INTRODUCTION

Palm Islands are a group of man-made islands made up of only sand and rock. Palm

islands are the largest man-made islands in the world, with Palm Jumeirah being the first ever

to be constructed. It was found out that by the year 2016, the sources of oil will have run out,

therefore they need another practical source of income. The crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh

Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, envisions Dubai to be the number 1 luxury tourist

destination. He wants to triple the amount of tourists by putting a man-made island just in

front of the Dubai shoreline, adding 56 kilometers to Dubai’s coastline. With the capabilities of

resisting earthquakes, violent storms, erosion from the sea, the Palm Island is sure to be a

success once it is complete.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Use: Commercial and Residential Use

Status: Operational

Cost: $12 billion

Height: 3m above waves

Floor Area: 600 hectares

Weight: 94 mil cubic meters of sand and 5.5

mil cubic meters of rock worth

Project Teams

Architectural: Helman Hurley Charvat

Peacock/Architects, Inc.

Structural: Nakheel Properties

Management: Nakheel Properties

Construction: Nakheel Properties

Plumbing: Plumber Dubai

Utilities: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

(DEWA)

The Palm Island is consisting currently of Palm

Jumeirah. Constructions have started in Palm Jebel Ali,

while there are plans in constructing more, such as Palm

Deira, ‘The World’, ‘The Universe’ and Dubai Waterfront.

This world-renowned attraction is one of the few

attractions that can be seen from the space. Thanks to

its impeccable geometry that lend unique shape and

massive scale to the project.

Engineering aspects.

I. FOUNDATION & Stability

Feasibility of a Project in the middle of the Persian Gulf – Design of breakwater must

be 3m high above the waves.

The desert sand present in Dubai is too fine to be used – They dredged sand from

the Persian Gulf seabed which is a perfect fit for construction.

II. CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY & Materials

Positioning of the Island and its cruves – The privately owned Satellite IKONOS was

utilized to accurately pinpoint the placement of the sand in the reclamation.

If the team responsible for breakwater progresses too quickly, it cuts off access to

the team doing the reclamation, if the reclamation team progresses too quickly, it is

at risk of being washed out by the storms – Perfect balance between the progresses

of the two teams is applied.

III. FIRE/EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE

A technique called Rainbowing was used in the reclamation of land, but the sand

was only sprayed therefore uncompacted and vulnerable to Liquefaction caused by

earthquakes – A process called Vibro Compaction was done, vibrating the land

around a probe, adding more sand during the process.

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The original design causes water inside to be stagnant – Developers created two

openings connected by bridges, creating space for water to circulate.

Threats to Marine Life - Contrary to belief, not only does the construction of the

Palm Islands not affect the marine life below, the breakwater served as a shelter for

them and it attracts more species in the area.

The changes in the waves in the beaches of mainland Dubai causes sand to build up

in certain areas near the corner of the Palm Islands and erodes sand in opposite

area – They regularly dredge sand from where the sand builds up and drop it off

where the sand have been eroded.

REFERENCES/ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

Jennings, K. (Nov 23, 2015). The Real Story Behind Dubai’s Palm Islands. Retrieved from

http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-11-23/the-real-story-behind-dubai-palm-

islands

Megastructures xiveTV. (Aug 12, 2007). The Palm Island, Dubai UAE. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXGh0EYJtE

Powering Dubai’s “Wonder of the World” [PDF File]. Retrieved from http://www04.abb.com/global/

seitp/seitp202.nsf/0/7ddad02af6482d43c1257225000d226f/$file/Palm+Island_en.pdf

Engr. Ryan A. Ramirez

Group 4 – 4CEB “Palm Islands”