Dubai sets world record for non-stop concrete pour

David Gangell; Ayman Bustami; Nawas. K.P; Nizar. T.N. Niranjan Amar Mandhian; Suprabhas Balabhadran; Vinod Gopinathan Pillai and Sreekanth Ramachandran with the Guinness World Record certification

The Geepas Tower, the Dh600 million residential project under way in Arjan, Al Barsha, has achieved a world record for the largest continuous concrete pour.
The project, developed by Western International Group, won a Guinness World Record title by recording over 19,793 cubic metres of concrete pour for 42 hours non-stop, the largest undertaken in the world. More than 600 skilled workers in multiple shifts were involved in the record-breaking feat.
Gulf Asia Contracting, part of the RP Group, has undertaken the project with a built-up area of 1.5 million sq ft and featuring 684 residential units. Chawla Architectural and Consulting Engineers is the project consultant.
The concrete was delivered by Unibeton Ready Mix of Al Fara'a Group, which engaged more than 300 transit mixers making more than 2,500 trips from three plants to deliver the concrete required for the project. The concrete pouring was carried out by massive installations of 14 concrete pumps on site with an additional five pumps on stand-by. More than 3,000 tonnes of steel has been used and 150,000 man hours have been put into constructing the raft of the building.
K.P. Basheer, chairman of Western International Group, and owner of Geepas Tower, said his group is delivering a high-quality residential development that will add to the quality of life of residents.
"I would like to congratulate the entire team that has toiled day and night for this project to make it possible." Dr Ravi Pillai, chairman of RP Group, parent company of GAC, said the impressive feat by GAC highlighted its proven strength in undertaking complex projects, which demand seamless operational efficiency and top-notch construction expertise.
"We are thankful to Western International Group for awarding us the contract and by setting the record for the largest continuous concrete pour in the world, we are highlighting our commitment to deliver the contract as per schedule. We also thank all our partners who associated with us on the project and our professional team members, whose dedication and experience made this possible."
Nizar T.N, executive director, Western International Group, said the group has acquired more than 18 plots in the UAE and looks forward to undertake bigger challenges. "The Geepas Tower Project world record achievement and the support of the UAE government have given us the confidence and strength to develop and deliver bigger planned projects as fast as possible."
Vinod Gopinathan Pillai, group general manager - RP Group of Companies, said the successful completion of this mammoth concreting in record time in compliance with all local regulations and specifications reaffirms "our competence and capability in executing projects of any magnitude".
Sreekanth Ramachandran, manager - projects at GAC, said by accomplishing highest standards of health, safety and environment best practices, GAC has proved its expertise in undertaking large-scale projects that call for meticulous planning and seamless on-ground execution strategies'.
The Geepas Tower, featuring two levels of basement parking, a ground floor with a welcome lobby, 40,000 sqft of retail space, and 19 floors of residences, is scheduled for completion in March 2018.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com