The Statue of Unity, portraying India’s revered leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands as an iconic testament near the Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat. Rising 182 meters tall, it surpasses the Spring Temple Buddha in China. Let’s delve into the structural intricacies and the fascinating construction journey of this colossal masterpiece.
Nestled on a sturdy rock along the Narmada River, 90 kilometers south of Vadodara, the Statue of Unity holds its ground. Positioned strategically, it’s a mere 3 kilometers downstream of the Sardar Sarovar dam.
The project site is a canvas painted with Deccan basalt flows, layered with sedimentary rocks like quartzite sandstone and limestone. NE-SW aligned basic dykes add character. Seismic zone III sets the stage for the potential dance of earthquakes, with the nearest fault 22 km away.
Island accessibility weaves a tale of monsoons and strategies. The rise and fall of water levels become chapters, navigated by a rock bridge and a resilient Bailey bridge, keeping the island accessible year-round.
In the heart of Gujarat’s expanse, logistics became the hero. Over 21,0000 m3 of concrete, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement, 6500 tonnes of structural steel, and 1800 tonnes of bronze were woven into the Statue’s tapestry. Tata Steel and SAIL supplied the structural steel, while the ‘Loha’ campaign added a touch of community involvement.
The hillock’s fractures led the dance of the foundation, embracing grout injections and rock anchors. With an average rock bearing strength of 2300 KN/m2, a self-compacting M60 grade concrete mat foundation emerged, protected by polythene and sand from the elements.
Concrete’s lifespan was designed to dance gracefully for a century. Shielded by bronze and far from chlorides, carbonation-induced rust was precluded by low water-cement ratios and high compressive strength, securing a graceful aging process.
From Schwing Stetter batching plants to 440m pipelines, the ballet of concrete production and pumping unfolded. Ten transit mixer trucks, ice-making systems, and concrete pumps painted the picture of a synchronized construction rhythm.
From shallow foundations to composite deck slabs, the statue’s base tells a story from +45m to +83m, marrying concrete and steel in a harmonious union.
Elliptical core walls, reaching 154m, dance with grace, connected by coupling walls. Constructed with self-compacting M65 grade concrete, the structural ballet embodies strength and elegance.
The Statue’s creation followed a choreography reminiscent of composite columns. Grout injections, leveling, and continuous concrete casting formed the overture. Structural steel embraced the cores, and the bronze-cladded panels elegantly adorned the truss frame.
In conclusion, the Statue of Unity, beyond being an architectural marvel, narrates a saga of engineering finesse and cultural significance. It stands tall, not just in stature, but in the intricate dance of materials, structures, and human determination that brought it to life.