Refurbishment of existing 1960s concrete framed building to provide new departments for Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Earth Sciences and Incubator Suite.

The existing 6 storey concrete framed building comprising insitu concrete waffle slabs, was required to be altered to provide laboratories with high levels of ventilation. The volume of ductwork required exceeded the existing building’s riser capacity and we needed to create additional service risers. Investigations for removing segments of floor slab between the waffle ribs using finite element analysis determined that this was achievable without strengthening the concrete ribs. For the external extract ducting we extended the front facade and reclad the building to provide a floor slab extension and zone for the extract ducts. Cantilever brackets fixed back to the existing perimeter concrete mullions supported longitudinal duct runs, the new floor slab extension and the new facade.

At third floor level, new ventilation ductwork was required to pass through a transfer beam over the main lecture theatre. The void requirements would significantly reduce the load capacity of the transfer beam and we investigated methods for strengthening the beam. Due to the beam location it would be very difficult to install supporting steelwork through both logistics and heath & safety and we studied alternative technologies. We proposed using Carbon Fibre Plates (CFPs) bonded to the underside of the transfer beam which proved a lightweight solution and quick to install with minimal health and safety implications.

Additionally, a new entrance was created to address issues related to DDA and site levels. We designed a new canopy structure which was constructed on top of the existing podium deck. We calculated that strengthening was required to the podium deck and again we utilised C F Ps bonded to the underside of the deck beams.

Key to delivering this project was thorough research into the existing building structure through analysis of the historic information and validation through intrusive investigations to determine the structural capacity of the building and the level of alterations achievable.