BG&E was engaged by the Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf JV to provide construction engineering, value engineering, and temporary works design for the construction of the Qatar National Library (QNL).

The QNL is spread over three stories with raking stadium-like terracing and a basement level for book storage, creating a structural form similar to an open book at a scale of 140 metres by 140 metres.

The OMA designed building’s façade panels are hung from the roof and have been created from a unique curved glass profile, utilising the depth of the curve in the glass to provide structural strength and avoid the use of any mullions.

To model the roof and façade integrally, BG&E developed a staged analysis model to determine the displacements at each stage of the installation and designed the fixings to suit these tolerances during the installation of the 27 metre high hung façade elements.

A 3D Tekla modeling for the analysis of the roof structure for the design of the structural elements was undertaken and sent straight to fabrication. BG&E also engineered an alternative design for the raft foundation to limit excavation, increase pour sizes and enable trafficability of the crawler crane on the slab during the construction.

Our scope of work included the following:

• Design of tower crane foundations.
• Scaffold design.
• Propping design.
• Design of concrete slabs and construction joints.
• Retaining wall stability analysis.
• Concrete form work and shoring design.
• Slab design for heavy temporary loads such as fork lifts, elevated work platforms and cranes.
• Slab design for temporary openings
• Redesign of the steel terraced floor beams with new openings to accommodate the articulation of an automated book sorting machine under the slabs.
• GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) ceiling support design.
• Stone cladding support design.
• Façade design of glass elements and gypsum partitions.
• Design of other miscellaneous structures to support special event LED screeds, roof smoke dampers, maintenance access platforms, automated people mover, air grills.
• Construction sequence design of primary roof steel support, secondary roof framing, gutter framing and skylight framing.
• Third party review of subcontractor designs.