Dubai International Airport Expansion. A self adjusting pre-stressed tension rod façade system

Abstract

The growth of Dubai can probably be best seen through the increase in passenger traffic. Over the last years passenger throughput increased from 4.3 million in 1988 to approximately 60 million in 2010. To meet the travel needs of the influx of travellers and airlines, the government of Dubai has committed to a major expansion plan of US $ 4.1 billion for Dubai International Airport and its affiliated divisions. For the recently opened Terminal 3 consisting of Concourse 2 and Concourse 3 (all dedicated to Emirates Airlines) a self-adjusting pre-stressed tension rod façade system has been developed by Knippers Helbig KHing gmbh. It is used for the 84 `teardrop-windows¿, which differ slightly in geometry, within the 950-metre-long building of Concourse 2 as well as for the 58 'teardrop-windows' within Concourse 3. Furthermore the four gable end walls have been designed by KHing gmbh. The structure of the 'teardrop-windows' consists of two orthogonally arranged tension rod strings, which are curved in opposite directions. They are connected to an edge beam and horizontal compression members, therefore an in itself closed static system is formed. Thus no reaction forces caused by pre-tensioning have to be carried by the primary construction. A combination of pinned and restraint free supports causes low constraint forces within the façade system. Consequently the structure is widely decoupled from influences and especially deflections caused by the primary structure. The pre-tensioning level of the facade system is controlled by detailed geometrical specifications either for fabrication stage as well as within the erection phase. Hence the measurement of pre-tension forces can be reduced to random spot checks. This paper presents the particular features of the structural system developed for the 'teardrop windows'. Furthermore it deals with special constructional details for fabrication stage and erection phase.