China Railway 18th Bureau Group Achieves Major Feat in Super-high Building Construction

GULF TIME

China Railway 18th Bureau Group has achieved a major feat in super-high building construction with the completion of the world’s tallest hotel building, Ciel Tower, standing at a height of 373.5 meters. This achievement highlights CR18BG’s commitment to “the Belt and Road” and makes it a new and amazing scenery in the Dubai skyline.
As part of Dubai’s bustling Marina district, the Ciel Tower spans on a plot size of 3,662 square meters with a construction area of approximately 102,000 square meters.  The hotel features a hyperbolic architectural appearance, with designs for a high-altitude triumphal arch and observation platform. Upon opening, it will offer 1,004 hotel rooms, a 306-meter-high outdoor infinity swimming pool, a 353-meter-high sky restaurant, and a 12 separate level of atrium sky garden, providing visitors with stunning views of Dubai’s iconic skyline, including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Harbor, and Palm Jumeirah.
Since its groundbreaking in May 2020, the project team has implemented a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system for the entire project’s lifecycle. This proactive approach enabled them to identify risk points and technical challenges at an earlier stage. Consequently, they successfully overcame over ten major construction challenges, including 10-meter-high “Y”-shaped giant columns, 15-meter large-span sky gardens, and the installation of 10 m/s high-speed observation elevators.
Thanks to a highly collaborative international management team, 12 Chinese staff members closely collaborated with foreign employees, which significantly boosted productivity. They prioritized safety, quality, and customer satisfaction and achieved several key milestones:
– In August 2020, the project poured 8,000 cubic meters of 7-meter-thick concrete in one continuous operation, completing the foundation structure.
– In July 2021, the project advanced to typical floor construction.
– In November 2021, the team set a record for the fastest speed in standard floor construction in Dubai with “one slab in three days,” achieving a milestone of “seven-floor slabs in one month.”
– In August 2022, the main structure topped out at 76 floors, reaching a height of 306.5 meters.
– In January 2023, all vertical structures were completed, reaching a height of 373.5 meters thus enhancing Dubai’s skyline.
-To date, the hotel’s interior and exterior decorations, as well as the installation of all mechanical and electrical systems, have been fully completed, meeting the operational standards and requirements for the hotel.
The project also incorporated Chinese concepts and technologies, such as using lightweight concrete prefabricated wall panels, high-strength self-compacting concrete, and other new materials. In addition, they implemented a wastewater treatment system to achieve water recycling, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability. Some Chinese equipment and products were used throughout the construction process, promoting and supporting Chinese manufacturing development and stimulating local employment and industries.
The team leveraged the expertise of the Super High Building Engineering Technology Research Institute to explore and summarize key technical points. This effort resulted in the achievement of 2 national utility model patents, the publication of 3 papers in Chinese core journals, one QC achievement from the China Construction Enterprise Association, and a 9 million free-man hours certificate, among other honors.
Up till now, CR18BG has built more than 70 projects within 20 years, including 13 super-high buildings over 100 meters, showcasing fast construction speed, top-notch project management, and a skilled management team, garnering clients and consultants’ continuous support.
The successful completion of the Ciel Tower serves as a significant symbol and glorious moment of a new milestone for Chinese enterprises in the global super-high-rise building sector and the cooperative relationship between China and the UAE. Additionally, it strongly and proactively contributes to the UAE’s “Vision 2030” initiative.