July 18, 2007: Dubai construction floods

Undertoad · 07-18-2007, 07:41 AM

DucksNuts was so happy to get a IotD about construction that she immediately comes back with another one!

You remember that Dubai is currently the construction capital of the world; it's been the feature of several IotDs including the indoor skiing area, the tallest hotel in the world, etc.

This tower being built in Dubai's Marina was supposed to look like this: 80 stories high, with a 90 degree twist. It would sit right on the edge of the Arabian sea. A website was developed for it and construction began. They dug the area for the foundation and built a wall to keep the sea out.

And then one day the workers heard a loud crack and felt movement.

And saw sand coming in, and then water.

The workers were told to evacuate immediately. And it was a good thing they did, because two minutes later, the entire retaining wall then collapsed.

And in four minutes, the entire dig was completely flooded.

Looks peaceful now.

They are going ahead with the project, but it will be delayed a year.

glatt · 07-18-2007, 07:57 AM

Wow. Dubai doesn't have OSHA does it?

This is an amazing set of pictures. It's good somebody had a camera handy.

Why does this always happen in Dubai? I'm sure the picture below is somewhere else in the Cellar, but I couldn't find it, so I attached it. Here's a Dubai dry dock flooding because of a gate failure.

Uisge Beatha · 07-18-2007, 08:07 AM

Apparently in Dubai they do buy real estate and they do buy construction equipment, but they do not buy the services of good geologists and engineers.

Shawnee123 · 07-18-2007, 08:17 AM

Just wow!

Flint · 07-18-2007, 08:34 AM

It's because of the outrageous ambition of their projects. Aren't these the people who are also building an island, the entire foundation of which is behind retaining walls designed to hold the (completely surrounding) ocean out? Apparently, they really like to challenge nature.

gmr2048 · 07-18-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Aren't these the people who are also building an island

Apparently, more than one:

http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/...ld_islands.php

Snapple · 07-18-2007, 10:48 AM

I don't know about the rest of you - but I just wouldn't feel safe living or working or whatever in that building should it ever get finished. The 90 degree twist is suspicious enough, nevermind its proximity to the ocean and now tainted history.

No.

Thanks.

jinx · 07-18-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmr2048

Apparently, more than one:

Yup

Uisge Beatha · 07-18-2007, 11:21 AM

Yeah, the folks in Dubai really know about stupid shit to do with money.

BigV · 07-18-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

It's because of the outrageous ambition of their projects. Aren't these the people who are also building an island, the entire foundation of which is behind retaining walls designed to hold the (completely surrounding) ocean out? Apparently, they really like to challenge nature.

Not very exotic. Haven't you ever heard of a cofferdam?

Spexxvet · 07-18-2007, 12:05 PM

Now they have a really nice ground-floor, salt-water pool!

Piccolo Padawan · 07-18-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapple

I don't know about the rest of you - but I just wouldn't feel safe living or working or whatever in that building should it ever get finished. The 90 degree twist is suspicious enough, nevermind its proximity to the ocean and now tainted history.

No.

Thanks.

I concur.

What an epic idea, though.

Flint · 07-18-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Not very exotic.

The image in post #8 is not very exotic?

freshnesschronic · 07-18-2007, 04:45 PM

FOUR MINUTES???????????????????????????????????????????????

xoxoxoBruce · 07-18-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

The image in post #8 is not very exotic?

I think BigV was referring to the method of building the foundation, in a wet area. It's done all the time. The building design is certainly exotic, as are all the new skyscrapers they are building over there, including the next world's tallest building.

07-18-2007, 07:41 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	July 18, 2007: Dubai construction floods DucksNuts was so happy to get a IotD about construction that she immediately comes back with another one! You remember that Dubai is currently the construction capital of the world; it's been the feature of several IotDs including the indoor skiing area, the tallest hotel in the world, etc. This tower being built in Dubai's Marina was supposed to look like this: 80 stories high, with a 90 degree twist. It would sit right on the edge of the Arabian sea. A website was developed for it and construction began. They dug the area for the foundation and built a wall to keep the sea out. And then one day the workers heard a loud crack and felt movement. And saw sand coming in, and then water. The workers were told to evacuate immediately. And it was a good thing they did, because two minutes later, the entire retaining wall then collapsed. And in four minutes, the entire dig was completely flooded. Looks peaceful now. They are going ahead with the project, but it will be delayed a year.

07-18-2007, 07:57 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Wow. Dubai doesn't have OSHA does it? This is an amazing set of pictures. It's good somebody had a camera handy. Why does this always happen in Dubai? I'm sure the picture below is somewhere else in the Cellar, but I couldn't find it, so I attached it. Here's a Dubai dry dock flooding because of a gate failure. Attached Images

07-18-2007, 08:17 AM	#4
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Just wow! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-18-2007, 08:34 AM	#5
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	It's because of the outrageous ambition of their projects. Aren't these the people who are also building an island, the entire foundation of which is behind retaining walls designed to hold the (completely surrounding) ocean out? Apparently, they really like to challenge nature. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-18-2007, 12:05 PM	#11
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Now they have a really nice ground-floor, salt-water pool! __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

07-18-2007, 08:07 AM	#3
Uisge Beatha Lecturer Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 945	Apparently in Dubai they do buy real estate and they do buy construction equipment, but they *do not* buy** the services of good geologists and engineers.

07-18-2007, 10:48 AM	#7
Snapple Sibling of the Commonweal Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: in the t dot oh dot Posts: 16	I don't know about the rest of you - but I just wouldn't feel safe living or working or whatever in that building should it ever get finished. The 90 degree twist is suspicious enough, nevermind its proximity to the ocean and now tainted history. No. Thanks.

07-18-2007, 11:21 AM	#9
Uisge Beatha Lecturer Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 945	Yeah, the folks in Dubai really know about stupid shit to do with money.

07-18-2007, 04:45 PM	#14
freshnesschronic Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,555	FOUR MINUTES???????????????????????????????????????????????

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