High Speed Rail. In addition, the project entails construction of underground metro systems in three large cities. Among the key challenges of the project are excavation and tunneling works in the densely populated urban centers of Riyadh, Mecca and Jeddah, and more than 800 bridges and tunnels in urban and rural settings to ensure seamless connectivity of the transportation network. 3. Bluewaters Island is the latest land reclamation project, which will extend the city’s waterfront by another 4 mi (6.4 km), and provide space for an entertainment theme park. The project will feature the world’s largest Ferris wheel, Dubai Eye, which will require the design and construction of a unique offshore foundation system. Land reclamation works for the project have not commenced yet, so it appears that this project is a longer- term proposition. 4. A similar announcement was made regarding the Dubai Adventure Studios, which will be completed in time for Expo 2020. This theme park will be built near the Expo Village and will pose numerous foundation design and construction challenges, given the unique nature of the structures. 5. The Deira project will be constructed on top of an existing land reclamation site, offshore of the old city. It will feature a traditional market, commercial and retail units, and a recreational pier and marina. Secant piles are commonly used to support deep excavations in urban settings in Dubai. For this project in Dubai Media City, the consultant recommended the use of a diaphragm wall. Expo 2020 – Dubai In early December 2013, the International Bureau of Expositions formally announced that Dubai will host the World Expo in 2020, paving the way for a number of large-scale construction projects that will break records in terms of size and budget. A new urban center will be developed over 1,100 acres (4.5 sq km) at the southwestern suburb of Jebel-Ali to accommodate the exposition, and will connect to key locations in the city through an intricate transportation network. In parallel, the government of Dubai unveiled a master plan for six other large-scale developments to be completed over the next 10 years. 1. The Mohammad Bin Rashid City is a mixed-use development with over 100 hotels, a large shopping mall, an art gallery and a theme park. The geotechnical site investigation works for a number of projects within the city have already taken place, and the initial foundation designs for several residential and hotel structures are completed. We expect several foundation tenders to start circulating for new projects soon. 2. The Dubai Water Canal is a $7 billion mega-project that will expand the artificial waterway network across the city, and includes a number of transportation infrastructure works to be completed by 2017. A key challenge will be the construction of a 300 ft (91 m) span bridge over the canal, along the city’s existing 12-lane expressway. 6. The Lagoons is a mixed-use development encompassing two skyscrapers, the Dubai Twin Towers, as well as a number of smaller waterfront structures. The site was originally surveyed and prepared prior to the real estate market recession of 2009, but work had not commenced. The site was recently transferred to a new developer, who announced plans to resume construc- tion. DFI members have confirmed that subsurface exploration works are underway, and tenders should circulate soon. Education Activities The chapter provided scholar- ships for three students from the American University in Dubai (AUD) to spend a semester at Georgia Tech, as part of the exchange program between the two universities. Nourhan Farrag, Gha l i a Gama l -Eldin and Mohammed Khimjee, who have been on the Dean’s List at their home university, are members of the DFI Student Chapter at AUD. The scholarship fund was endowed through industry sponsorships from the DFI 2012 conference in Dubai, and will provide them with partial coverage of their tuition at Georgia Tech, where the students registered for their classes in early January. According to the students, the scholarship allows them to engage in a unique opportunity to immerse in a new cultural and educational experience. “We are particularly excited about the opportunity to take classes in geotechnical engineering and concrete design at Georgia Tech, and apply them toward our engineering program at AUD,” said Gamal-Eldin, who is a third year honor student at her home university. AUD students Nourhan Farrag, Ghalia Gamal-Eldin and Mohammed Khimjee are attending a semester at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Ga., through a DFI Middle East Chapter Scholarship. This report from the DFI Middle East Chapter was written by Professor Alaa Ashmawy, P.E., dean of engineering, American University of Dubai 42 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2014
