A span of uncommon strength
One of the largest and most prestigious transport infrastructure endeavors in Kuwait and the region, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah causeway stretches like a shimmering ribbon across Kuwait Bay – and in the process, dramatically improves access to the country’s northern regions.Reducing drive time between Kuwait City and the Subiyah area from 70 minutes to less than 20 minutes, the causeway provides new strategic highway routes to facilitate planned development north of Kuwait City. Integrating the northern regions of the country with the densely populated central and southern regions, the causeway is also expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.
High strength and long-lasting
The 36-kilometer causeway is being constructed on piles bored into the seabed. More than one million cubic meters of high-grade concrete will be used for the project. The 36-kilometer main causeway will comprise 1,200 foundation piles, 613 steel stacks, 1,200 pillars, and 1,211 pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete beams.
The signature cable-stayed bridge with an exquisite arch pylon faces unique challenges in a marine environment adjacent to heavily populated areas. Salt water and carbon dioxide emissions pose significant threats. Outokumpu Forta duplex stainless steel rebar injects the project with high strength, exceptional corrosion resistance and reduced lifecycle costs.
Reinforced concrete combines low cost, versatility and high strength. However, over time the process of carbonation means that concrete loses the high alkalinity that protects carbon steel from corrosion. Stainless steel does not rely on concrete for its corrosion protection and is a straightforward solution when concrete is subject to the ingress of chlorides from marine environments.
Quality-critical long products
Through a contract with Hyundai Engineering & Construction of South Korea, Outokumpu Long Products will provide 1,600 metric tonnes of duplex stainless steel rebar for the project in grade Forta DX 2304 from the Bar Mill in Sheffield, U.K. Deliveries started early in 2016 and will continue through 2017. The causeway is expected to be in service in late 2018.