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Concrete works completed at Qatar’s Al Thumama Stadium

Concrete work at Qatar’s Al Thumama Stadium has now been completed as venue construction continues to progress ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the country.

The stadium is scheduled to host matches up to and including the quarter-final stage during the World Cup and the team behind the project is currently installing steel and cables in preparation for the ‘big lift’ of the roof structure.

The stadium broke ground in 2017 and is due to have a capacity of 40,000, with the design of the venue having been inspired by the ‘gahfiya’ headpiece worn by men in Qatar and across the MENA region.

More than 50,000 cubic metres have been cast at the site, with some 2,285 tonnes of steel having been installed and around 38,400 square metres of masonry works carried out.

Stadium project manager Saoud Al Ansari said: “The roof columns and compression ring serve as an integral part for the roof’s structure. Successfully installing these items means we are a step closer to the big lift, which is considered the main event in stadium construction.

“The big lift requires the use of 80 hydraulic jacks and 10 hydraulic pumps installed around the compression ring to carefully lift an intricate 727-tonne cable net system into place. This laborious procedure is expected to take approximately seven to 14 days.”

The stadium has been designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Mohammed Jaidah. Following the 2022 World Cup, its capacity will be halved to 20,000, with the extra seats to be donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure.

There are plans for the stadium site to be developed to include other amenities such as a hotel and sports clinic. Main contractor works at Al Thumama Stadium are scheduled for completion by 2020.

Image: Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy