JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is committed to build world-class infrastructure facilities in the light of SR24.5 billion municipal budget for 2011 that includes construction of intercity roads and bridges including 30 bridge-related projects which were tendered in the quarter of this year. "The Kingdom is committed to and heavily investing in providing world-class infrastructure facilities to its residents. The massive infrastructure investment is generating vast interest from international players who are keen to tap into the plethora of opportunities in the Kingdom," Chris Corander, divisional director at IQPC, said Monday at the opening of the four-day "Bridges Saudi Arabia 2011" forum taking place at Crown Plaza, Jeddah. Seismic design considerations have long been a focus of the earthquake engineering community but equally important is applying such methodology to the standard design of all bridge structures. On the first day of the workshop, a presentation was made on the planned Obhur Bridge project making it as the “Jeddah iconic symbol” that “will be recognizable throughout the world as a symbol for a great land focused on Prayer and Peace”. Two concepts of the bridge types were presented. One of them envisioned the iconic bridge having a main span length of 365 meters and height of 75 meters. Under the first concept, the bridge would have eight travel lanes, taking into account the estimated volume of vehicle traveling north and south of Obhur Creek in the next 15 years to 37,700, with some 12,000 vehicles traveling the Iconic Bridge during peak time. The second concept is single pylon type-bridge with a height of 205 meters. The workshop will address the performance-based seismic design enables design criteria to be specified during the pre-design process and enables structures to be less vulnerable to conditions. The workshop will also provide an overview of standard seismic specifications for bridge construction and identify performance levels that should be met during the design process. Participants will learn a step by step process for the development of performance-based procedures that will reveal vulnerabilities, highlight methods for making improvements to current design and protect future projects from hazard exposure and ground motion. Learn to reinforce bridge structures, limit repair cost ratio, increase confidence level and surpass standard maintenance objectives. Top officials and world's leading players and experts from the construction sector have gathered on a single platform to share and discuss their expertise and the latest global trends and opportunities in bridge construction. Major contractors from around the world are showcasing technologies, equipment and techniques that can enhance work on such projects and provide new solutions to existing challenges.
