4. Typically: Notably:
• Water crossings • Abu Dhabi
• Connect population centres • Dubai
• Access key infrastructure • Bahrain
Bridges in the Region 4

5. Drivers:
• Economic growth
• Population growth
• Urban expansion
• Development of major
infrastructure
• Increasing traffic
Bridges in the Region 5

6. Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Bridge
Saadiyat Island Bridge (Sheikh Khalifa Bridge) Hodariyat Bridge
Bridges in the Region 6

7. Dubai
Business Bay Bridge
Garhoud Bridge Palm Jebel Ali Crescent Bridges
Dubai
Metro
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing (6th Crossing)
Bridges in the Region 7

8. Bahrain
Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge
Sheikh Isa Causeway
Bridges in the Region 8

9. Sitra Causeway
Bridges in the Region 9

10. King Fahd Causeway
Bridges in the Region 10

11. Qatar-Bahrain Causeway
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009
11

12. QBC
Project Overview
• 40km marine causeway
• 2 lane highway in each direction Bahrain
• Adjacent high-speed rail facility
• 2 dredged navigation channels
• 2 high level arch bridges
Qatar
• 23km bridges / viaducts
• 17km embankments
• 2 rest area islands
• Interchanges, tolling, border facilities
Qatar-Bahrain Causeway 12

13. Qatar-Bahrain Causeway 13

14. Design and Construction Issues
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009
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15. 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 15

16. Material:
• Volumes required
• Need to ensure
– Consistent quality
– Reliability of supply
• High import content
• Marine Borrow
• Durability considerations
Design and Construction issues 16

17. Concrete Durability: Options
• Stainless steel
• Corrosion inhibitor
• Coating
• Cathodic Protection
• Extent of splash zone
Design and Construction issues 17

18. 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 18

19. Alignment at Landing Points
Influenced by:
• Archaeology (Qatar)
• Competing land use (Bahrain)
• Stakeholder Requirements
Design and Construction issues 19

20. Qatar Landing Point
Design and Construction issues 20

21. 3 km
Design and Construction issues 21

22. Design and Construction issues 22

23. Introduction of Rail
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009
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24. Introduction of Rail
Concept design:
• Road only
• Twin deck viaducts
• 80 m viaduct spans
• Cable-stay bridges over
Navigation Channels
Introduction of Rail 24

25. Impact of Rail
• Larger vertical and horizontal loads
– Freight
• Limitation on gradient and horizontal curvature
– High-speed passenger
• Extended Schedule
Introduction of rail 25

26. 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 26

27. Technical Challenges
Bridges Middle East Conference 2009
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28. Environmental
• Zero impact on hydraulic flows
• Extensive baseline measurements
• Ongoing Monitoring
• Constraints on construction methods
Technical challenges 28

29. Quality & Safety
• Remote sites
• Working at height
• Heavy lifts
• 24/7 working
• Cost-driven schedule
• Motivating the workforce
Technical Challenges 29

30. Rail Issues
• Axle Load • Bahrain Network
• Speeds • Qatar Network
• Height Clearance • GCC Network
• Emergency Escape
• Maintenance Access
Technical Challenges 30

31. Dredging of Navigation Channels
• Unsuitable material
• Creative disposal
Ship impact on Main Bridges
• Designed to deflect
• Seismic resistant
• Visual Impact
• Technical challenges
Technical challenges 31

32. Settlement of Embankments
• Soil improvement & testing
• Deferred rail solution
• Ballasted track
High Voltage Interconnect
• Three 220 kV circuits
• Two 400 kV circuits
Technical challenges 32

33. 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 33

34. Thank You
34