Al Wasl Plaza Trellis
- Project Entered by: Robert Bird Group
The Al Wasl Plaza Trellis is a shading structure designed to relate to the rich heritage of UAE culture, as symbolised in the Expo 2020 logo aesthetics. The dome is approximately 75m high and 130m in diameter, consisting of structural steel tube welded hollow sections. Openings at the base are designed to relate to buildings and parcels around Al Wasl, such as the UAE pavilion, Cultural Plaza, and Arrivals Plaza. The fabric used for the shading material is a projection surface. This projection surface combined with the 360° projector system produces a one-of-a-kind spherical projection experience, which will be one of the main attractions for Expo. Given Robert Bird Group’s (RBG) experience in complex structures, it was asked by Meraas to act as its 3rd party structural engineering reviewer for the structure. RBG collaborated with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (Employer’s Architect) and Thornton Tomasetti (Employer’s Engineer) on the project on various aspects of the design. Following this, RBG was requested by the main contractor, Cimolai Rimond Middle East (CRME), to act as its construction engineer and structural reviewer for the construction engineering works on the project. RBG advised CRME on the construction methodology and erection sequence and provided recommendations on the design, which involves complex, non-codified connection arrangements.
