Through supplying its innovative StruCad 3D modelling system, AceCad Software, a major software developer for the constructional steel industry, has helped speed up and ensure precision in the steelwork involved in the construction of the iconic Al Kazim Tower building in Dubai.

Accuracy and speed were key criteria when it came to selecting the 3D structural steel detailing package for the fast-track 22-month contract for the construction and completion of the 52-storey twin tower project which is part of the mega Mohammed Amin Al Kazim project, says a spokesman for the AceCad.
Gulf Steel Industries completed the structural detailing of the Al Kazim Tower building in less than three months using the StruCad 3D modelling system.
“This achievement and the scale and complexity of the project have been recognised by AceCad Software, which has awarded Gulf Steel Industries first place in the annual international StruCad drawing competition,” says the spokesman.
“The Al Kazim towers project, which has recently celebrated its ‘top out’ phase of construction, features three basement levels, a ground floor and an eight-storey podium plus two 52-storey towers rising 44 floors above the podium to a height of 203 m. Rising above the towers are two aesthetically-designed roofs ‘topped out’ at 265 m,” says the spokesman.
The spectacular roof structure of each tower consists of approximately 1,200 tonnes of steelwork formed into intricate arches to echo the lines of the world famous Chrysler Building in New York. This aesthetically-pleasing and intricate design was modelled entirely on StruCad, according to K G Surendran, the head of engineering for Gulf Steel Industries, which “enabled the project to be delivered in less time than anticipated and with accuracy to meet and exceed the client’s requirements”.
As a result of the collaborative nature of StruCad, links with analysis and design packages such as STAAD Pro were simply facilitated. The StruCad database enables the bi-directional transfer of design data, streamlining the engineering, design and detailing functions, whilst fabrication data are automatically generated by the system, says the spokesman.
“With accurate automatically-generated fabrication drawings as standard, no time is wasted editing output as is the case with some other systems. Indeed, the project supply chain can be completed through the power of StruCad’s output, such that CAM data may be automatically generated to feed CNC machinery in fabrication. With StruCad freeware enabling unlimited project team collaboration, StruCad delivers both project management tools and complete supply chain integration from engineering through to site erection planning,” he adds.
Al Kazim Tower will include residential, office and commercial space and parking for almost 2,500 cars in the basement and podium levels and is strategically located near the fifth interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road. National Engineering Bureau is the architect, Al Shafar General Contracting Company is the main contractor and econstruct and Gulf Steel Industries are subcontractors on the project. The towers are built on a massive land scale catering to the needs of the business community of Dubai Internet and Media Cities.
StruCad has been used on many landmark projects in the Middle East. Ski Dubai – the largest indoor ski slope in the world in the Mall of the Emirates – as well as the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, both in Dubai, have been modelled almost exclusively with the StruCad 3D modelling system. Other major projects include include the Khalifa Sports Hall, Doha, Qatar and the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi..
“These unique feature architectural projects display just part of the flexibility and power of StruCad, which is used daily by thousands of engineering professionals to complete everything structural from process plant to aircraft hangars, shopping malls to transmission towers,” the spokesman concludes.