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In scarcely four years the world exhibition "Expo 2020 Dubai" will open in the United Arab Emirates. Preparations are already underway for the event, which is sure to attract many interested visitors. The exhibition in Dubai will target the building industry and particularly infrastructure, offices and housing, says Abdel Rahman Jaber, and many projects are expected to start in the next few years.

Abdel mentions several large housing projects, for example Nashma Town Square in Dubai where thousands of different types of apartment blocks are being built. In the neighbouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi, several residential areas are under construction. Some of the projects are run by private companies, while others are linked to government programs. Thus a whole raft of interesting projects will be getting underway in the Emirates as a result of the world exhibition.

WHY CONCRETE?
In recent decades concrete has been the most used building material in Dubai. This is not so surprising when you consider the natural availability of sand, which is the basis of concrete construction. This is because of its characteristics of high durability, and resistance to weathering and fire, contends Abdel. Concrete is more economical than other materials in these circumstances.

Abdel routinely designs precast concrete elements in IMPACT by StruSoft and has done so for more than five years. There were two important reasons why he began using the program. "I worked in one of the largest prefabrication companies in the Middle East. The projects were complex and we had very tight time constraints. With these requirements IMPACT was the perfect solution."

Abdel and his team were able to satisfy the clients' requirements using the software. Today Abdel has his own company called Innovative Concrete Solutions and he assists his clients with the design of prefabricated concrete elements using StruSoft IMPACT. "I have designed precast elements for many different types of building, amongst others for industrial and commercial businesses, hospitals, schools and universities, he explains, "Many of the buildings with decorative elements."

THE ADVANTAGES OF 3D
Abdel has extensive experience of working with StruSoft IMPACT and with 3D models. What are the advantages over paper drawings? "The project can be visualised with the model which makes it clearer. Fewer revisions are required and errors are reduced. It then becomes evident which way the elements fit together."

This is vital for Abdel when designing the elements. "The program simplifies things because of how it visualises the way elements attach to one another. Complicated elements in 2D are easier to handle by modelling in 3D with IMPACT." The model is not only useful for the design itself. It can also be used in discussions with the client. "The client can easily see his building in 3D and make comments and suggestions for possible solutions at an early stage."

When the element is ready for production the model takes on a new function. The data required for different manufacturing documents can be exported from a rich source of information. "The program quickly generates the documents needed to meet the project requirements. The information in the model is the basis for producing the shop drawings and is a tool for planning the production."

Abdel uses the program not only in the development of prefabricated elements, but also when the manufacturing and production processes are planned, in order to make them as efficient as possible. This is of course appropriate now that many buildings are being planned for the coming world exhibition.

The exhibition's theme, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" definitely relates to modern technology. To unite people and to create the future is what building is all about. And it all begins with concrete elements that are designed with a computer.
For more information visit StruSoft at www.strusoft.com/impact or call +44 2077 248 302