The Reclamation Process
In the case of Palm Jumeirah, the first step in 2001 was to create part of the crescent-shaped breakwater to protect the reclamation work from rough seas. Sturdily constructed from rock, The Crescent is unlike the other parts of the island, which are built from sand. Its breakwater stands in 10.5 metres of sea at its deepest point and, now completed, rises to a height of 4 metres above 'chart datum' – the nautical term for sea level at low tide. The breakwater was designed to protect Palm Jumeirah against the worst sea conditions imaginable, including Shamal-induced waves, a ‘once-in-a-100-years’ storm and even the effects of global warming.
The Crescent has multiple layers. First is the 'berm' or 'bund', a small hill of sand, at its base. Covering the sand is a sheet of water-permeable man-made geo-textile that ensures it does not wash away. Above this is the first protective layer of 'small' rocks, with each rock weighing up to a tonne, followed by two further layers of ‘armour’ made up of rocks weighing as much as 6 tonnes.
On the inside of The Crescent lies a 'toe' created from rocks weighing between one and four tonnes that were lifted into place by a floating crane. The rocks were then pushed and shaped with underwater excavators under the vigilant eye of expert divers.
With The Crescent securely in place, 4,888,000 cubic metres of rock were positioned to create the land foundations of the inner island. Dredgers then began working around the clock to transfer an astonishing 92,234,000 cubic metres of sand to build up the landmass.
During the height of the project, 10 dredgers worked simultaneously, along with tug boats, barges and launches. More than 1,000 people were on site, and in the case of some dredger crews, many workers lived on board their ships for the duration of the 2 year project.
The Crescent has multiple layers. First is the 'berm' or 'bund', a small hill of sand, at its base. Covering the sand is a sheet of water-permeable man-made geo-textile that ensures it does not wash away. Above this is the first protective layer of 'small' rocks, with each rock weighing up to a tonne, followed by two further layers of ‘armour’ made up of rocks weighing as much as 6 tonnes.
On the inside of The Crescent lies a 'toe' created from rocks weighing between one and four tonnes that were lifted into place by a floating crane. The rocks were then pushed and shaped with underwater excavators under the vigilant eye of expert divers.
With The Crescent securely in place, 4,888,000 cubic metres of rock were positioned to create the land foundations of the inner island. Dredgers then began working around the clock to transfer an astonishing 92,234,000 cubic metres of sand to build up the landmass.
During the height of the project, 10 dredgers worked simultaneously, along with tug boats, barges and launches. More than 1,000 people were on site, and in the case of some dredger crews, many workers lived on board their ships for the duration of the 2 year project.
