solid as a rock

solid as a rock

Once complete, Palm Jumeirah would double the length of Dubai’s beachfront. While its 16 fronds would provide extensive private beaches for holiday makers and residents, they were also long and narrow. To provide maximum protection to the island, the 11 km protective breakwater was designed as a solid structure.

The solid breakwater design together with the narrow fronds meant the water did not circulate around the island effectively. The breakwater worked too well at trapping the sea water inside.

Moving the waters

During a series of tests, experts simulated the tidal flow of Palm Jumeirah through numerical and two-dimensional modelling. Several designs for the breakwater were considered and tested. The stability of armour layers and the amount of wave overtopping were considered in a series of tests simulating severe storm conditions.

Refreshment of water around Palm Jumeirah was also tested. Using a 3D modelling package, water refreshment times were computed and improvements in schemes suggested. Detailed water quality modelling assessments including primary production, transport, dispersion and decay of nutrients were carried out for confirmation and further optimisation of the schemes.

Together, these extensive tests resulted in the recommendation for two 150 m openings in the breakwater. The continuity of the main Crescent Road necessitated the construction of a bridge crossing over the channel on each side of the crescent.