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Spark・30 minutes read
Engineers at Marina Bay Sands face challenges constructing three skyscrapers and a sky park, using innovative solutions to overcome structural issues and complete the groundbreaking project funded by Sheldon Adelson. Despite setbacks like the 2008 financial crisis and construction hurdles, precise planning and execution lead to the successful completion of iconic structures like the Museum of Impractical Dimensions and unique crystal pavilions in Marina Bay.
Insights
- Engineers at Marina Bay Sands are implementing innovative construction solutions, such as diaphragm walls and temporary struts, to overcome challenges like unstable soil and structural stability, ensuring the successful completion of the complex project.
- The construction of Marina Bay Sands faces significant financial hurdles, with the 2008 global financial crisis threatening to halt the project until billionaire investor Adelson steps in, underscoring the critical role of financial backing in large-scale developments.
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Recent questions
How did engineers address unstable ground at Marina Bay Sands?
By building 1.5m thick diaphragm walls.
Who invested in the Marina Bay project?
Sheldon Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
What challenges did engineers face during the construction of Marina Bay Sands?
Challenges included building the crystal pavilions in water.
Who was commissioned to create a sculpture for Marina Bay Sands?
Renowned British sculptor Anthony Gormley.
How did engineers ensure the stability of the hotel towers at Marina Bay Sands?
By using temporary struts and tension cables.
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Summary
00:00
Building Marina Bay Sands: Engineering Marvel Unveiled
- Engineers at Marina Bay Sands are tasked with constructing three skyscrapers to support a massive sky park, facing the challenge of assembling a 60m tall Museum of Impractical Dimensions and installing large artworks and floating pavilions.
- Singapore, a small country, is building its largest leisure and entertainment hub, Marina Bay Sands, on reclaimed waterfront land, presenting serious challenges due to the unique complex's design and structural requirements.
- The hotel towers at Marina Bay Sands are at risk of buckling due to their steep angles, with the 340m Sky Park on top housing gardens, pools, and an observation deck, requiring innovative construction solutions.
- Sheldon Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, invests $5-5.5 billion in the Marina Bay project, entrusting architect Moshe Safdie to create a groundbreaking development that will redefine Singapore's tourism landscape.
- Engineers combat the unstable marine clay beneath the construction site by building 1.5m thick diaphragm walls, enclosing a vast area to provide a stable foundation for the project.
- Over 16,500 workers are hired to construct all buildings simultaneously, with a focus on organizational excellence and efficient construction methods to meet tight deadlines.
- To support the unique design of the hotel towers, engineers use temporary struts and tension cables, later making the cables permanent to ensure the towers' stability during construction.
- The art science museum undergoes a design overhaul, with architect Moshe Safdie refining the structure using advanced 3D modeling programs to create a buildable and visually striking superstructure.
- The museum's superstructure, consisting of 5,600 steel elements weighing 5,200 tons, is prefabricated with precision and assembled on-site like a giant jigsaw puzzle, requiring meticulous installation.
- Engineers face challenges in constructing the massive atrium at the base of the towers, implementing Safdie's complex design with precision and accuracy to ensure the successful completion of the project.
22:05
"Art, Sculpture, Crisis: Marina Bay Project Saga"
- The designer aims to infuse art into the atrium's architecture, evoking a grand Gothic cathedral ambiance from medieval times.
- Renowned British sculptor Anthony Gormley is commissioned to create a cloud-like sculpture of 15 tons of stainless steel, challenging traditional sculpting methods.
- The 2008 global financial crisis halts funding for the Marina Bay project, jeopardizing its completion.
- Billionaire investor Adon pledges personal wealth to ensure the project's continuation, averting a potential failure.
- Engineers face constructing the 15-ton steel sculpture, "Drift," by prefabricating it into 70 segments and assembling it in the atrium.
- A tense moment arises during the sculpture's installation as a potential issue prolongs the process from an estimated 10 hours to a 24-hour marathon lift.
- The completion of the sculpture marks a significant milestone amidst the project's challenges, with attention shifting to the construction of the crystal pavilions.
- Engineers tackle the challenge of building the crystal pavilions in Marina Bay's waters using a cofferdam to keep the construction site dry.
- Leaks in the cofferdam pose a threat, requiring divers to identify and seal the entry points, ensuring the project's progress.
- Extensive wind testing and innovative engineering solutions are employed to safeguard the Marina Bay Towers and Sky Park from potential typhoon damage, ensuring the project's structural integrity.
44:46
Massive Box Girder Lift in Singapore
- The construction project involves prefabricated segments tested by Steel Specialists and transported to the site independently. The biggest challenge is lifting two massive Box girders, each 80 meters long and weighing a total of 1,400 tons.
- To lift the girders, a process called strand jacking is used, employing temporary lifting gantries with hydraulic jacks made of strong structural steel. The lift, the longest and largest of its kind globally, is overseen by Swiss French company VSL engineer Eddie King and his team, requiring precise planning and execution within millimeters.
- The operation faces complications due to conducting the lift during Singapore's monsoon season, with unpredictable tropical storms and lightning strikes posing risks. Despite challenges, the team successfully completes the 16-hour lift, showcasing the remarkable engineering feat behind the project.
