The overall structure design shall meet Monaco's requirements, particularly a maximum acceleration of aN = 3,0m/s2 applied to the substratum.
In compliance with these rules, we calculated a shear load of85,000tonnes at the base of the caissons and a tilting moment of 23 million tonnes. meter. It is clear that seismic loading is by far the most stringent criteria for the structural design.
STABILITY VERIFICATION
Seismic loading is by far worst case. The weight alone of the Tower provides a stability coefficient of 1,8 which can be improved by anchoring or increasing the weight of the caissons.
DURABILITY
Unless specific preventive measures are taken, reinforced concrete is subject to ageing in sea water.
The experience gained offshore with the giant concrete platforms will be very useful although the Island Tower shall be designed for at least 100 years against the usual offshore design life of 30 years.
Bureau Veritas(4)(France)has developed specifications, in line with the Dn V Norwegian standards, which guarantee a design life of 100 years for such application.
GEOTECHNICAL DATA
A survey performed for the Monaco Publics Works enables us to establish a profile locating the sands and scree layers above the parent cretaceous rock. The caisson concept will enable us to design a structure to reach the parent rock through the unconsolidated materials.
CONCLUSION
We are convinced that Monaco's future is to look toward the sea, now that its territorial waters have been recognised by France.
Our project is the recognition of this strong concept.
Over the last 700 years, under the Grimaldi's rule, we have seen Monaco prosper from the sea. At the end of the last century Prince Albert Ist, a great oceanographer, built the oceanographic museum, a temple to the sea. The building clings to the "Rocher" of Monaco, but already has its feet in the sea. Following this example, Prince Rainier III has won one seventh of Monaco territory over the sea.
Today, our project follows the same logic. It is a human and technical challenge that Monaco shall take on at the beginning of this third millennium.
