SHEIKH JABER AL-AHMAD CAUSEWAY PROJECT IN KUWAIT. A CASE STUDY.-Paper

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The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway is a major infrastructure project linking Shuwaikh Port with Subiyah across Kuwait Bay. The approximately 37-kilometre causeway includes bridges, embankments, islands, an interchange and approach roads, supporting development of the planned Silk City. Its foundations comprise about 1,200 large-diameter drilled piles; Trevi is responsible for roughly 230 offshore piles, up to 3 metres in diameter and 84 metres deep.<br /><br />Ground conditions vary along the route. Investigations found loose to dense sands, soft to medium clay, gravel, cemented formations and layers of sandstone and flint. Offshore construction presents additional challenges: work sites can be 17 kilometres from shore, water depths exceed 50 metres, and crews must manage currents, waves, strong tides, wind and sandstorms.<br /><br />Offshore piles are built from a spud-and-anchor barge using temporary casings and polymer slurry to support borehole walls. The main stages are excavation, bore cleaning, reinforcement-cage installation, airlifting to remove sediment, concrete placement and pile-head treatment. Slurry properties—including viscosity, pH, density and sand content—are regularly tested. Koden, camera, integrity, sonic and other tests help verify pile geometry, cleanliness and quality.<br /><br />The paper describes the logistical demands of barge operations, heavy reinforcement cages, slurry management and concrete supply, as well as the importance of maintaining stability and verticality throughout construction. Despite material shortages and adverse weather, production reached approximately three completed piles per week, with ongoing efforts to improve output while maintaining quality.

Keywords

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway

Kuwait Bay

offshore piles

large-diameter drilled piles

Silk City

spud-and-anchor barge

polymer slurry

pile construction

ground conditions

drilled foundations