Arabtec wins Russian supertall tower contract

Burj Dubai builders Arabtec have signed the first contract for foundation testing work on Europe’s tallest skyscraper project.

The deal, worth US$13.6 million (AED50 million) will see the UAE construction group test five deep foundation barrettes, extending to 70m into the soft ground, to establish their build ability in the site subsoil and their bearing capacity to support the main 400m high tower at the Okhta Centre development in St. Petersburg. The contract was awarded by oil refiner Gazprom Neft

"The award of this first contract and the expected further test contracts, confirms the imminent intention of Gazprom-Neft to proceed with its plans to go ahead with the construction of the Okhta Centre Project subject to final tests and designs being agreed and approved," said a source at Arabtec.

Arabtec is expecting to sign the next contract by November for testing 10 piles with various diameters and lengths. This second contract will be similar to the barrettes testing contract and should be completed in 6 months.

The third contract to be awarded by the end of the year will be for testing of the diaphragm wall construction that will, envelope the site.

These series of tests are necessary to obtain the building permit from the planning authorities in Saint Petersburg before the final project permit is issued.

Arabtec is currently engaged in ‘long and intense negotiation’ for the main construction contract for the Okhta Centre.