Expert Witness Journal Issue 68 August 2026 - Flipbook - Page 26
Figure 1. The museum’s diagrid
The tender drawings for the façade stated that panel
sizes were to be:
Background
The façade was tendered on the basis of a
performance speci昀椀cation which stated:
“
Drawings and information in this Speci昀椀cation are
intended to show the general form and arrangement
of the cladding, and basic cladding systems, including
modules and envelopes of space allowed for cladding
that must be adhered to. The contractor shall complete
the engineering design of the cladding to comply with
this Speci昀椀cation and shall be responsible for the
design supply and installation of the cladding. The
visual aspects of this design must be maintained.”
This is a performance speci昀椀cation, accompanied by
drawings showing the design intent. The contractor
shall be responsible for the development of any
information beyond IFC to re昀氀ect any speci昀椀c design
or technical aspects required by the specialist façade
sub-contractor. The façade drawings issued as part
of the tender package re昀氀ect the detailed design,
and the speci昀椀cation outlines the required technical
performance of the building envelope.”
Preliminary subdivision of façade surface along
horizontal diagrid members.
2.
Secondary transversal subdivision to achieve
panel sizes within the maximum allowable
limits by main UAE suppliers of GFRP and close
to single curvature con昀椀guration.
3.
Manipulation of the panel geometry to minimise
the deviation from single curvature within an
acceptable tolerance for the manufacture of the
stainless steel cladding is undertaken. Panels
are single curved with limited areas of minimal
double curvature.”
Within its tender response the façade sub-contractor
stated:
“
The GFRP system was described as having a “stainless
steel cladding or skin bonded…”
The Panels of Main façade are proposed to be 9 Mtr.
x 2.20 Mtr. in size with double curvature to achieve
the required outer surface.”
As part of its tender return, the façade sub-contractor
produced a mock-up to show that production of
its preferred panel size was feasible. The mock-up
indicated that the stainless steel sheets were to be
mechanically 昀椀xed to the GFRP panels using rivets,
Horizontal and vertical joints were stated to be “as
indicated on the contract drawings.”
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
1.
The panelisation process was described as:
With regard to design responsibility the speci昀椀cation
stated:
“
“
2.5m x 4.5m or 9m x 3m, vertical span 4.5m or 9m
typ (to preferred contractor module)…”
24
AUGUST 2026
