Maximum possible diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel

Master thesis (2009)

Authors

Contributors

A. Romeijn (mentor)
D.P. Snijders (mentor)
Department
Design and Construction (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2009 Luites, W.
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Published Date

25-02-2009

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Faculty

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Department

Design and Construction

Abstract

In December 2007 Royal Haskoning has won an international design competition organized by the Great Wheel Corporation in which they ask for a concept master plan for a unique hotel. The design of Royal Haskoning featured a 185m tall Ferris wheel in which the hotel was situated. The main difference between a classic Ferris wheel and the design of Royal Haskoning is that the design of Royal Haskoning hasn’t got spokes. More and more Ferris wheels are build all over the world as landmarks, up until the design of Royal Haskoning the focus was on building taller and taller, in Beijing a Ferris wheel of 208m is currently being realized. This raised the question why is the Great Dubai wheel only planned at 185m, and even more importantly: “What is the maximum possible diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel?” In this Master thesis the maximum possible diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel has been investigated. To be able to state the maximum diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel the Master thesis can be broken down in three parts. [1] Limitations of the current design; [2] Possible improvements to the design; [3] Maximum possible diameter of the improved design; In the first part the limitations of the current design have been analyzed. This made clear that the proposed design wasn’t feasible; the main problem was the lack of effectiveness of the used material. In the second part of the Master thesis some proposed solutions have been investigated, and in the third and final part of the Master thesis the improved design has been analyzed and the maximum diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel has been stated. Throughout the project parametric design has been used as a very useful tool. Because the intention of the project was to find the maximum possible diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel, the structural model had to be changed continuously. Via a spreadsheet the complete input-file for the structural analysis program was written, this made it possible to quickly change the model and to determine if the proposed solutions were actually effective or not, and also to easily derive the maximum diameter of the Great Dubai Wheel.