Mark L Batchelar Consulting Engineers
Project Location:
Abu Dhabi
Categories:
Commercial Engineering Excellence, Clever Wood Solution
Project Description:
Ruby’s restaurant concept was developed by UK Architects Broadway Malyan for the Al Raha Beach Resort in Abu Dhabi. The concept was a “floating” structure with dramatic curved profiles. The curved structural elements suited the use of glue-laminated timber and Mark L Batchelar Consulting Engineers was engaged by Global Timber Homes Ltd to develop an initial timber structural system to establish the feasibility of the concept.
The design, supply and construct contract submission was successful and detailed structural design was then progressed by Mark L Batchelar Consulting Engineers. The design maximised the use of New Zealand timber products with a total of ten container loads of New Zealand certified renewable resource timber used in the project.
The unusual geometry of the structure with asymmetry in both elevation and plan made for a complex structural model. Crowd loading, wind, seismic and fire requirements necessitated the assessment of twenty separate loading combinations.