Leading analysis and design software
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New Oncology Wing, St. James's University Hospital Leeds |
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Faber Maunsell : SuperSTRESS/FEM analysis and design |
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| Faber
Maunsell have been working with Integer’s SuperSTRESS and
FEM
analysis and design software to come up with the winning submission
for the St. James Hospital Leeds Oncology Wing for the Catalyst
Healthcare Private Finance Initiative consortium.
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The use
of Integer software was integral to achieving a cost effective structural solution
that is now demanded from the high-pressure healthcare PFI environment.
SuperSTRESS was selected
to analyse the raft foundation. The software provided the facility to model the
interaction between the reinforced concrete and variable ground conditions whilst
taking into account the iterative process required to balance the output between
the structural analysis and the more flexible nature of the ground conditions.
Palmer says, “it is easy to fall into a trap of producing complex design
models that over-analyse a structure when an iterative process is more appropriate”.
SuperSTRESS provided the right balance in this respect.
| Reinforcement Layout
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Large rafts can require a notoriously complex iterative design process due to the linear spring stiffness of the reinforced concrete elements and the non-linear behaviour of the ground. Faber Maunsell created the design model using SuperSTRESS to represent the raft using spring supports. The results were transferred to the geotechnical model and re-evaluated before being transferred back into the SuperSTRESS model for further analysis and re-evaluation. Following a number of iterations the models converged and a final design was achieved. The final result from SuperSTRESS provided the design moments and shear forces used for the reinforcement requirements.
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also used to analyse the building for stability and provided the lateral displacements
of the structural elements.
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Within the PFI environment there is constant pressure to achieve the most efficient design solution. A coordinated design solution is required, taking into account the structural elements, medical planning, specialist equipment and engineering services. This requires a constant review of design solutions to check developing needs in the Healthcare environment thus providing adaptability for the Client. The FEM software facilitates changes to slab geometry, loading and service penetrations, allowing the implications of change to be readily assessed. For example, the structural calculations were revised to take account of the need to accommodate a 15 tonne MRI scanner. The design solution considered the permanent location and temporary tracking route.
FEM Model
Integer have recently released version 5.2 of the very powerful FEM software. This latest release has a new tabbed layout which leads the engineer clearly through the modelling, loading, analysis and design phases of the job. With recent enhancements to speed up the analysis process engineers can reach a design solution even more quickly.
Copyright © Integer Software 2005
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