MODULAR universal formwork from German formwork specialist Paschal has been used for all vertical faces of the $127-million Mamzar Beach substation, which is being built next to the Al Mamzar Beach Park in Dubai.

The project, scheduled for completion next month, incorporates the first EHV (extra-high-voltage) 400 kV underground electrical power supply system in Dubai.

The project, which broke ground last December, required excavation to a depth of 8.0 m and hence open dewatering. The plant will be operation in May 2011.

The station is being built for the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) in Dubai by Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD). The subcontractor responsible for civil works is Lootah Building & Construction (LBC), a division of the Lootah Group of Companies.

The Paschal subsidiary in Dubai under the direction of the construction engineer, Primo Celeste, was responsible for the formwork planning and supply.

Modular formwork, which is virtually indestructible, easy to work with and comparatively light, was able to satisfy all of the requirements of the project, says a spokesman for Paschal. “The benefits of Modular were quickly recognised on the construction site. One of the reasons for this was the good training provided to the specialised workers by the Paschal sales engineers and installers,” says the spokesman. “Since the cycle planning was very effective, only 1,500 sq m of formwork were necessary. Added to this were 200 sq m which formed several sets of, to some extent, double-high column formwork up to 9 m.”

“Despite the different wall heights of up to 9 m, foundation height changes and a strict schedule drawn up by the consultant Électricité de France International, the Modular formwork satisfied the requirements with ease,” the spokesman concludes.