The grand Nad Al Sheeba Racecourse structure comprises 10-storeys and features a world-class hotel, museum and grandstand areas across a total length of approximately 900 metres.

The original design by the main consultant proposed the use of multi-strand anchors and heavy stressing equipment. This system presented many logistical problems for the construction team as well as being an expensive option.

BG&E provided structural and construction engineering services for the development, including proposing a design that utilised flat duct slab stressing tendons, thereby only requiring lightweight mono-strand stressing equipment. This approach provided a considerable reduction in construction costs.

Some of the key elements of the design are set-out below.

• Spans for primary beams were up to 23-metres long and cantilevers up to 9.5-metres long, as well as in some cases, beams required to support transfer columns.
• All post-tensioned beams were to be prepared to meet Class 2 design requirements which essentially means that the concrete must remain uncracked.
• Very large columns that were highly reinforced, thus making it difficult to pass tendons through. There was a limitation of only two locations through which tendons could pass through columns.

Our technical experts also undertook finite element analysis to assess the effects of restraint from large columns and cores on the final level of pre-compression in the beams and additional stressing was added to compensate for any losses of prestress. This was critical in achieving the Class 2 design requirements.

By careful placement of tendons and anchors, all of the objectives of the design and construction were deployed.