Dubai, March 7th, 2012. The American University in Dubai (AUD) conducted a one-day course on the key fundamentals for the design and construction planning of tall and supertall buildings. The course was organized by AUD's Infrastructure and Sustainability Center (ISAC) and delivered by Mr. Ahmad Abdelrazaq, Executive Vice President and Head of High-rise & Complex Building Division at Samsung C & T Corporations. Mr. Abdelrazaq has extensive experience in the design of buildings ranging from complex low-rise to ultra-high-rise buildings, and long span structures. Some of the award-winning projects during his tenure at SOM included the Burj Khalifa, JinMao tower, Tower Palace III, LG Kangnam Tower and Millennium Park, Chicago and Hotel De Arts in Barcelona, Spain.

The objective of the one-day course was to present the key aspects involved in the design and construction planning of tall and supertall buildings. Some case studies from JinMao to Burj Khalifa and beyond were discussed. Topics covered in the course included the latest development and technological advances in construction materials and damping mechanisms for earthquake resistance. A brief history on tall building systems and future trends with due consideration to new technologies that could result in new typologies in tall buildings were highlighted. The course also looked into key considerations in construction planning, especially for tall and complex buildings including gravity load management, wind engineering management, seismic engineering management, robustness/redundancy considerations, column shortening, foundation design, vibration control strategies for human perception to motion, and sustainability considerations.

Mr. Yaseen Reddipalli, Senior Structural Engineer from KEO International Consultants, who attended the one day course, comments: "The lecture gave an excellent opportunity for me to know about the design and construction aspects of the Tall buildings especially Burj Khalifa. I am very happy to attend and look forward to attend any relevant future courses."

The course was attended by practicing engineers involved in the design and construction planning of tall buildings. Students in Civil Engineering from AUD as well as American University of Sharjah (AUS) attended the course free of cost. AUD's ISAC has been organizing, on a regular basis, similar workshops and short courses for professionals across GCC.

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   

AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Science, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The university's undergraduate concentrations in Marketing Communications and Advertising (Creative) have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.

For any queries, please contact:
Ms. Rim Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 139
E. ribrahim@aud.edu

© Press Release 2012