Middle East and Africa
Saraya, Amman, Jordan
The Saraya Headquarters development is located within the development precinct of Amman in Jordan. The 142m high office tower is one of the proposed high-rise towers located at the south-western corner of the precinct, which is otherwise currently surrounded by low-rise buildings. The development consisted of a primary tower, with an adjoining podium structure. An open 6 storey high canyon was also proposed through the podium underneath the tower.
The location of the tower within a development precinct as well as the unusual canyon form of the lower portion of the tower means that design is not suited to code prediction for the design wind loads. Wind tunnel testing was carried out for the current existing surrounding buildings, as well as with the effects of the proposed future development precinct. It was noted that the future case generated the worst case peak base moments for along the X-axis, while the Y-axis resulted in considerably lower loads than otherwise predicted by code estimates. This enabled the design of the structural system to be appropriate designed, resulting in a reduction in the otherwise over-design for the Y-axis peak base moments.
The façade cladding pressure study was also undertaken to accurately measure the wind induced pressures exerted on the façade of the overall development. This enabled the design loads on the narrow spacing between the podium and tower section, as well as within the canyon portion of the podium to be accurately accounted for.
Furthermore, a pedestrian wind environment study was carried out to determine the local winds conditions within and around the development site. This study provided treatment solutions, in conjunction with the client and architect, to ensure conditions for all areas were suitable for the intended uses by occupants and patrons at the site. This helped to ensure that the high level amenity proposed for the various outdoor areas was able to be achieved. Without this study being undertaken, a number of the outdoor spaces would present wind conditions which would not be suitable for the intended use, significantly affecting the overall projects success.
