The construction of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) in the UAE has reached a critical phase with the process of de-propping the curved roof. This will give the impression that the futuristic structure is floating above 18 steel arches.
A team of 45 specialists with 60 hydraulic jacks will systematically remove nine props used for constructing the roof element. The supporting structure for the MTB central roof consists of 18 inclined arches of varying heights, and a roof grillage in total weighing around 20,000 metric tons. The de-propping process is scheduled for completion by February 2016. The roof will also feature the world’s longest indoor arch spanning 590ft, at a height of 170ft, with a weight of around 1,000 metric tons.
Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, the airport operator, said, “It is truly amazing to witness this great progress. We are extremely proud to maintain our track record of achieving key construction milestones safely in spite of the project’s architectural complexity. Currently the whole project is 55% complete and it is expected to be 70% complete by the end of 2015.
“We owe this tremendous success to our outstanding construction team, the contractors and the Capital Projects & Construction Division, for masterminding a cutting edge approach for this immensely complicated task. The MTB’s presence on Abu Dhabi’s iconic skyline is reflective of our unwavering commitment toward the redevelopment of the Emirate’s aviation infrastructure.
“The MTB is set to become the gateway to the capital city and plays an important role in raising the profile of Abu Dhabi as a world-class transportation hub. It is also contributing to the diversification of the Emirate’s economy by fostering growth in other industries through increased connectivity.”
