Fast-track projects demand new strategies in Qatar

Fast-track projects demand new strategies in Qatar

Doha largely unacquainted with fast-track construction, says UrbaCon Contracting & Trading

UrbaCon Contracting & Trading (UCC) has noted how fast-track projects are requiring Qatari contractors to use innovate construction strategies often relatively unfamiliar to the country.

Joseph M.J, planning director at UCC, says: “Because most of the projects we are handling are fast-track, we have to execute the project in an unconventional manner, and here, as a turnkey contractor, we have to bring in the capability of design management.”

Mohamed  Moataz AlKhayat, notes: “The Doha market is not used to these fast-track projects, and success comes down to the careful planning of the construction. We never compromise quality, but do pursue alternative construction methods and technologies.”

Two particular methods that UCC is employing to accelerate its schedules are a change in design of both the formwork systems to get a faster output and in the design of pre-cast as opposed to conventional structures.

M.J explains: “For slabs, rather than going for conventional slab formwork we use table forms for which we can dismantle and handle the formwork more easily and more rapidly.”

“We have also changed the conventional slab into post-tensioned slabs, allowing us to strip off the formwork much earlier - within a week to ten days rather than weeks.”

UCC has then implemented the technique on several heavy structure projects in Qatar, including in the construction of the underground car park for Souq Waqif.

Ramez  AlKhayat, MD of UCC, notes: “Pre-cast is not that widely used in Qatar, but at Souq Waqif we used pre-cast columns reaching three floors high, so if you carefully manage the pre-cast there is an advantage because there is always a pre-construction process.”

One reason why pre-cast is so unusual in Qatar is that it relies even more so than other construction techniques on precise just-in-time logistics, from factory straight to site.

M.J adds: “Unless pre-cast is well managed it may give a negative effect, because if you are late in the delivery of the pre-cast elements then there is no value in it. However, on balance, if you can pull it off than it saves time as well as risk on-site.”