Glass and Steel Cone at Mahatma Mandir

STEEL CONE CLAD USING CURVED LAMINATED BACK PAINTED SAFETY GLASS

M/s. Marvel Glass Pvt Ltd. (sub-contracting the order from M/s. Shapoorji Pallonji Limited) completed the design and installation of a 9-meter diameter and 4.5-meter-high steel cone cladded with curved laminated back painted safety glass, on top of a 45 meter high structure that recalls a mound of salt, which is an enclosure to an international repute science museum at Mahatma Mandir site, Gandhinagar, thereby concluding the conical shape of the external enclosure.

Basic design form details on layout, steel specification, detailed structural calculation supported with STAAD analysis subject to storm wind and other external factors, air ventilation system, mounting and anchoring on 1-meter available flat surface on mound top while not conflicting with the existing polycarbonate roof with inbuilt exhaust fan to draw out the hot air inside the museum, glass specification, manufacturing of multi radius curved laminated safety back painted glass, along with structural glazing of glass on steel using structural sealants giving the final form a seamless look, design engineering towards fabrication of steel cone using stainless steel 316 in its full size at workshop, bringing it to site in 2 parts and then reassembling into single form, installation of glass bearing all load factors and accounting for all external weather conditions bearing the fact that there is zero access to these glasses from outside once installed on mound, design engineering to lifting of 6.5 tons total steel and glass cone weight from ground level up to 60 meters in height in assembled form using hydraulic boom crane of 350 ton capacity and 100 meter long shaft, anchoring of cone and the final fitting of louvers covers the outline of the job executed by M/s. MGPL well teamed with M/s. SPL with their support at site and provision of boom crane.

Taking care of the entire design, ergonomics, stability, aesthetics and execution of the job, Marvel completed the given project in less than 8 weeks, well before the targeted deadline of 31st Dec, 2016 prior to the forthcoming international event ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ 2017 hosted by the government of Gujarat,and inaugurated by the honorable prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

The given cone is a befitting conclusion to the marvelous architectural site of Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, like a ‘cherry on the cake’, standing as a landmark for the country in the field of Glass Engineering.