The Giant Sculpture Project, Abu Dhabi

Project Overview

The Giant, also known as the Emerging Man, is a striking sculpture at the Yas Bay Waterfront Development in Abu Dhabi. The artwork consists of a massive head and two hands emerging from the water, with the head alone spanning an impressive 26 ft diameter. Given its exposure to the harsh marine environment, ensuring the sculpture’s long-term durability was a key design consideration.

To achieve this, engineers opted for Mateenbar60™ glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar as the primary reinforcement material.

Project Results

The sculpture was constructed in situ, with the reinforcement placed and then sprayed with shotcrete on-site. Unlike steel rebar, Mateenbar60™ fiberglass rebar does not require extensive concrete coverage for corrosion protection, reducing the need for additional materials while maintaining structural integrity.

• The use of Mateenbar60™ eliminated the risk of corrosion, ensuring that the sculpture remains structurally sound without requiring ongoing maintenance or repairs.
• With a 100-year design life, the reinforcement solution guarantees long-term resilience against Abu Dhabi’s harsh coastal conditions, including high salt content, humidity, and extreme temperatures.
• The lightweight nature of Mateenbar60™—weighing approximately six tons compared to the 20 tons of traditional steel reinforcement—resulted in significant transportation and handling efficiencies.
• The sculpture’s reinforcement was custom-manufactured, including pre-formed bends, ensuring precise fit and reducing on-site labor and construction time.
• The use of Mateenbar60™ aligns with sustainable construction practices, as it removes the need for concrete additives such as silica fume, reducing overall material consumption.