Structures

The works included the introduction of additional retail shops, the extension of retail units on the south side of the lawn, a new platform lift to the loading bay area and pedestrian access stairs from concourse to mezzanine level. The new and extended retail units were formed using 6.0 metre high frameless structural glazing. VEDA undertook a full structural assessment of the existing Paddington Lawn Slab, using 3D finite element analysis, to ensure the additional loadings from the new structural glazing did not over stress the existing underlying tensile reinforcement.

As part of the remodelling works, the new 6.0m high structural glazing was to be fixed to existing two storey precast concrete sway frame, which formed the mezzanine and first floor structure. After carrying out extensive research, we were able to locate the original designer and determine that the sway frame, was actually a reinforced concrete and steel hybrid frame, designed during the 1990’s. Due to the requirement for large moment connections at the joints and the complexity of connections with limited cross sections of the members, a bolted and welded steel solution was the preferred option. This allowed increased capacity together with far simpler details at the connections. VEDA undertook a full structural assessment of the sway frame, using 3D finite element analysis, to assess the existing vertical and thermal forces, together with the additional lateral forces did not overstress the existing connections.