Multistory Building In Mina Jamarat

The last accident took place in Mina, near Mecca, on Zulhijjah 10 1424 H or Sunday February 2 2004, still  in the mind of Muslim the world over who lost their love ones. It come to light that existing Jamarat, a place where pilgrims (hujjaj) carry out rites casting pebbles at three pillars called: Ula, Wustha, and ‘Aqabah, can no longer cope with the rising number of Muslims coming from around the world willing to perform Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

What concern many Muslim are the congregation on Tasric Days in Mina, where multitude of pilgrims pour down from the mount Arafat after a Wuquf (a stay from noon till dusk on mount Arafat ), to execute the rite of casting pebbles on three pillars.

To get rid repeat of accident, it is mandatory to bring down density of pilgrims on the venue with the inroduction of simultaneous casting of pebbles from different heights. It is also about the make over Mina Jamarat from an “open-air affair” to “ event inside a multistory building”, so access to sites, known as: Ula, Wustha, and ‘Aqabah, may come from various elevation inside the building, so accident on the venues will never be repeated.

A. Number of Ritual Sites

One aspect need to establish a building in Mina right on location where the Jamarat is, is to increase number of ritual sites as seen in Figure-I. Figure-Ia shows the new building side view without scale.

Figure-I

The building is to consist of five floors, including the ground floor. The sites where pillars are standing, called: Ula (A), Wustha (B), and ‘Aqabah (C), are seen in the bird's-eye view. There are sumps underneath of each pillar to collect pebbles thrown gathered by earth’s gravity. By converting Mina Jamarat from open air  affair into inside a multistory building, number of site will be multiplied by three as number of floor grows. The ceiling height of each Mina Jamarat may be taken the same. Figure-Ib shows the bird’s-eye view of the Mina Jamarat building. An ellipse was chosen to allow pilgrims get plenty room to wander around on each floor, and the three pillars are also clearly shown.

Figure-II shows a typical Pebble Throw Site, abbreviated PTS, established on every floor of Jamarat building, where pilgrims cast pebbles pillar at the center. The pillar represents the Ula, Wustha, and ‘Aqabah sites on every floor at which pilgrims carry out the ritual with small stones. Side view of the pillar is seen in Figure-IIa, while the bird's-eye view is shown in Figure-IIb. There are 3 (three) PTS to be cast in an open air Jamarat affair, but by converting Jamarat into a multistory building with five floors, the number of PTS rise into 15 (fifteen), due to floor magic multiplier effect.

Figure-II

To get pilgrims from ground floor to various elevation in Jamarat building, or the other way round, a special design elevators will be introduced, called: Jamarat Elevator, shorten JE. There are eight JEs proposed to carry pilgrims from ground floor up to each floor of Jamarat building, or the other way round.

Figure-Ib also shows shows bird-eye view of elevators along with the number: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Should each floor be served by two elevators, it follows: JE-1 and JE-5 are for the fifth floor, will ascend pilgrims from ground floor to fifth floor; or back to ground floor the other way round. JE-2 and JE-6 are for the fourth floor, will ascend pilgrims from ground floor to fourth floor; or back to ground floor the other way round. JE-3 and JE-7 are for the third floor, will ascend pilgrims from ground floor to third floor; or back to ground floor the other way round. JE-4 and JE-8 are for the second floor, will ascend pilgrims from ground floor to second floor; or back to ground floor the other way round.

All JEs are built permanently around the circumference of the Jamarat building, and equally spaced. Ground  floor is reserved for the old established custom of casting pebbles at the sites. With advent of JEs, pilgrims will effortlessly get to each floor in Jamarat building from the ground floor to carry out the religious rite; also effortlessly back to ground surface the other way round; because each JE is powered from utility driven by a brake induction motor.

With Mina Jamarat inside a building equipped with eight JEs from around the periphery, density of people in the venue on every floor may be closely monitored and controlled in real time on Tasric Days to avoid repeat of stampede.

Figure-III shows JE-1 serving the fifth floor, or the highest floor. As seen from the picture, it consists of two important components: the saucer (S) and the central column (K). The platform is in fact an elevator of high passenger carrying capacity built circular like a saucer, used to carry pilgrims standing from ground floor to the fifth floor inside the building; or back to the ground floor the other way round. Figure-IIIb is the bird’s-eye view of JE-1, where saucer and the central column are shown clearly. An EDP (Embarking Disembarking Port) will be available in each floor in the building, so pilgrims can easily get into the saucer with ease and trouble free, or leave it the other way round.

With elevator design like a saucer, pilgrims can get in or leave it the other way round radially; so stampede may be avoided. The propound measurement of JE-1 will be as follows: if the ceiling height of each floor is taken 10 m, then height of central column in fifth floor will be about: 4 x 10 = 40 m. If  central column’s height to diameter ratio is taken: 10 to 1, then the diameter of highest central column will approximately be: 40 : 10 = 4 m. If saucer diameter to column ratio is: 4.5 to 1, then the diameter of saucer will be: 4 x 4.5 = 18 m. Having such a diameter, a saucer like elevator will capable to carry 500 pilgrims one way up to each floor, or back to ground floor the other way round.

Figure-III

Figure-IV shows JE-1 being enlarged. The side view is in Figure-IVa where the saucer and its central column are shown clearly. The saucer will be equipped with multiple door made out of thick glass around the circumference of the saucer, to be close and open synchronously driven by a mechanical system, with an open ceiling. As the multiple door close, it will turn automatically into a fence to guard people from falling to ground. Under saucer floor, the octagonally rotating axle looks much like a straight line.

Same multiple door is also installed around the circumference of every EDP, face-to-face with saucer’s multiple door system, to prevent people falling to ground when saucer on its way up or down. Figure-IVb is the bird’s-eye view of a saucer with its central column. The saucer is designed to be able to climb up the central column, or climb it down the other way round.

There are eight Lifting Devices (LDs) installed around the periphery of every central column to move the saucer up, or move it down the other way round, driven by a brake induction motor. Every LD being backed by a simple technology: 1. Bolt-Nut with Bevel Gear, or 2. The Rack-Pinion with Bevel Gear and Worm Gear. All LDs will in unison move the saucer up, or move it in unison down the other way round, by way a mechanical drive system driven by a brake induction motor.

Mechanical power to move a saucer comes from an induction motor (M) right under the floor, is sent first to motor torque converter for speed adjustment, then to bevel gears at I (white dot), and into a polygonal revolving axles. These revolving axles are connected with each other by way of bevel gears at their ends (black dots). The polygonally mechanical drive systems is in fact an octagonally revolving axles: AB, BC, CD, DE, EF, FG, GH, HA, which is positioned horizontally. From centers of these axles (white dots) at points: P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, mechanical power will then be distributed to all LDs, each being fixed to a C-Channels, or U-Channels. The LD C-Channel pairs, or LD H-Channel pairs, are placed around the circumference of central column, which are equally spaced.

Saucer cannot sink by the action of gravity, i.e. weight of the saucer and pilgrims it carry, unless driven by its brake induction motor. The purpose implementation of revolving axle, is to mechanically synchronize the speed of all LDs involved, enable them in unison to climb the central column up, or to climb the central column down the other way round also in unison. Number of LDs required to take part around the central column may vary, and this much depend on design, dimension, and lifting force necesssary to move the saucer up or down. 

With the application stepper motor as individual drive of every LD,  the synchronization of all LDs to climb up a central column up, or to climb it down the other way round, may be effected  electronically as well as digitally.

Figure-IV

The saucer along with its EDPs may be constructed out of steel channels, steel pipes, steel plates, etc. So do the drive mechanism like axles, gears, etc. Lighter material may be used to reduce weight like: aluminum, and others. The saucer will equipped with multiple door around its periphery made of thick glass to be driven by mechanical system to open or close synchronously. A mechanical drive system is provided for the saucer to allow a brake induction motor moves it climbs up or climbs down a central column by use of eight LDs. The central column along with the saucer moves up or down may be built out of reinforced concrete. It could also be made from rolled steel or cast steel.

Electricity comes from utility by way power cable and enter the Jamarat main panel. Power will be distributed to every JE panel, then by way of a three phase insulated copper rails running along the inner central column be collected by carbon brushes, before it is transferred to saucer’s panel. In case of power failure, an emergency power supply will take over immediately.

With advent of solar panel and wind generator, energy harnessed from the sun and wind can be used to run JEs after being converted to electricity.

From the saucer’s panel electricity is distributed to a brake induction motor, emergency power charger, lighting, and electronic control system. All electric power system will be equipped with the necessary switching apparatus and circuit protection.

A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) will be used to interface operator with JE’s electromechanical drive system, along with electrical wiring, push buttons, control and monitoring device.

A monitoring system will be provided to help operator monitor event, control the speed of saucer ascend or descend based on gear ratio put to motor torque converter. Also a troubleshooting system is available for the smooth operation during service.

A qualified operator is required to run every JE. First, operator presses the OB (Open Button) while the saucer still on the ground floor, and the multiple door around the saucer's periphery and EDP will open immediately. He invites pilgrims to get in from all direction to save time and hinder stampede. As number of pilgrim approaches the proposed value, in this case 500, he presses CB (Close Button) and doors around the saucer and EDP will close. He then presses UB (Up Button), and saucer ascends along the central column at a minimum speed of 10 m/minute, or 0.6 km/hour. Saucer then hits the upper limit switch and the brake induction motor stops, and destination floor is reached. Operator presses OB (Open Button), doors  around the saucer and EDP are open, and pilgrims may leave the saucer.

At the destination floor, other group of pilgrims may have been waiting. As the saucer empty, operator pleases them to get in. As number of pilgrims reache saucer’s capacity, operator presses CB and doors around the saucer and EDP close. Operator presses DB (Down Button) and the saucer descends along the central column. The saucer moves down at almost same speed as it goes up. As the saucer hits lower limit switch, brake induction motor stops, and the ground floor is reached. Operator then presses OB, and all doors open, and people allowed to leave. The saucer is now empty, and it is ready to ascend again, and so on.

B. Environmental Concern

Other aspect of the proposal is to conserve environment around Musdalifah from becoming a quarry of natural pebbles. It is about to establish a Pebble Making Factory (PMF) nearby, so pilgrims collects only MP (Manufactured Pebbles) from dispensers prepared in strategic places in Musdalifah. Hopefully one day in the future, pilgrims cast only MP and refrain from exploiting NS (Natural Stone) to preserve the environment around. Already enjoin in the Holy Al-Quran 2: 11, a verse saying: “Make no mischief on the Earth”. Similar verses are repeated many times after.

It is time for Muslim scholar to define properties of MP such as: shape, volume, density, hardness, rebound factor, color, and imprint. From PMF built nearby, MP will be carried to Musdalifah, en route from mount Arafat to Mina, to be distributed into pebble dispensers, so wayfarers and vehicle riders can collect  necessary amount brought to Mina during midnight transit, for casting: Ula, Wustha, and ‘Aqabah. MP will be gathered by earth’s gravity in sumps underneath each site, and to be delivered back to Musdalifah again  fed into MP dispensers. In this way, MPs will run a close cycle, and the exploitation of NS from natural surrounding will decrease with time and someday ceased completely.

With advent MP, no worthless things, likes: worn out sandals, dilapidated materials, and the like, thrown by pilgrims into PTS; so the venues in Mina Jamarat will remain immaculate. Of course there are MPs lost in the cycle. Some may taken home by pilgrims brought to their countries as memento, or lost in transportation, or others. It is not illegal for pilgrims to have MP brought to their country on their way home. Lost MPs will be replenished by PMF. We hope the next generation of Muslim get better educated in this way to save the environment, if kinfolks can get convinced for sake of planet earth, even for things this small better cast  MP instead of NS collected from the surroundings”. We hope one day the message can get across, mischief on earth emerging from man activities since the outbreak of industrial revolution will end.

The innovation has already been filed at the Patent Office of the Republic of Indonesia, in Jakarta, under the title “Jembatan Pemuat Penumpang Horizontal (The Horizontal Passenger Loading Bridge), registration number P00200700203, dated May 7, 2007 and April 30, 20