multiforms - Work begins at Muscat Airport

TPS, the British specialist consultant, has started work on 11 new buildings at the Muscat International Airport as part of its design and build contract for the wider redevelopment of the airport.

The project will include the construction of an air traffic control tower, an air transport management complex, a contingency and training centre, and fire and sea rescue facilities.

“The facilities designed by TPS will be amongst the first to be completed and therefore provide a visual demonstration of progress for the new airport development to an external observer,” said Hanif Macci, regional director of TPS.

“The key challenges for us are to develop designs in parallel, while meeting the different project objectives to a tight timescale. We also have to manage design interfaces for the timely flow of information with designers of other contracts for the airport development.”

Standing at just below 100m, the tower will be the tallest occupied building in Muscat when it opens. The slender structure will be subjected to variable force winds, causing it to sway. TPS will carry out the architectural design of the project while it has appointed Mott Macdonald for the ATC.

RWDI has been appointed as part of the team to analyse the structural characteristics of the tower, and also to re-evaluate wind tunnel test data, while Oman based construction company, Carillion Alawi, will be working with TPS and the sub-consultants to oversee the implementation of their designs during the construction process.

This process will also include the installation of a Tuned Mass Damper, or a suitable alternative, to counter the oscillations of the tower, thus allowing air traffic controllers to continue their work normally.

The Air Transportation Management complex is three buildings linked to a central hub housing the Area Control Centre. The east and west wings of the complex accommodate a variety of supporting facilities including offices, laboratories, classrooms, studios, workshops and staff welfare facilities.

A meteorological department will also be housed in the complex, including a studio which will broadcast national weather forecasts.

The Contingency and Training centre will accommodate operational and technical training facilities including a 100 person capacity auditorium and simulators.

Piling and earthworks for the project began in April and the scheme is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2012. Funded by the Ministry of Transport and Communication on behalf of the government, the airport development is part of a long term strategy to boost Oman’s economy away from oil and turning it towards business and leisure tourism.

The development is also aimed at increasing the presence of the country’s national airline, Oman Air.

Read the full article on Construction Week...

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-13779-tps-begins-work-on-new-buildings-at-oman-airport/