RECENT ASSIGNMENT

Introduction
Structural Concrete 2016 sets a demanding challenge for all students studying structural design as part of UK University BEng, MEng and MSc degree courses in Civil and/or Structural Engineering.
This demanding student design competition aims to encourage interest and raise competence in designing with concrete. The competition offers a stimulating and fun challenge to students, while supporting the curricula of civil and structural engineering departments of UK universities. The main benefit for a student is in being able to present their work to prospective employers, some of whom are involved in setting and judging the competition. The national winners will be presented with their prizes at an event in London where their award winning entries will be shown. There will also be a sustainability award for the student who demonstrates the best understanding of this subject in their submission.
These awards reflect a significant commitment from the judges who, together with The Concrete Centre, have carefully developed this year’s competition. Initiative, creativity, aesthetic appreciation and accuracy are called for, and will be assessed by the judges. Above all, this competition has been designed to stretch the technical competence of the students taking part.
Because it is so flexible, Structural Concrete 2016 can easily be incorporated into existing university curricula, with content that reflects an independent project, a group project or a module assessment run over the first, second or both semesters of the academic year.
This year’s challenge…
The 2016 project is a rooftop swimming pool over a car park forming part of a residential development in a city in the south of England.
The structure is to provide parking accommodation for the linked residential apartment blocks and a recreation space for the occupants. The client, a company engaged in regeneration of inner city sites, has commissioned an initial structural design from a firm of consulting engineers. Entrants must respond as if they are part of the consultant’s team.

1. Project brief:
‘Ashton‘ Development
The ‘Ashton’ development is to be constructed on a brownfield site on the periphery of a southern British city. The brief requires off-street parking and the incorporation of leisure and recreation facilities for residents.

Site density and economic factors determine that parking be provided in a multi-storey car park with leisure and recreation facilities above. The project developer has commissioned an initial structural design from a firm of consulting engineers.
The car park/pool building is to be rectangular in plan, with residential blocks adjoining on east and west sides (Figure 1). The car park/pool building and the adjoining residential blocks are to be structurally independent. No columns may be placed within 3.0m of the boundary between car park and residential blocks, nor may any foundations extend beyond the site boundary. Access to the pool area for leisure users will be via a pedestrian link to the residential blocks at roof level. Roof level is to be at 15.0m to tie in with residential floor levels (Figure 2). The lift/stair core will provide car park access and service access to the roof area.
The main swimming pool is to be 25.0m long by 14.0m wide, (Figure 3), with a water depth varying from 0.9m to 2.0m (Figure 4). A smaller paddling pool of 7.0m by 12.0m with a water depth of 0.6m will be separated from the main pool by a 2.0m wide walkway. Pool design features a clearance of 0.2m between water level and pool rim. The pools are to be designed as water retaining structures with a normal operating water temperature of 28°C. The designer may decide where to locate the pool in the north-south direction. The roof level is to be surrounded by a 3.0m high parapet.
Access to car parking is from the main access road to the south of the development at ground level. A service road borders the building to the north. Each parking bay is to a minimum clear width of 2.4m and a length of 4.8m. In addition, 6 disabled bays 3.2m wide are to be provided at ground floor level. Vehicle aisles and ramps are to have a minimum width of 6.0m for two-way flow and the ramp gradient must not exceed 1 in 7. A minimum clear floor-to-ceiling height of 2.1m is required. No structures or services are permitted to intrude into vehicle zones. The layout adopted should maximize the number of parking spaces available.
Precast concrete cladding panels and parapet walls will be used on north and south elevations. It is expected that these will have both an aesthetic and protective role.
2. Design data
Verification of structural viability should be carried out in accordance with current Eurocodes. Entrants should clearly state the documents used in support of calculations. Materials specifications should be defined to current British
Standards. Fire resistance of one hour is required.
2.1 Loadings
Dead loads of structural elements: as found.
Cladding: an average value of 2.4kN/m2 of elevation for the precast concrete cladding and parapet on the northern and southern elevations of the building
Imposed loadings:
Pool surround 2.5kN/m2
Car park and ramps 2.5kN/m2
Stairs 5.0 kN/m2
These loadings include an allowance for services. All values are characteristic values.
2.2 The site
Exposure conditions
The site is flat, and situated on the periphery of the city.
The value of fundamental basic wind velocity, Vb,map, should be taken as 23 m/sec (based on BS EN 1991-1-4:2005). Snow loading may be neglected .
Ground conditions
See borehole logs in the Appendix. Locations of test boreholes are shown on Figure 1.
Ground water level should be taken as 1.0m below ground level.

3. Submission requirements

The submission is to comprise four components:
i A conceptual design report.
ii Appendix 1 containing design calculations for the selected scheme superstructure.
iii A ppendix 2 containing the drawings of the selected scheme superstructure. iv Appendix 3 containing a sustainability appraisal.
The submission must not exceed 60 single sided A4 pages and three A3 size drawings. Only one copy is needed.
3.1 Conceptual design report
A maximum of 30 pages, of either 1.5 line spaced text in a maximum 11pt font, or neatly hand written in black ink, which should include:
i. An appraisal of two distinct and viable design solutions in structural concrete for the building, together with their associated beam, column and wall layouts. The appraisals should comprise sketches of a typical car park floor and of the pool level with supporting notes, outlining the intended load transfer mechanisms, framing and stability functions, and some brief notes on construction methodology.
ii. An evaluation of the merits and disadvantages of the two solutions. The evaluation should identify significant differences such as cost or buildability between the two alternatives, and make a recommendation in favour of one solution.
iii. A description of the foundation scheme adopted for the preferred solution, with a rationale for the selection. A fully detailed design for the foundation scheme is not required.
iv. An outline specification for the materials used in pool finishes.
v. An outline specification for concrete and reinforcing materials.
vi. A method statement for a safe construction procedure for the building.
vii. A statement of how robustness to avoid disproportionate collapse is satisfied.
viii. After completion of your design, the client acquires a second and similar development site, this time in a seismically active area, and initially proposes to use the existing design for its construction. Write a letter to the client outlining the modifications necessary to the first design for a similar building at the second site.
3.2 Verification of structural viability
The verification of structural viability of the selected scheme should be demonstrated in Appendices to the conceptual design report to make up the balance of the report. (The maximum total length of the design report, sustainability appraisal plus Appendix is 60 pages A4.)
The Appendices should contain sufficient design calculations by hand (calculation sheet included may be used) to establish the form and size of all structural elements for the chosen scheme. Entrants should decide how best to convey this information within the space constraints imposed.
Calculations for individual elements should enable a checker to clearly understand their contribution to the strength and stability of the whole structure, and the load paths assumed. Hence, if computer output is presented, validation by (approximate) hand calculations is also required. Consideration should be given to performance at both Serviceability and Ultimate Limit States.
Outline the procedure to be adopted for testing the watertightness of the pool and the remedial action to be taken should minor leaks be evident (maximum 1 page).
Note: calculations are not required for stairs, cladding and parapet components, and protective barriers in the car park.
3.3 Drawings
A total of three A3 drawings should be included. Drawings may be prepared using appropriate CAD software, or by hand. In either case, notes and dimensions should not be smaller than the equivalent of an 11pt font.
Two of the A3 drawings should be used to present general arrangements, sections and elevations of the building to show the layout, disposition and dimensions of structural elements for estimation purposes. Drawings should be to an appropriate scale and must be dimensioned. Reinforcement details should not be shown on these two drawings.
The third drawing should show the reinforcement detail at the junction between pool floor and pool walls; the reinforcement detail at the junctions between a horizontal pool support member and the vertical components which support it; the detail of the fixing arrangement for a precast concrete cladding panel; together with sketches and notes as appropriate to describe the completed construction. The sketches should be approximately to scale but need not be fully dimensioned.
3.4 Sustainability plan
Effective maintenance of constructed assets to maintain them in serviceable condition is a key aspect of sustainable construction as well as control of life cycle costs. The client therefore requires a user manual for the building, to be transmitted to the asset maintenance manager, outlining the steps to be taken to monitor and maintain the structure in serviceable condition. Prepare a bullet list of contents of the user manual (maximum two pages) covering all significant issues to be addressed in a maintenance plan for the reinforced concrete structure, indicating the intervals at which monitoring of each item should be undertaken.
(The user manual for the structure is not to cover items of plant or services.)
4. A ssessment criteria
4.1 Local
The competition will operate at two levels. All submissions made at each university will first be judged locally by the academic tutor(s) involved with the project. The winning submission from each university should be entered for the national level of the competition by the tutor.
Only one entry from each university can go forward for final judging at a national level.
4.2 National
The winning entry from each participating university will be judged at national level using the following generic assessment criteria:
¡ Compliance with the project brief
¡ Safety, function, stability and robustness
¡ Buildability, constructability and maintainability
¡ Speed of construction and cost effectiveness ? Imagination, flair, aesthetic appreciation and innovation.
The interpretation of the above criteria by the award judging panel will be final and feedback will not be provided.
5. Awards
5.1 University level
The winning entry from each university will receive a prize of £250. The winning entry will go forward to compete at national level.
5.2 National level
The winner(s) of the national competition will receive a certificate(s) and a prize of £1,250. Runner(s) up will also receive a certificate(s) and a prize of £750. The judges may decide on joint prizes in which case the above prize money will be divided up by the judging panel at its discretion.
A special commendation, certificate and prize of £250 will be available for the best Sustainability Appraisal.
The prize-winners’ universities will also receive certificates.
5.3 Presentation
The prizes and certificates will be presented to the winner(s), runner(s) up and winner(s) of the special commendation at an awards ceremony in September 2016 in London. This will be part of a seminar for practising engineers who will be able to review the winning entries. The prize-winners will be notified of further details.
5.4 Eligibility
Structural Concrete 2016 is open only to students studying for a degree at a UK university. Entries can be single, joint, or from teams of up to four students. Although the competition is aimed at students in their final years of study, entries from any other appropriate undergraduate and/or postgraduate stages will also be considered at the discretion of the academic tutor(s).
6. Rules
I. To enter the competition the university academic tutor(s) should register the university’s intention to participate by emailing The Concrete Centre at info@concretecentre.com. Registration will enable The Concrete Centre to provide supplementary information and/or assistance if needed.
II. The completed entry form naming the local winner should reach The Concrete Centre at either the postal or email address given below by Friday 10 June 2016. On receipt, The Concrete Centre will issue each competitor with an entry reference number.
III. Complete design entries must be received by post, by the final deadline of 4pm on Friday 8 July 2016. The entry reference number should be clearly marked on all items forming the design entry, and on the outside of the package. No other form of identification or distinguishing mark should appear on any part of the submission.
IV. A successful competitor may be required to satisfy the judges that he or she is the bona fide author of the design that he or she has submitted.
V. Competitors should retain the originals of the designs and drawings submitted. The organisers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to submissions which may occur either in transit or during exhibition, storage or packing. The organisers regret that submissions cannot be returned to candidates after the competition.
VI. Any entry shall be excluded from the competition if:
¡ The competitor does not meet the eligibility requirements detailed in Section 5.4
¡ The entry is received after the competition closing date in rule III above
¡ The competitor discloses his or her identity, or that of the university, in the submission
¡ The competitor attempts to influence either directly or indirectly the decision of the award judging panel.
Only one copy of each competitor(s)’ design is to be sent in a single package to:
Structural Concrete 2016
MPA The Concrete Centre
Gillingham House
38-44 Gillingham Street
London
SW1V 1HU Email: info@concretecentre.com
VII. PDF copies of the drawings from the submission must be emailed to info@concretecentre.com. These will be used to form displays of any winning entries at the award ceremony.

Entry Form
Structural Concrete Student Design Competition 2016
To be submitted by no later than 10 June 2016. This form is to be completed only for the entry which has been marked and selected by the academic tutor(s) for submission to the national competition. Only one entry will be permitted from each university.
University
Name and
email address of Academic Tutor(s)
The following student or student team will represent the university:
Student Name
Home Address
Email
Phone Year
Student Name
Home Address
Email
Phone Year
Student Name
Home Address
Email
Phone Year
Student Name
Home Address
Email
Phone Year
1. *I/We have complied with and accepted the rules which apply to this competition
2. *I/We agree to accept the decision of the judges as final, and agree to permit free publication and exhibition of *my/our work
3. *I/we declare that the design is *my/our work and that the drawings have been prepared by *myself/ourselves.
4. *I/we agree that any part of this work may be reproduced in publicity or other materials by The Concrete Centre as required. *Delete as applicable
Signature student(s):
Signature academic tutor(s)
This form is to be completed by the competitor(s) and academic tutor(s), placed in a sealed envelope and returned to the address given below. An entry reference number will then be given, which should be marked clearly on all items forming the design entry and on the outside of the package. No other form of identification or distinguishing mark should appear on any part of the submission.
Please return to:
Structural Concrete 2016, The Concrete Centre, Gillingham House, 38-44 Gillingham Street, London SW1V 1HU or by email to info@concretecentre.com.