Akhmat Tower: Main Design Challenges and Engineering Survey
Last year we started series of publications on the design and construction of a unique and grand scale project in the center of Grozny – multi-functional megatall complex Akhmat Tower named as a tribute to the first President of the Chechen Republic, Hero of Russia, Akhmat-Hadji Kadyrov. The article discusses main design issues solved and engineering survey performed by leading world famous companies involved in project implementation by the developer –SMART BUILDING – with the project owner, MFC Akhmat Tower. The article deals with the complexities encountered when designing such types of facilities against the background of a limited legislative base, requirements for special technical specifications developed along with research and development support.
The author of the MFC Akhmat Tower project is Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, architectural office based in the US. This is the first project implemented in our country by an internationally recognized company of designers who created the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa in the UAE. Choosing such a top and world famous architect as Adrian Smith entangled several important decisions to be made on behalf of SMART BUILDING, the technical customer and project developer. As a result of thorough selection Thornton Tomasetti Corporation was chosen to become the general designer, and GORPROJECT became the general design contractor. Various other companies, Russian and international, recognized as professionals in their spheres of business, were involved to work on different stages and milestones of the project. Close cooperation of contractors under the developer’s clear coordination and control over work performance ensured preparation of required design documentation of high quality and guaranteed reliability and safety of each structural element constructed of the tower being built.
It is worth mentioning that such leading companies as Langan International (USA) and RWDI (Canada), which are rare players on the Russian construction market, have also participated in the project. The former was the geotechnical consultant and designer of the piling foundation, and the latter was the consultant on aerodynamic loads and development of a damping system. Apart from engineering survey consulting, Langan International carried out an independent assessment of seismic risks at the construction site and made a series of far earthquake simulations. These data were used in the skyscraper design. According to the company representatives, the key experience they got out of work on this project is an ability to work with the specific Russian legal framework that differs significantly from its Western analogue. They had to take into account local survey methods, regulations and rules applied to calculations of bored piles for earthquake-resistant construction. Therefore, the developer made a decision to arrange survey using both Western and Russian methods. A positive conclusion about compliance with all requirements was made only when the results met expectations of the both sides.
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