How do they prepare sand dunes to build roads, houses, and other projects on top of?

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Given that the sand of sand dunes are much finer and smoother than beach sand, how does Dubai/the UAE have so many things that seem to be built on them?

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It’s just impressive, given that whenever I try to stand on top of one, I sink and slide to the bottom and find it hard to balance. I can’t imagine what building on one is like, and I can’t find any videos or information on it—either beaches or flat desert, but not on sand dunes!

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Basically, I’m curious about the challenge and process for building on sand dunes, and would appreciate an explanation.

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Thanks in advance!

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9 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Millions of dollars in foundation materials

The burj khalifa used multiple, thick concrete pillars going 50+ metres down into the dunes, with a solid 15m thick slab of thick concrete to act as a foundation.

The weight of all the sand around the pillars keeps them straight, while the final slab is thick enough to support things

This wasn’t your papi’s house by a long shot, it was really a case of “I’m gonna build this here, and if mother nature wants me to fail, she can suck my magnum dong”. Not practical, but the only real option.

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