Structural Designer
Arup
Client Name
Larsen & Toubro Construction Limited
Location
Kevadia, India
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR Larsen & Toubro Construction Limited
ARCHITECT Michael Graves Architecture & Design KEY CONTRACTORS Meinhardt - Concept Structural Designer and Client Representative
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
At 182m this is the world’s tallest statue. The statue is a naturalistic and historically accurate representation of Sardar Patel, a visionary leader during India’s past struggle for independence. A viewing gallery at 150m provides visitors a spectacular view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and surroundings. Structural engineering, facade and materials design skills was integrated into the design and build.
Judge's comment: This is an impressive sculpture by virtue of its scale and location. It put great demands on the engineers to conquer the challenges: defining the design loads, selecting the right materials for the right purposes, and handling the uncertainties of geology. This demanded a high level of research, expertise and innovative thinking. The “building” included two coupled concrete cores as a twin spine. The body is created with braced steel framing cantilevering from the concrete cores. This bodywork is divided into four sections between each of which there is a movement joint to allow for flexure without load transfer between sections. The external bronze skin was pre-fabricated off-site in large sections, allowing it to be completed in an impressive six months. The judges were impressed with the confident execution of a very challenging structural engineering project that provided a clear reminder of the way that engineers can deliver cultural icons of national significance.
Judge's comment:
This is an impressive sculpture by virtue of its scale and location. It put great demands on the engineers to conquer the challenges: defining the design loads, selecting the right materials for the right purposes, and handling the uncertainties of geology. This demanded a high level of research, expertise and innovative thinking.
The “building” included two coupled concrete cores as a twin spine. The body is created with braced steel framing cantilevering from the concrete cores. This bodywork is divided into four sections between each of which there is a movement joint to allow for flexure without load transfer between sections. The external bronze skin was pre-fabricated off-site in large sections, allowing it to be completed in an impressive six months.
The judges were impressed with the confident execution of a very challenging structural engineering project that provided a clear reminder of the way that engineers can deliver cultural icons of national significance.