The KAFD monorail will provide public transportation in the new Riyadh business district.
Running 15 m above ground, this monorail will cover a distance of approximately 3.8 km, running in a single loop.
The supporting structure consists of a straddle beam following the bend radius, of constant width (0.69 m) and variable height (2.2-4 m). This beam is made of precast, prestressed concrete, resting on piers set at intervals of 23-29 m for the main section and up to 51 m along Thummamah Road.
The Project
Challenges
Client
SAUDI OGER
Period
2011 – 2016
Key figures
3.8 km main loop – 6 stations – 3,000 passengers/h – 25 km/h average speed
Challenge
A metal box structure with exceptional dimensions and load requirements was designed to U.S. standards (AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications). With its complex 3D geometry and sleep loop resting on piers (0.69-4 m high), this monorail is a unique feat of engineering.
The Assignment
OGER International (the French representative of Saudi Oger LTD) commissioned setec tpi/als to manage preliminary and detailed design for the metallic straddle beam of the long sections:
- Section #1: 27 – 47 – 37 – 31 m
- Section #14: 29 – 48 – 29 m
- Section #23: 23 – 48 – 28 m
- Section #29: 28 – 51 – 37 m