Formwork specialist Doka is assisting Dubai-based contractor Al Hamad Construction & Development to overcome tight deadlines on the prestigious Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) project rising on reclaimed land in Manama.

The project with fast floor cycles includes the construction of two 53-storey towers – the Dual Towers, the Financial Mall, a 28-m diameter circular Harbour House.
Al Hamad is determined to improve this already ‘tight’ schedule with faster floor cycles.

Formwork solutions
Al Hamad opted for Doka formwork systems following its experience gained on projects in Dubai.  Fast delivery times from Doka’s nearby Dammam depot across the causeway in Saudi Arabia, was also an important advantage, says depot manager, Mohammed Abdul Raheem. 
“We are able to make deliveries in 24 to 48 hours,” he says.
To date 30 deliveries have been made totalling 450 tonnes with at least a further 10 containers, each weighing 15 tonnes, to be delivered.
The ground floor of the Dual Towers has been divided in half to provide a 10-m high entrance area and two mezzanine levels.
Al Hamad has opted to use a mix of d2 and Aluxo support systems for the full 10 m height supporting Dokaflex tables.
The aluminium-framed Aluxo system has been designed to support flat floor slabs at heights above 4 m up to a maximum of 10 m. The lightweight system is easy and fast to erect and features a 40 kN bearing capacity for each leg, says an Austria-based spokesman for Doka.
Constructed in hot-dipped galvanised steel, the Doka d2 system features three basic frames, 0.9 m, 1.2 m and 1.80 m, allowing table formwork to be assembled to a wide variety of units and layouts offering significant flexibility for the contractor, he says.
Construction includes 2,400 mm by 400 mm thick drop beams supported by Doka’s d2 support system and corrugated sheet slabs. 
Doka’s Frami and Frameco formwork systems are also being used for column construction for a floor height of 4.2 m throughout both towers and the Financial Mall, together with the Top50 system for staircases and some shafts.
The Top50 system has been designed for large-area formwork and is a combination of timber formwork beam, bonded plywood and steel waling allowing panels to be made of any size.
“Thanks to the efficiency of the Doka formwork systems, which ensure fast floor cycle times, we fully expect to meet the revised completion schedule,” a spokesman for Al Hamad Construction concludes.

Air power
A fleet of at least 10 Atlas Copco compressors have been used by main contractor Al Hamad Construction & Development Compnay at the start of its construction contract on the Bahrain Financial Harbour project.
The Atlas Copco compressors including different versions of the single-axle XAS range including XAS 125s, XAS 96s and the new XAS 97’s, were used to provide air power for jack hammers to break the top of the project’s concrete piles exposing the rebar
Currently at least three XAS 97 air compressors are being used to provide air for a variety of air-powered tools around the project. 
“The top-of-the-range XAS 97 is rated to provide a free air delivery (fad) of 5.3 cu m/min (190 cfm) at Bar 7. Also on use is the new generation 7 series of compressors,” says a spokesman for Atlas Copco.
“The recently-introduced new-generation Series 7 compressors have been designed to offer increased reliability, durability and serviceability,” he adds.
It features a completely new canopy design. Fitted as a hinged unit, it can be easily opened or closed smoothly with the aid of sturdy gas springs.  Easy removal of side panels supporting the canopy ensures excellent accessibility to all service components, he concludes.