Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt: Foundation and Structural Design

The city of Alexandria founded by Alexander the Great and capital of Egypt for over 1000 years was the home of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and for several centuries was the cultural centre of the Western world. The Bibliotheca was built by the heirs of Alexander the Great about 2000 years ago but was burned to the ground. With the aim of reviving the world's most famous ancient library and to preserve 8 million books, the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina has been constructed in Alexandria, Egypt. The design concept, the critical ground conditions and the aggressive saline environment, due to the proximity to the sea, required remarkable foundation and structural works. Some advanced technologies, particularly for the bored piling, the diaphragm walls and the roof construction were adopted under a strict quality control system. Due to special static requirements, the horizontal continuity of the reinforcing steel between the concrete panels of the diaphragm wall had to be ensured.