1. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Sustainable Upgrading of Urban Interchanges
Presented by Javad Akhtar Function Manager Bridges

2. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Challenges for Upgrading Urban Interchanges
• Drivers for Change – Traffic Growth, Safety, Environment
• Adapt to Constraints of existing Infrastructure
• Need Sustainable Solutions – to cater for variety of
transport modes and road users
• Create Pedestrian and Cycle Friendly Environment
This presentation will address the specific challenges of some
generic projects which will be used as case-studies:

3. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Existing Elevated Roundabout
Existing Bridges
3rd Level Fly-over
Proposal

4. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Existing Bridges

5. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Existing verses Proposed Structure
EXISTING
PROPOSED

6. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Value Engineering Case-Study - 1
• Avoidance of planned 3-Level Interchange solution by adoption of
SPUI-type Signalised Junction Configuration
• Adoption of Spread Footing Foundations in lieu of piled
foundations recommended in original Geotechnical
Recommendations
• Precast “Crash-Deck” System – avoid separate steel frame
crash-deck and minimize height
• Jointless Structure – for reduced maintenance
• Avoidance of “Tunnel Effect” – maintain natural ventilation by
suitable junction layout

7. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Avoidance of 3-Level Interchange
Demonstrate Traffic Capacity and Level of Service by Traffic
Simulation Modeling of SPUI Type Junction
• Reduced no of phases (3)
• Through movements East-
West can only be made
using underpass
• Existing Structure retained
to provide separate U-Turn
Movement

8. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Spread Footing Foundations in lieu of piles
• GIR recommended piled foundations on medium-
dense sand (to avoid excessive settlements)
• Detailed stage settlement analysis undertaken
• Special precautions for pipes passing through the
structure
• Client support for approach

9. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Precast “Crash-Deck” System
• Precast Voided Beam Deck with composite insitu topping
• Can be erected overnight/weekend – minimal traffic disruption
• No need for separate crash-deck, hence traffic can be permitted
under once secured, edge protected and sealed.
• No “Headroom raising” due to no separate steel formwork/crash deck
system
• Integral (joint-free) portal-frame construction
• Precast advantages of quality, speed, minimise site works

10. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Integral Construction
• Insitu deck poured after precast beam placement
• No bearings
• Simple Expansion Joints in Asphalt itself

11. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Openings in Deck retained to avoid Tunnel Effect
• No mechanical Ventilation etc. as Tunnel Classification avoided

12. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Case Study 2 - Widening of 2-Cell Box-Underpass
• To improve the traffic
serviceability level of the
existing junction
• To improve pedestrian safety
Original Concept Proposals following
Traffic Studies:
20 m extensions to Underpass each side

13. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Value Engineering Case-Study - 2
• Change layout of SPUI-type Signalised Junction to minimize
extension of structure (reduce 20m potential extension to only
3.5m)
• Adoption of Precast Deck Extension for rapid erection with
minimal traffic disruption
• “Worst-Case Scenario” appraisal of existing Structure to justify
supporting new extension (Sustainable use of existing)
• Jointless Structure – for reduced maintenance
• Avoidance of “Tunnel Effect” – maintain natural ventilation by
minimizing extent of widening

14. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Change layout of SPUI-type Signalised Junction
• Change layout of SPUI-type Signalised Junction to minimize
extension of structure (reduce 20m potential extension to only
3.5m)
• Avoidance of “Tunnel Effect” – maintain natural ventilation by
minimizing extent of widening

15. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
Precast System for extension
Existing structure as support

16. 2015 Bridges & Highway Conference UAE
THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?

17. 25 & 26 May 2015
Conrad Dubai, UAE
This is a draft agenda and is subject to change. This is a private document and is not for distribution or publishing.
Conference day one
Monday, 25 May 2015
08:00 Start of conference registration with welcome refreshments
08:45 Opening remarks from IQPC and introduction to Chair
08:50 Opening remarks from the conference Chair and start of conference
Achieving excellence in bridge and highway design and engineering
09:00 The impact of oil prices on the region’s transport and infrastructure market
The Middle East region is heavily dependent on its oil to finance the development of transport and
infrastructure projects. Fluctuation in oil prices increases the vulnerability of oil producing countries to unstable
economies and weak spending plans. Diversification of the economies is therefore essential national strategy
for meeting development challenges and sustaining future prosperity. The presentation will discuss:
• How fluctuations in the price of oil is shaping the region’s macro-economy and how it is defining the
regional priorities for expenditure on transport and infrastructure
• Discussing future trends and the factors affecting growth drivers and growth restraints to meet these
trends
Nidal Odeh, Project Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff
09:30 BIM and bridges – the next step for building better bridges?
BIM has many great benefits if applied correctly which include more economical designs and improved
maintenance. BIM is fast gaining interest in the bridges sector however its application is not straight forward.
The following presentation will provide a context for the use of BIM in bridges. More specifically:
• Changing the way we spend our money - how can BIM improved capital expenditure on bridge assets
• Improving the timeframe of project delivery through the application of BIM
• Utilising BIM to transform asset management and maintenance from an afterthought to a structured
process
Fareed Siddiqi, Director of Structures & Highways, AECOM
10:00 Panel discussion: Solving traffic woes through proper planning, engineering and construction of
transport infrastructure
Congested cities, limited space and a drive for sustainability have placed pressure on engineers and
designers to innovate. The following panel will debate 3 core issues that industry professionals are currently
dealing with in respect to bridges and highways:
• Planning – are we planning in the best way possible to ensure best utilisation of limited city space,
interconnectivity between infrastructure and placement of roads and bridges?
• Sustainability – what does this mean in the context of bridges and highways and to what extent do we
pursue alternative building materials such LED lighting ad recycled materials
• Best practice in construction – considering broader aspects of bridge and highway construction, including
safety, sustainability and delivery
Dr Ghassan Ziadat, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Atkins
Neil Walmsley, Director, Middle East Planning Leader, Arup
Fareed Siddiqi, Director of Structures & Highways, AECOM
Dr Ali A. Mahdi, Associate Director - Bridges and Tunnels, WSP Middle East
Dr. Praveen Maghelal, Associate Professor - Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Planning, Department of
Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute
10:40 Networking break and refreshments
11:10 Case study: Planninf for and constructing bridges in congested urban environments
Frederic P. Legeron, Bridge & Tunnel UAE District Manager, Parsons
11:40 MSM®2, the second generation of Maurer Sliding Material in Bridge bearings
• Properties of the new material
• Description of the cold flow test with 40 MPA and 60° C
• Comparison to other sliding materials
Raad Hamood, Sales Director, Middle East & North Africa MAURER AG

18. 25 & 26 May 2015
Conrad Dubai, UAE
This is a draft agenda and is subject to change. This is a private document and is not for distribution or publishing.
12:10 Case study: Designing and delivering the King Abdullah Financial District monorail
KEO was awarded the design contract for the Riyadh Monorail which is an important transport link for the King
Abdullah Financial District. The following presentation will discuss the design of the 3.5Km elevated sections,
rail viaducts, switch bridges, long span bridges and 131 piers. In addition:
• Demonstrating unique design elements of the monorail that support durability and maintenance
• Overseeing the construction of the monorail though congested areas and minimising impact on project
schedule
Walid Farahat, Project Manager, KEO International Consultants
12:40 Engineering fit for purpose interchanges and structures to meet traffic demand without exceeding
budget
As consultants it is our responsibility to ensure the projects we deliver are fit for purpose. We are faced with
the challenges imposed by market conditions, client demands and the job to produce the required
functionality. The following presentation will address these challenges, more specifically:
• Applying value engineering principles to deliver cost effective and fit for purpose infrastructure
• Conducting effective transport studies to facilitate effective planning and design
• Improving maintenance through standardisation of products and components
Javad Akhtar, Function Manager – Bridges, Hyder Consulting Middle East
13:10 Lunch and networking
Road safety master class
14:30 Road safety master class: Considerations for safer highways
Safety is a major concern across the Middle East for not only government but also for consultants and contractors
working on various bridge and highway projects.
In the following master class we will deal with different aspects of road safety, specifically related to driver behaviour
and safety in and around work zones.
The objective of this workshop is to provide a basis for discussion and development of best practice in safety for not
only road users but also for the people that build roads.
More specifically, we will focus on:
• Changing driver behaviour in and around work zones
• Training and onsite inspection
• Communicating with stakeholders and end users to create awareness
16:00 Wrap up and end of conference day one

19. 25 & 26 May 2015
Conrad Dubai, UAE
This is a draft agenda and is subject to change. This is a private document and is not for distribution or publishing.
Conference day two
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
08:00 Start of conference registration with welcome refreshments
08:45 Opening remarks from IQPC and introduction to Chair
08:50 Opening remarks from the conference Chair and start of conference
Prevention over cure – safeguarding the integrity of bridges and highways through
material development, design reviews and improved construction methods
09:00 Material analysis and the impact of materials selection on the quality and durability of bridges and
highways
The quality of what we construct is heavily reliant on the materials used during construction. The materials
that are used in construction can also have a significant influence on sustainable practices and development
of bridges and highways. The following presentation will cover:
• Analysing current material standards and their effect on bridge and highway durability
• Developments in materials that offer more robust and sustainable construction qualities
Prof. Rashid K. Abu Al-Rub, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Masdar Institute
09:30 Overview of bridgedeck waterproofing systems
• An overview of why we need bridge deck waterproofing
• A new Sika innovation to increase safety & reduce maintenance costs
• Sika case studies including the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge
Dirk Uebelhoer, Corporate System Engineer, Sika Services AG
10:00 Let’s talk maintenance: Discussing strategies to enhance the life of bridge and highway assets
Developing a maintenance regime should not be the starting point to good maintenance. Maintenance should
be considered right from the design phase and throughout the construction and delivery phase. The following
panel will discuss:
• Reviewing road and highway designs to reduce dependency on active maintenance
• Assessing materials used during construction that affect durability and integrity of bridges
• Standardisation of materials and components – is this possible?
• Ensuring bridge stock is kept in the right condition to support through life support
Dr. Walid Damaj, Road Structures Advisor, Al Ain Municipality
Javad Akhtar, Function Manager – Bridges, Hyder Consulting Middle East
Nidal Odeh, Project Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff
10:40 Networking
11:10 International case study: Reducing maintenance requirements through the design of ‘maintenance
free’ bridges
Although it is not plausible to design bridges completely free of maintenance, the practice of designing
maintenance free bridges can greatly assist in delivering structures with lower maintenance costs by
eradicating unnecessary components. The following presentation will cover:
• Consideration of deterioration and service disruption probability in bridge design
• Integral bridges – are there limits?
• Procurement – are we doing it right?
Raul Vibo, Design Manager – Infrastructure, Ramboll
11:40 Materials that support faster more durable infrastructure
• Solutions to support lateral and vertical movement
• Maximising bridge lifespan
• Considerations for high load environments and seismic movements
Presentation by Ocean Rubber Factory
12:10 Lunch and networking followed by transport planning workshop

20. 25 & 26 May 2015
Conrad Dubai, UAE
This is a draft agenda and is subject to change. This is a private document and is not for distribution or publishing.
Transport planning master class
Overview
Sustainability is a broad term and its definition is not always understood, especially in its application to transportation
and transport infrastructure. So, just what exactly does it mean to have sustainable transport modes and how do you
plan for this? The following master class will address the issues of sustainable transport planning through the delivery
of global perspectives, policy review and also seek to provide a definition of sustainable transportation.
The objective of this master class is to initiate discussion on how to best address transport planning in the UAE and to
ensure that sustainable practices are not only achieved but also sustained.
13:10 SESSION ONE: Defining sustainable transportation and its development
• Overview of sustainable transport planning
• What is the importance and how will this impact local government and engineering consultants
14:10 Refreshment break
14:30 SESSION TWO: Comparing models, policies and planning methods
• Assessment of existing infrastructure
• Policy reviews and comparisons
• Assessing global ‘best practice’
Your master class leader:
Dr. Praveen Maghelal
Associate Professor - Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Planning Department of Engineering Systems and
Management, Masdar Institute
Dr. Praveen Maghelal has an interdisciplinary educational and professional background in civil engineering,
architecture, and urban planning. He obtained his doctorate in Urban and Regional Sciences from the Texas A&M
University and has taught at the Florida Atlantic University and the University of North Texas before joining Masdar
Institute in 2015.
Dr. Maghelal’s research focuses on planning sustainable communities with sustainable modes of transportation. His
work investigates the role of the built environment on sustainable and active modes of transportation, the relationship
of land use and transportation on healthy communities, and the relationship of land use on sustainable modes of
transportation such as walking, biking, and public transportation.
He has published in top journals in planning such as the Journal of Planning Education and Research, Transportation
Research and his co-authored article won the Best Article Award from the Journal of American Planning Association.
15:30 Closing remarks from master class and end of day two