The Mina Plaza complex consisted 4 multi story structures constructed above a nine story podium structure. The construction throughout was of reinforced concrete columns and shear walls with elements of pre-stressed floor slabs.
At 50 story, Tower 1 measured over 165 meters (543 feet) in height, making it the tallest building in the world to be demolished by controlled explosives.
Following detailed structural analysis and surveys, the demolition design (including preparatory works, charge weight calculation, protection design, collapse mechanism and delay sequence) applied at Mina Plaza was fully developed and designed by Safedem and Effective Engineering (Safedem’s structural engineers).
Applied Science International (ASI) subsequently constructed a detailed model and simulation of the collapse of the combined towers which was used to validate Safedem’s design and the attached simulation video was used, in advance of demolition, to demonstrate to the Client, the Abu Dhabi authorities and project stakeholders, how the structures would react and respond during the collapse and assist in the planning of the blowdown / implosion.
ASI’s accurate analyses confirmed that Safedem’s proposals would result in a safe and effective demolition of the buildings and that the resultant debris piles would be contained within the required drop zone.
Post demolition analysis and comparison of the ASI model versus the actual demolition collapse, validated the accuracy of the ASI simulation.
William Sinclair, Lead Explosives Engineer and Managing Director of Safedem, stated :
“The ASI collapse simulation added value to the Mina Plaza project on a number of levels. From a demolition engineering perspective, it validated Safedem’s design. From a Client and Stakeholder perspective, it added assurance and advanced understanding of what to expect on demolition day. Safedem will most definitely work with ASI again in the future. “
