SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

ARCHITECT STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

Yusef Abdelki
Abdelke attended Damascus University, and
graduated in 1976. He graduated from the École
Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts; and from
Paris XIII with a PhD in Fine Arts.
Abdelke’s artworks can be found in museums,
including the British Museum, Institut du Monde
Arabe in Paris, the Amman Museum of Modern
Art, and the National Museum of Kuwait.
weight of the mosque.
One of the main materials that were used in the construction of this
mosque and the precast structure is low permeability and porosity
reinforced concrete to protect from not only high temperatures but also
the high salinity content in air.
Reinforced concrete is a combination of traditional cement concrete with
reinforcements (steel bar) to increase the durability due to the extreme
weather, as it is versatile and affordable.
The strength at the core of the foundation piles test bores went down first
through sand then mud then gypsum until at a depth of 27 meters solid
mudstone was found to support the piles meant to carry the enormous
Corrosion inhibitor is included in the concrete design to protect the steel

INTRODUCTION
Construction of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque began under the late HH
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who aimed to create a building that would
bring together the cultural, historical, and contemporary aspects of Islamic art
and architecture.
The mosque is the largest in the UAE and the eighth-biggest globally, occupying
an area equivalent to five football fields. This mosque is the largest in the nation
and can accommodate over 40,000 people for Friday and Ramadan prayers. It is
a masterpiece that blends multiple Islamic architectural styles. Sheikh Zayed
built the mosque to represent peace, tolerance, and history, while also
showcasing modern Islamic architecture and serving as a center for Islamic
study.
The concept aimed for a historical impact on the region and impressive
interiors, inspired by the significance of the moon in Islamic religion. The
mosque was designed based on the full moon and changes its appearance as the
lunar cycle progresses. It is illuminated with cold white light during the full
moon and gradually turns blue as the moon wanes.
in those piles we've introduced polypropylene fibers and this with the
increased in cover to protect the reinforcement
Along with many advantages, reinforced concrete also poses some
disadvantages, for example, If it is not reinforced enough, the concrete
can be weak and subject to failure, the structure itself is heavier than
others and it requires lots of site space and labor work which makes It
take time to attain its full strength.
Another very adamant material is marble that was quarried the val
vanastra alps in northern Italy that's used in the interior of the large
prayer hall as well as the front and two side entrance halls.
The use of marble in construction has several advantages beyond just
improving the appearance of the interior and exterior of the building
structure
1. it is used to protect walls and floors against sulfate and chemical attacks,
the white color of the marble used in the mosque is a poor conductor of
heat and provides a cooling effect.
2. It gives a clean look as it resists erosion and footprints and this saves time
and money, in mechanical design aspects
Some of the disadvantages of marble is that only skilled technicians and

OTHOGRAPHICS
workers can install as they must ensure that the marble is strongly stuck,
it can be easily scratched.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS COLOUMNS: In the development the main use was marble in various colors, creating
unprecedented artistic forums with the help of natural colors, and the development of
sophisticated techniques associated with columns crowned decoration.
The Domes: This mosque has 82 domes, with the largest located in the center of
the main hall, the domes are made of pure white marble cladding, the crowns, 1. External Columns: The arcades of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are 1096 coloumn
and the crescent- shaped finials decorated with gold glass mosaic. 2. Internal Columns: 96 columns stand in groups of four contribute to the structural support
for the three main domes. The columns in the main prayer hall are clad with white pure
marble inlaid with mother-of-pearl vines.
Domes from
prefabricated
concrete panels

Made of white marble panels,

Elongated windows
The inside of the domes inlaid with precious and semi-
for natural lighting
feature traditional precious stones such as lapis
Moroccan artwork made lazuli, red agate, amethyst,
from plaster and abalone shell and nacre, which
coloured in gold was inspired from a valued tree
There are fourteen green glass domes
throughout Arabia, the date
incorporated into the roof of the underground
palm.
male and female ablution facilities.

INSTULATION The Qibla: The wall is inscribed with the 99 qualities of Allah, each scrolled in
traditional Kufic calligraphy.
Marble cladding on the
reinforced column The golden capitals
(anodized aluminum colored
with golden color)
99 names of
god Black
marble lit by
fiber optics All the columns around the arcade was
hand-carved and inlaid by craftsmen on
site and used a special inlay technique
CHANDELIERS: The mosque features seven crystal chandeliers that are made of called “Pietra Dura” an Italian 16th
gilded stainless steel. The largest is 10 meters across, 15 meters tall and weighs centuryartcraft
12 tones.

Glass panels studded

CONCLUSION
All in all, the Architect wanted to represent the unity of the religion in
with Swarovski his design by using the finest materials from all around the world
crystals were then while keeping the luxurious aesthetic this building, every detail was
well thought to keep the harmony and to serve the main purpose of the
installed into the
building
chandeliers

REFRENSES