CONSTRUCTION of Al Hilal Bank’s new, shining commercial office tower in Abu Dhabi’s new commercial and financial district is well under way with main contractor Al Fara’a General Contracting relying on formwork specialist Doka for all the formwork requirements of the project.

Located on Al Maryah Island, the building consists of six parking basements, three sub-podium parking levels and 25 floors. Doka has supplied a complete formwork solution for all vertical and horizontal in-situ concrete elements, having been entrusted with all forming operations to execute the 13-month schedule for shell completion of the commercial office tower.

To achieve a five-day pouring cycle, horizontal elements are built with Dokaflex tables in conjunction with Doka’s Table Lifting System (TLS), and the vertical elements are formed with large-area formwork Top 50 and automatic climbing formwork SKE 50.

The TLS is mounted on the edge of the building as a climbing device to move the table systems crane-independently up to the next floor. A comprehensive system of features makes for fast and safe working, both when operating the TLS itself and during repositioning of the table forms. The TLS can lift the floor-slab formwork over three levels and carries on its operation safely even during strong winds.

Doka’s load-bearing systems Staxo 40 and Staxo 100 provide a solution for high heights and heavy floor slabs, allowing for logical, safe and fast assembly and easy repositioning.

An artist’s impression of the tower.

Since delivery frequency and storage space within the Al Hilal Bank commercial project area is restricted, logistical coordination and on-time delivery are crucial in keeping the project on schedule, according to Doka.

As part of its added value service portfolio, Doka Abu Dhabi’s team provides daily support through project coordination and assistance to uphold safe and secure progress on site.

With concrete work scheduled for completion in just 13 months, Doka’s efficient formwork systems are fundamental to improve construction speed, the company says, adding that Al Fara’a General Contracting and Doka are working as strong partners toward completion of the challenges with full success.

Doka is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and distributing formwork technology for use in all fields of the construction sector. With more than 160 sales and logistics facilities in over 70 countries, the Doka Group has a highly efficient distribution network which ensures that equipment and technical support are provided swiftly and professionally.

Doka Middle East has 12 subsidiaries across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Jordan.

Its engagement with customers initiates from the earliest design stage of a project through to its shell completion. With each project requirement, customers receive added value services from their local Doka branch offices – including consulting, engineering, onsite and classroom training by Doka formwork instructors, sales and rental, material inspection, reconditioning and return.

The region’s logistics are supported with stockyards in each country, plus a 50,000-sq-m regional hub in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, UAE.