Aerial view over Abu Dhabi in 2013, looking across the Maqta Channel toward the Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the Maqta Bridge, with an industrial facility on the far shore.
Sheikh Zayed Bridge (centre) and the Maqta Bridge, viewed across the Maqta Channel, Abu Dhabi, 2013. Resized from the original for web display.
Photo: Валерий Дед (Valeriy Ded), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.
Section 01✓ Free

The Project

Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Channel, Abu Dhabi. Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects. Structural design and construction supervision: High-Point Rendel. Contractor: Archirodon Construction (from 2003); Six Construct (BESIX group) took over as general contractor in 2010. Opened November 2010.

842
M
Length
22
ARCH ELEMENTS
Each separately studied
≤400
T
Bid-basis arch box
630
T
Heaviest main-arch segment
4 × 330
T
Capacity of each strand jack
3–8
DAYS
Support at the largest welds

Figures: ENR, April 2007 (bid basis); Bridge Design & Engineering, February 2011 (arch elements, segments, jacks, welds); Structurae (length).

The 842 m crossing carries twin concrete decks over 11 spans, supported in part by three pairs of steel arches.

The bid assumed bolted joints. The arch segments were site-welded.

Archirodon won the contract in July 2003 for $173 million, 12% below the next lowest bid, on a three-year programme. Its project manager told Engineering News-Record that the bid was based on arch boxes of no more than 400 tonnes, bolted together and erected with a winch travelling on completed arch sections.

The owner's project manager told ENR that a design review found the bolted connections did not meet new codes. There was no room for more bolts, so site welding was adopted.

Welded joints required the segments to be held securely in place while each joint was made. In their construction account, Archirodon's project director and project manager describe full-penetration welds, with segments supported and restrained for three to eight days at the largest joints.

Main-arch segments weighed 300 to 630 tonnes. They were lifted by four strand jacks, each with a capacity of 330 tonnes, working from temporary towers on tubular piles. The same authors say this system was chosen over crane erection because of the availability and access risks of a large floating crane.

Lifting and welding support were separate stages. Each segment was clamped, lowered onto its supports and released from the jacks before welding, and every support carried a load cell. The marina arches took a different route: because of time constraints, they were erected by a 1,500-tonne crawler crane working inside the cofferdam. Each of the 22 arch elements needed its own detailed study and work procedure.

⚙️ Sheikh Zayed Bridge — erection basis at tender versus in construction

Erection basis at tender versus in construction Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Abu Dhabi · main-arch erection · conceptual schematic Design review: bolted connections did not meet new codes; with no room for more bolts, site welding was adopted (owner's PM, ENR 2007) BID BASIS As reported · ENR, April 2007 IN CONSTRUCTION As documented · Bridge Design & Engineering, Feb 2011 water level water level concrete arch box completed arch sections box ≤ 400 t BOLTED JOINT temporary support at bid: not reported winch travelling on completed arch sections 1 · Box positioned with winch on completed arch 2 · Bolted to completed section concrete arch box 4 strand jacks, 330 t each, on turntable travelling crane beams main beams lifting position shown; jacks released before welding FULL-PEN SITE WELD made after release from jacks segment 300–630 t main arch seated on support jack; load cell fitted support truss temporary tower on tubular piles 1 · Lift and position 2 · Clamp; lower onto support truss 3 · Release from jacks 4 · Weld: 3–8 days support at largest welds Marina arches: erected separately by 1,500 t crawler crane (not shown) INDICATIVE EXPOSURE WHEN A CONNECTION ASSUMPTION CHANGES AFTER TENDER [engineering hours above the tender allowance] × [your engineering rate] + [temporary-works tonnes above the tender allowance] × [your installed rate per tonne] + [programme days above the tender allowance] × [your residual daily time-related cost] = indicative exposure Separate cost allocations; the time-related rate excludes costs counted above. Not a project cost estimate. Bid basis, as reported Construction arrangement, as documented Completed structure Indicative exposure (variables only) Conceptual schematic, not to scale. One tower line shown, other towers omitted; transverse members and strand paths in projection. Sources: Engineering News-Record, 25 Apr 2007; Bridge Design & Engineering, 15 Feb 2011. Diagram: Original — EE&HL Network 2026

Diagram: Original — EE&HL Network 2026 · Tap or click the diagram to open it full size.

Related reading: EE&HL case study: Sheikh Zayed Bridge — 22 arch segments, 22 separate erection studies

The Pattern & The Question

How a priced connection assumption carries into another party’s temporary support, sequence and resources, an indicative exposure framework, and three questions for your risk register when a connection detail is still open at tender.

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Sources and further reading

  1. Industry pressEngineering News-Record, “Abu Dhabi’s ‘Illogical’ Crossing Slowly Takes Shape” (25 April 2007)Source: Bid basis, design review, contract extension and budget increase (April 2007).
  2. ContractorBridge Design & Engineering, “Twist and turn” (15 February 2011)Source: Construction account by Archirodon’s project director and project manager: lifting system, segment weights, welding support, marina-arch crane.
  3. Construction engineerBuckland & Taylor Ltd., “Sheikh Zayed Bridge”, Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards submissionSource: Buckland & Taylor’s own project account: fee basis, construction-stage analysis.
  4. Local pressThe National, “Sheikh Zayed Bridge may open in October as new contractors arrive” (30 April 2010)Source: Change of general contractor (April 2010).
  5. Contractor (from 2010)Six Construct, Sheikh Zayed Bridge project recordSource: Six Construct’s project record.

Source labels describe provenance, not authority. See our editorial methodology.

Marco Torri

Founder and Editor, EE&HL Network · Commercial intelligence for erection engineering & heavy lift

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