Gulf Construction Online - GHI tackles Emal project challenge

Dubai Review

GHI formwork ... used in challenging applications.

GHI tackles Emal project challenge

01 April 2009

GERMANY-based GHI Formwork’s Dubai subsidiary, which was established in the region in 2003, has evolved from a third-party component supplier to a full systems provider for some of the largest contractors in the market.

These include Arabtec, Ascon, Al Ahmadiah Contracting and Al Basti and Mukta.
From its initial steps in the UAE component market, GHI’s logistical and technical strength has grown to such an extent that it now provides complex civil works solutions. A recent example is its involvement in the Emirates Aluminium’s (Emal) aluminium smelter being built in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi.
For this prestigious smelter complex, GHI was awarded the contract for the four wet scrubber shells, which are now nearing completion. The scrubber shells, measuring 19 m in length, 21 m in width and 14 m in height, have been completely designed with TriTec steel frame panels. On the back of the success of this contract, GHI has been called upon to provide its services for yet another component of the development.
“With the wet scrubber nearing completion, we were looking forward to another challenging job at Emal together with Al Futtaim Carillion (AFC),” says Ekkehart Misch, managing director, GHI Formwork.
GHI has been awarded a contract on the steam turbine building. Foundation work on the contract started three months ago and the entire structure is expected to be completed next month (May).
Describing the structure for which its formwork is being used, Misch says: “The main slab sits 11 m above ground and above eight 2-metre-square columns. The 3-m-deep concrete slab measures approximately 30 m by 12 m and weighs 2.5 tonnes. The project also involved casting an intermediate beam and a 2.5-m-deep concrete slab surrounded by four of the columns, 5.6 m above the base.”
GHI’s TriTec wall panels were used for the columns and side formwork, providing the client with a fast, effective yet simple-to-use system. Shoring was carried out using lightweight heavy-duty GHI D-15 towers.
“Despite a footprint of just 1 m by 1 m, the 11-m-high towers can support a load of up to 220 kN each and come in just six parts. With their self-locking device, they are easy to erect and dismantle,” he adds.
“A great deal of design work was carried out by GHI’s in-house technical team including scheme design, statistics and shop drawings to satisfy AFC’s client Emal,” he points out.
GHI’s track record on this project is highlighting the benefits and versatility of its TriTec wall system, which has already been used to carry out a number of jobs in this project.
“The system has proved particularly attractive for the client as a hire item due to its durability, fewer components and low assembly time. Another positive aspect is its compatibility to Peri formwork already owned by the client,” Misch says.
GHI is also seeing the benefits of working for this premier contractor on one of the most prestigious and challenging projects under construction in the UAE: It has received an increased number of enquiries as a result.
Commenting on why GHI was chosen for the job, Misch says: “We feel that, apart from our competitive price, the high level of service we provide was a deciding factor in the contractors’ decision to use our system.”
During the evaluation period, with looming deadlines, the client decided to double the amount of equipment needed (20,000 components).
“We were delighted to supply the additional equipment even at a short notice, endorsing the trust placed by contractor. To give more financial flexibility to AFC, we provided equipment worth Dh7 million on a rental basis. This is a major advantage as we are the only ones to rent out steel-framed wall systems even for short term,” he says.
GHI Formwork, which launched operations in Dubai in 2003, has expanded rapidly and has been serving the market through its depot in Al Quoz, Dubai, offering affordable, advanced formwork engineering solutions.
It now plans to introduce TriTec Light system for sites where formwork is required to be manoeuvred without using a crane. This system is offered at a starting price of Dh700 per sq m. “The major benefits of the system are almost the same as with the TriTec system itself but the Light system is suitable for core walls that require small-size panels. It can also be used in conjunction with existing TriTec or Trio, giving great flexibility,” he says.
GHI will also be providing its round formwork system based on H20 beams, which will be a first in the UAE, according to Misch.
The round formwork consists of steel-edge profiles (can be coupled to TriTec steel frame system) and H20 beams plus a rear spindle system to adjust the required radius.
“While round formwork made from steel is available in the UAE (and is expensive), it does not come with H20 beams and especially not in the hire market as GHI is doing,” he explains.
Applications for the system include silos, round lift shafts in combination with climbing gear and round-shaped ramps for parking decks.
Misch is confident that GHI Formwork will continue to prosper in the region, given its many competitive benefits. “All in all, GHI Formwork has a proven ability to weather the current market condition, to the benefit of the client,” he concludes.