Client: Thales (Australia)
With the proposed installation of the Radome at Tagaytay Radar Control Tower by Thales on behalf of Civil Aviation Authority Philippines, a need was identified to strengthen the tower against Typhoon winds of over 320km/hr. FIMI was awarded the contract by Thales to strengthen the superstructure and substructure of the tower to accommodate the extra wind and service loads with the installation of the radome and strengthening. Work included the exposure of the existing substructure foundation for the footprint to be expanded whilst the superstructure saw the addition of new members and bracing.
Due to the sensitivity of the activity of the control tower, FIMI faced an extreme challenge in not disturbing the axis of the tower, which remained fully operational during the life of the project. To achieve this, FIMI with design assistance from Freyssinet Technical Department, applied its specialized engineering technique concept and rather than replace the bracing, the existing structure was added to, thus ensuring that the stability of the tower during the works was not disturbed. In order to monitor any possible, but unlikely movement, an inclinometer was installed on the tower.
The project was successfully completed without disturbance to the radar functionings, on time and within budget in August 2017.