Designed with KPF Architects for Abu Dhabi Airports
The Midfield Terminal building at Abu Dhabi International Airport demonstrates how Arup combines multiple skills to simplify the most complex and ambitious architectural designs.
Ed Forwood, Façade Project Manager
A freeform glazed façade forms the front elevation of the terminal building. 70m tall and 500m long, it features multi-layered and fully exposed steelwork. A series of bespoke connections slide and rotate joints in the steelwork to allow movement under temperature cycles, earthquakes and blast. Arup Façade Engineering led the structural design of the elements and connections across all four layers of structure, co-ordinating closely with the blast analysis team in Arup Advanced Technology and Research (ATR) and Arup’s large pool of structural engineers. We represented the complexity graphically to ensure understanding of the structure and glazing, including contouring surfaces and diagrams to explain movements. The facade features over 70 different types of bespoke connection. The exposed structure demanded a minimal appearance but each connection, including sliding joints, pinned connections and custom-made bearing pads, had a complex range of structural requirements. To aid understanding of how these connections went together, we used 3D game engine technology to demonstrate fabrication sequences for complex junctions along with 3D pdfs to convey connection details. The façade team also rationalized the geometry of the wall, simplifying a double curved surface into one made up only of singly curved panels, enabling more routine fabrication processes to be made. The Midfield Terminal Building is both complex and high performance and has required a multidisciplinary approach to really make it work. Our response has been driven by a need to simplify the structure but the tools we use to verify and communicate to the design team and the client have provided a more thorough understanding for all of us of what can be achieved. ed.forwood@arup.com
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