RIC MAKES AN IMPACT ON QATAR

DREDGING, LAND RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF BREAKWATER FOR RAS LAFFAN PORT EXPANSION PROJECT [RLPEP]

This joint venture work being carried out by Jan De Nul Dredging Ltd and Boskalis Westminster Middle East Ltd was to undertake  work to be performed under contract at Ras Laffan Industrial City [RLC] located some 80km north of Doha, state of Qatar.

Ras Laffan Industrial City is planned to expand rapidly over the forthcoming years with the construction and commissioning of various industrial facilities to enhance the value of the hydrocarbon reserves.  These industries will require a means of exporting their hydrocarbon products for RCL via sea going vessels.

This project represents the first stage in a major Port Expansion.  The Scope of Work to be performed under the EPIC of Dredging, Land Reclamation and Construction of Breakwater for Ras Laffan Port Expansion Project [RLPEP] covers the large civil marine work related to the engineering, procurement, installation and construction [EPIC] for dredging, reclamation and breakwaters, that has to completed within a tight timeframe, at a location where operational and development activities are becoming increasingly complex.

A master plan has been prepared for Ras Laffan Industrial City showing the facilities needed for expansion of the Ras Laffan Port to accommodate the projected volume of traffic up to the year 2024.  A substantial increase is expected in the volume of LNG and liquid products exports.  Associated with this will be the requirement for the export and / or import of dry cargo, containers, general cargo, sulphur and various forms of construction cargoes.  A new dry dock for ship repair, harbour support and other maritime facilities will also need to be constructed.

The value of the contract is US$ 2.0 billion and the duration of the contract is 3 years, completion date is 30th October 2008.

Just to give some idea of the work involved the dredging quantities to be undertaken are as follows.

Reclamation by cutter - 21 million cubic metres

Reclamation by Hopper [Compaction required] - 26 million cubic metres

The reasons why the BSP RIC Compactor [2 x RIC 9000 and 3 X RIC 12000] was selected, there is approximately 2.7 million square metres to be compacted in a short duration and a method of compaction was required that could compact the area quickly.

Cost of purchasing compactors and the operating of the units being undertaken by the client was lower than sub contracting the work.

Easily transportable over the large areas that the contract covered.

The machine is accurately controlled from the excavator cab and the degree of compaction electronically monitored.

The impact foot is in contact with the ground at all times and eliminates the risk of flying debris, other activities can take place in close proximity.

Using the RIC 9000 and the RIC 12000 the required relative density of 60% was achieved.

RIC 9000 size mounted onto CAT 345C excavators

RIC 12000 mounted onto CAT 365C excavators

The energy is delivered at a fast blow rate.

The RIC can be used in difficult locations and for a variety of applications.

Surface Consolidation - Final treatment of upper strata following DC of the upper layers.
Foundations Support - Increase bearing capacity and reduce settlement.
Floor Slab Support - Stiffen soils and create uniform bearing conditions.
Liquefaction Mitigation - Increase shear wave volume and improve properties of loose fills.
Waste Stabilization - Reduce waste volume and improve properties of loose fills.

RIC has been successfully used to consolidate gravel, sands, silts miscellaneous sand/silt/clay and industrial and mining waste fills.  The ability to dump and compact sand or stone to depths up to and greater then 6m simplifies practises.  RIC is less expensive than over-excavation and replacement techniques.

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