Charles Street Q Park
St Paul's, Sheffield
| Precast Concrete: | Tarmac Precast |
| Erection: | PCE Ltd |
| Main Contractor: | J.F. Finnegan |
| Architect: | Allies & Morrrison Architects, London |
| Engineer: | Capita Symons Structures, Cheadle Hulme |
The Challenge
To erect from second floor level a high specification multi-story car park incorporating an unusual "ramp free" design in the centre of the city amid multiple development sites. To achieve construction to programme and manage logistics, craneage and a complex lifting regime.
Key Benefits
EXPERTISE
Complexity and intricacy of build due to the bespoke nature of the design solution
SPEED
Very challenging construction programme
LOGISTICS
Complex crane co-ordination with three different structures by three different contractors all being constructed on the same city centre development
EXPERIENCE
Large scale elements up to 20 tonnes and 17 metre span floors
SAFETY
There were many Health and Safety challenges due to the constraints of the site and the form of construction. However, PCE were able to develop practical and effective solutions to all aspects of this multi storey scheme
The Project
Charles Street Q Park is sited above a casino and retail complex, with in-situ concrete construction to level two and high quality precast concrete units forming the seven-storey car park which is accesses by a spiral roadway from street level.
Each deck gradually rises to provide smooth access and egress for vehicles, removing the need for steep ramps or tight turns.
PCE Ltd was appointed as specialist precast concrete contractor to erect almost 1,100 units that make up the internal structure of the car park and its decks.
The total management package involved substantial temporary works and control of two newly acquired tower cranes, a CTL 630 and CTL 400, which required meticulous supervision and radio communications to avoid conflict with three more tower cranes operating on neighbouring sites.
The construction features precast concrete column and beam construction for the frame with double-T units being used to form the main car park decks.
In all, 53 Columns, over 100 edge beams and 105 gable beams, nine special beams, 75double boot beams were erected to form the frame, together with 170 wall panels, 437 double and single T units, 60 stair flights, 45 landings and 17 roof-stair slabs.
All precast elements were erected over the course of the 22 week contract, with a number of complex lifts required for a series of raked beams weighing up to almost 23 tonnes each and column units up to five storeys in height - around 13.5 metres.
Following installation, the precast concrete components were treated with high performance coatings to achieve a bright homogenous finish and mark out the roadways.
By expert management of the supply chain, PCE was able to meet targets and overcome problems of difficult access, complex lifting requirements and avoid conflict with neighbouring construction sites.
The completed building features an unusual aluminium cladding system and covers a footprint of some 30,000 sq feet. The high quality car park, operated by Q-Park, provides 520 vehicle spaces.
