01 September 2024
Kooheji Contractors has announced that it has once again demonstrated its engineering prowess with the completion of the largest concrete pour in Bahrain for 2024. This achievement is part of the ongoing construction of the Onyx Skyview, a landmark development that is set to redefine luxury living in the heart of Bahrain Bay.
The Onyx Skyview project, currently at 15 per cent completion, reached the critical milestone with the pouring of 6,977 cu m of concrete for the raft foundation.
“This massive volume of concrete was placed in a single operation that spanned 32 hours, making it the largest concrete pour of the year,” stated a spokesman for the company. “This achievement underscores the meticulous planning and strategic execution that Kooheji Contractors is renowned for, setting a new benchmark for construction projects in the region.”
The project’s success was the culmination of months of detailed planning, rigorous quality control, and the tireless efforts of a dedicated team. This engineering triumph was made possible through a series of joint inspections conducted by Kooheji Contractors and MSCEB engineering teams, he said. “Every aspect of the structural and architectural details were well coordinated, and all QA/QC requirements were scrutinised to ensure that the foundation would meet the highest standards of safety and durability.
“The success of this operation hinged on the meticulous planning and impeccable quality control procedures implemented by the Kooheji Contractors team in coordination with our readymix concrete supplier. Led by the QA/QC manager, the team ensured that every phase of the concrete pour was executed with precision. One of the most critical challenges during this huge operation was to maintain the top levels for various areas of the raft, as it ensured the structural and architectural integrity of the entire foundation. This level of attention to detail is a hallmark of Kooheji Contractors’ approach to construction, where quality is never compromised,” he added.
The logistics of the pour were equally impressive. The operation involved 874 readymix agitator trucks, which supplied the concrete needed to complete the pour uninterrupted. These trucks worked in tandem with nine concrete-placing pumps, which operated continuously to place the concrete to the site. The entire operation required 2,750 man-hours, a testament to the scale and complexity of the task.
The coordination required to manage such a large workforce and fleet of vehicles was no small feat, and it is a credit to Kooheji Contractors’ project management capabilities that the pour was completed without any major incidents,” the spokesman pointed out.
Kooheji Contractors’ commitment to innovation played a pivotal role in the success of this project. Advanced construction techniques and technologies were employed to ensure that the concrete pour was executed efficiently and safely. The use of modern equipment and machinery, coupled with the expertise of the Kooheji Contractors team, allowed the project to progress smoothly despite the challenges inherent in such a large-scale operation.
Elaborating on the challenges of the operation, the spokesman said: “One of the key challenges in any large concrete pour is ensuring that the concrete sets evenly and that there is no honeycombing or segregation which results in weaknesses in the foundation. To address this, Kooheji Contractors utilised state-of-the-art concrete pumps and mixers, which were capable of delivering the concrete at a consistent rate and pressure, which was well reinforced with up-to-date vibrating techniques. This technology, combined with the skill of the operators, ensured that the concrete was placed evenly across the entire foundation.”
In addition to the mechanical aspects of the pour, Kooheji Contractors also employed advanced monitoring and control systems to track the progress of the operation in real-time. These systems provided valuable data on the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of the concrete, allowing the team to make adjustments as needed to maintain the quality of the pour. This level of control was critical in ensuring that the pour was completed to the highest standards.
The scale of this concrete pour presented numerous challenges, both logistical and technical. However, Kooheji Contractors’ experience and expertise in managing large-scale construction projects allowed the company to overcome these challenges with ease. One of the primary challenges was coordinating the delivery of such a large volume of concrete to the site.
With 874 truck loads involved in the operation, timing and logistics were crucial to ensure that the concrete was delivered on schedule and at the right temperature.
Another challenge was managing the sheer number of workers on site. With 2,750 man-hours required to complete the pour, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the workforce was a top priority. Kooheji Contractors’ commitment to safety was evident in the rigorous training and safety protocols that were in place throughout the operation. As a result, the pour was completed without any major safety incidents, a remarkable achievement given the scale and complexity of the task.
The completion of this concrete pour marks a significant milestone in the construction of Onyx Skyview, a project that is set to become one of Bahrain’s most iconic developments. Once complete, Onyx Skyview will offer residents a blend of luxury and convenience, with state-of-the-art amenities and stunning views of the Bahrain skyline.
“The project is a testament to Kooheji Contractors’ commitment to excellence and innovation in construction, and it is set to raise the bar for future developments in the region.
“But the impact of this project extends beyond the boundaries of the Onyx Skyview site. The successful completion of the largest concrete pour of 2024 in Bahrain has set a new standard for the construction industry in the kingdom. It has demonstrated what is possible when meticulous planning, advanced technology, and skilled craftsmanship come together in pursuit of a common goal. For Kooheji Contractors, this project is not just a milestone; it is a showcase of their capabilities and a reaffirmation of their position as a leader in the construction industry,” he concluded.
With the foundation now in place, the focus of the Onyx Skyview project will shift to the construction of the superstructure. This next phase will be equally challenging, as it will involve the erection of the building’s core and shell, which will ultimately define the architectural character of the development. However, given the success of the foundation phase, there is every reason to be confident that the remaining phases of the project will be completed with the same level of excellence, said Kooheji Contractors.