NovoCrete Soil Stabilization

nov/dec 2011 61
n Applications On Site
Sinoboom will be supplying its access equipment to the Koniambo
Nickel Ore Project in New Caledonia, one of the worlds rst
large-scale nickel-iron ore production projects to adopt modular
construction and off-site assembly. The equipment will be used
by China CMIIC Engineering & Construction Corp, eight of the
18 module contracts in the project with gross engineering weight
of over 12,000 t.
The access equipment to be supplied will include scissor lifts,
articulated boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts, covering working
heights from 8 to 44 m - with key components sourced from the worlds
top brands complying with CE certicate and AS1418 complied.
Sinoboom is also under negotiation with CMIIC for equipment supply
in other overseas projects. n
Enquiry: overseas@sinoboom.com
Sinoboom joins nickel ore
project in New Caledonia
Sinoboom is supplying a wide range of access equipment
to the Koniambo nickel ore project, including scissor lifts,
articulated boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts, covering
working heights from 8 to 44 m.
62
nov/dec 2011
The paving contractor Manatts recently
completed 20.1 km of a 20.9 km project
in Iowa, USA. The company is building
the new section of Highway 30 in Marshall
and Story counties with its Gomaco paving
equipment, including a PS-2600 placer/
spreader, two-track GP-3000 paver, four-
track GHP-2800 paver, and a T/C-600
texture/cure machine. The new concrete
highway is 7.9 m wide, 254 mm thick, and
slipformed in one paving pass.
The Iowa Department of Transportations
(IDOT) specifications for pavement
smoothness utilise the zero-blanking
band with both incentive/disincentive pay
built into the contract. Prole indexes on
roadways with speeds greater than 72.4
km/hr require a measurement of 411 to 630
mm/km for full pay. Anything under 410
mm/km earns incentive pay, with greater
incentives offered as the numbers go lower.
Anything over 631 mm/km is penalised with
a disincentive, and even higher numbers
require corrective measures.
Manatts equipped its 2004 model-
year GHP-2800 paver with Gomacos new
5400 series mould and a rear-loading,
front-inserting 5400 series bar inserter.
The company also upgraded the pavers
G21 to a G22 controller to test new
software upgrades. Improvements from the
G21 to G22 include a new display with
high-resolution deviations meters on the
run screen. The meters display possible
machine deviations in multi-coloured
(green, yellow and red) bar graph meters.
They also assist the operator in netuning
both grade and steering performance on the
paver. In addition, the G22 features new,
proprietary smooth paving software which
detects and eliminates any stringline hits
and rod and knot bumps.
Gomaco worked closely with Manatts
during the testing. Two pan-mounted GSI
(Gomaco Smoothness Indicator) units on
the GHP-2800 would constantly monitor
the paving results. The process began the
rst day with Manatts using its standard
settings on the G22 and recording the
results. The second day, Gomaco adjusted
the sensitivities. Then, on the third day, the
new G22 software was installed and used for
netuning the paver.
The software, available for G22 and
G+ control systems, has been designed
in-house by Gomaco. Prior to this, the
operator working at the control console
would need a person on the ground watching
for leg movement while going through
the threshold calibration procedure. The
groundman would communicate movement
to the operator and the operator would set
and record the threshold and the process
would be repeated for each leg of the paver.
From the rst day of operating with the
new G22 software to the end of the project,
Manatts rideability readings continued to
improve. Prolograph readings were taken
using Manatts high-speed prolograph.
After approximately 8 km of new
concrete roadway was slipformed with
the new G22 software and GSI monitoring
capabilities, Manatts averaged 283 mm/km
in the left wheel tracks and 280 mm/km in
the right wheel tracks. The haul road was
located on the right side of the GHP-2800
paver. On IDOTs pavement pay chart,
pavement segments averaging 345 mm/km
or less earn maximum incentive pay. In the
state of Iowa, that equals an incentive of
US$950 per 0.16 km segment per lane.
Paving production on the Highway 30
project averaged approximately 2,905 cu m
Gomaco paves on Iowa Highway
per day, with several days averaging over
3,058 cu m. Manatts had its mobile batch
plant on site mixing the IDOT approved
concrete mix. Concrete was delivered to the
job-site in trucks carrying 6.1 cu m loads.
The trucks dumped onto the belt of the
Gomaco PS-2600 placer/spreader working
ahead of the paver.
The pavers 5400 series bar inserter
placed a 762 mm long, #4 bar every 914
mm into the 254 mm thick concrete slab. A
burlap drag was applied behind the paver,
followed by the Gomaco T/C-600 applying
the texture and curing compound. n
Enquiry: info@gomaco.com
Above: Manatts 8 km of proflographed
pavement averaged 283 mm/km in the
left wheel tracks and 280 mm/km in the
right wheel tracks after the G22 with new,
proprietary smooth paving software was
installed on the paver.
Right: Two paver-mounted GSI units monitor
the smoothness in each driving lane. The
information is instantly displayed and
reviewed on a single touch-screen mounted
on the side of the GHP-2800 paver.
nov/dec 2011 63
Sennebogen crawler cranes have been used successfully all over
the world. Among these highlights is the Sennebogen 690 HD duty-
cycle crawler crane, which has been used by Tuksu Engineering
& Construction with a 15 t diaphragm wall grabber in a large
building project in Singapore, part of the MRT Downtown Line 2
expansion. With a load capacity of 90 t, a 447 kW diesel engine
and an extremely robust construction, the 690 HD can meet very
tough requirements. The duty-cycle crawler crane product range
from Sennebogen includes 10 models with loads ranging from 20
to 200 t and engine power of 119 to 708 kW.
In France, the Sennebogen 683 telescopic crawler crane with a
boom length of 42 m and a load of up to 80 t was recently used by
Matire, a leading company in the production of iron and concrete
bridges. Matire uses its own patent for underpasses under motorways
and railway tracks. These underpasses are tunnels with a width of
up to 11.5 m and are made up of ready-mixed concrete arches that
are connected accordingly. The weight of the concrete arches varies
between 5 and 25 t. The heavy nished parts must be transported
and assembled safely and precisely at the site. The Sennebogen
683 is ideal for lifting, transporting and positioning these heavy
loads. The compact and extremely robust construction also offers
the highest possible exibility on site. The crawler chassis means
that the crane is also ready for use quickly even on difcult terrain
and under extreme conditions and easy to manoeuvre in the tightest
of spaces through simple crawler movements.
Globetrotting with Sennebogen
A Sennebogen 683 is also currently working in the Middle
East. It is being used to lay a drinking water pipeline in the city of
Alain, Abu Dhabi, with a total length of 45 km under the harshest
of conditions. The gigantic pipes have a length of 18 m, a diameter
of 1.6 m and weigh between 10 and 13 t. These pipes are unloaded
from special HGVs with the Sennebogen 683 and positioned to be
installed in the pipeline trenches at a later stage. The dry desert
climate with temperatures of over 40 deg, sand storms and dust pose
a real challenge on this construction site.
While in Germany, the Sennebogen 5500 crawler crane
has been used at the construction of a new library in Stuttgart.
Designed by the Korean architect Eun Young Yi, the iconic building
represents an investment of 80 million and has become the centre
for culture and development. The prefabricated facade elements,
consisting of concrete and glass building blocks, were unloaded
on site by the 180 t crawler crane and were mounted individually
in a grid to form an outer facade. To be able to reach all four sides
of the building optimally, the Sennebogen 5500 was congured
with a 41.1 m main boom and a 35.5 m lufng jib. In this way the
parts, weighing up to 15 t, could be lifted precisely and safely into
the desired position. n
Enquiry: burgmer.m@sennebogenpl.com
A Sennebogen 690 HD duty-cycle crawler crane with a 15 t
diaphragm wall grabber working in a large building project
in Singapore, part of the MRT Downtown Line 2 expansion
project.
A Sennebogen 5500 crawler crane being used at the
construction of a new library in Stuttgart, Germany. The crane
was confgured with a 41.1 m main boom and a 35.5 m
luffng jib.
64
nov/dec 2011
The Portuguese village of Cascais is a popular tourist destination.
The attention was even greater this year with the arrival of one of the
worlds premiere sailing races, the Americas Cup, in August. For
this, the Cascais municipality realised it had to make improvements
to Avenida Marginal, the waterfront thoroughfare that leads to the
village and the main attractions. The main issue with the road was its
drainage. According to a report, in times of heavy rainfall, stormwater
tributaries accumulate, forming a river and making it dangerous to
cars and pedestrian circulation. Work had to be completed before the
Americas Cup crowd arrived. Yet the seasonal tourists also meant
the road had to remain open while the work took place. Sanestradas,
a local paving contractor, was chosen to complete the job.
The project involved a 1 km section of Avenida Marginal. Much of
the roads surface was in good shape, with the exception of about 65 m.
That section of road had been damaged during a building construction
project. The 65 m would also be the location for a new drainage system,
with rainfall channelled to it via curbs along the remainder of that 1 km
section. Directing the water to those drains created another challenge.
About 300 m of the road was so level that water did not ow.
A simple solution would have been placing a new surface lift with
a slightly steeper grade. But that choice was dismissed because of
low curbs - an average of only 100 mm. Applying a new bituminous
layer to create the grade would have simply caused rain to run over
the curbs. The ooding would have continued.
Cascais municipal ofcials came up with a strategy. First, they
proceeded with the new drainage system. The 65 m of existing curb
was removed, and the ditch oor area replaced with two 200 mm
layers of crushed, aggregate base of extensive granulometry. That base
featured irrigation uidized MC70 bitumen at an impregnation rate
of 1 kg/sq m. A binder layer with a thickness of 11 cm was placed on
top, followed by the wear layer with an average thickness of 6 cm.
The remainder of the road did not need new base layers or
improvements. Therefore, the milling team removed 6 cm of material.
The paving team then placed an AC 14 Surf 35/50 (BB) wear layer
over both the rebuilt and milled portions of the project.
The project teams were given just two weeks to complete the work,
but the time was actually considerably less because work was only
allowed at night. The teams began work at 8 or 9 pm and continued
until about 7 am the following morning. In addition, Avenida Marginal
had to remain open to trafc with no limitations on Fridays, Saturdays
and Sundays to allow tourists to come and go unimpeded. That meant
the two weeks was in actuality eight days. Further complicating the
project was the requirement to keep trafc circulating, though in
a limited manner. This led to a process of milling one lane for two
nights, then tandem paving and compacting for the next night. At
that point, the lane was completed.
A Cat PM102 Cold Planer removed the 6 cm of asphalt in the
required areas. The PM102, smaller than the Cat PM200, was chosen
because its size made it a better t for the narrow road. Yet the machine
delivered the required productivity, as it had to mill a lane in only two
nights. The tight timeframe left no margin for error. Because of this,
two service technicians from STET, the Cat Dealer in Portugal, stayed
on the jobsite throughout the night in case they were needed.
When an entire lane was milled, tandem pavers went to work.
Delivery trucks end-dumped the material into the pavers. Sanestradas
chose the new Cat AP555E with an AS4252C screed. Working just
a few meters ahead of it was the tried-and-tested Cat AP655D.
Caterpillar had a technician specialised in handling pavers on hand
to ensure smooth integration of the new AP555E.
Cat machines prepare for smooth sailing
Tandem pavers helped to meet the project tight deadlines.
Three Cat compactors - the CB434D, PS300B and CB34 - easily
kept pace with the two pavers, and met density specications. The
PS300B worked in breakdown mode, and was right behind the
second paver, the AP555E. The longitudinal joint was done hot, and
easily compacted, because the rst paver worked only a few dozen
meters ahead of the second. The compactors worked at a distance
that enabled compaction and kept pace with the paving train. The
number of passes depended on the pace of the paver and the delivery
trucks. The compactors treated the two freshly placed mats as if they
were one and worked across the entire width of the lane.
The Cascais municipality authorities kept a close watch on
the jobsite, and were pleased the road was completed in time for
the Americas Cup. n
Enquiry: fonseca_theresa@cat.com
Work was carried out at night, from 8 or 9 pm to around 7 am
the following morning, and the road had to remain open.
With magnifcent
views of the
Atlantic Ocean,the
Portuguese village
of Cascais is a
popular tourist
destination.
Becoming more
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Register today and save 40%
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66 nov/dec 2011
n Residential Project
Milano Residences to open in Manila
W
ork has recently started on the
Milano Residences, an upmarket
residential project in Manila,
the Philippines. The project, scheduled for
completion in 2015, is being developed by one
of the largest real estate companies in Asia,
Century properties. It is designed by Broadway
Malyan and with public space interiors by
renowned luxury brand Versace Home.
When compl et ed, i t wi l l be an
iconic landmark within the Century City
masterplan, reinforcing the diverse and
changing skyline of Modern Makati. The 53-
storey tower will boast 340 exible one- to
three-bedroom apartments, with prime units
including penthouses, town houses and
Italian-inspired loggia lofts that feature
private plunge pools and skygardens.
This is a major milestone in this
prestigious and high-profile residential
project, which has drawn on the diverse
skills, expertise and experience of our global
team of expert designers, said Prof Jason
Pomeroy, director at Broadway Malyan. The
scheme demonstrates the emerging trend of
luxury branded condominium living in Asia,
with hospitality-type boutique facilities and
concierge services set to become regular
features of high-end residential developments
in the region, and the increasing role of
luxury brands in the added lifestyle value
of such developments.
The Milano Residences has been designed
to embody the character of traditional Italian
spaces by fostering indoor-outdoor living
through the use of sky loggias, sky piazzas
and sky terraces that are reinterpreted through
a series of vertical skycourts and gardens
that punctuate the tower. The Italianate
references compliment the Versace-branded
interiors, while ensuring the building retains
a grounded and timeless quality.
Sustainability has been a key driver in
the design, with a passive design approach
that employs narrow oor plates and high
ceilings optimise daylight penetration and
further opportunities for natural ventilation.
The design also includes a green roof and
an abundance of densely foliated vertical
open spaces to help collect excess rainwater,
irrigate planting within the building and
reduce ambient temperatures. Meanwhile,
materials have been selected on the basis
of their environmental credentials as well
as aesthetics.
Broadway Malyan is currently delivering
a wide portfolio of award-winning projects,
including in the Philippines, Singapore and
wider Asia region in support of the regions
burgeoning green building movement. n
Images: Designed by Broadway Malyan and
with public space interiors by renowned
luxury brand Versace Home, the Milano
Residences features sustainability. The passive
design approach employs narrow foor
plates and high ceilings optimise daylight
penetration and further opportunities for
natural ventilation.
68 nov/dec 2011
A view of the Mer de Glace glacier.
Absolutely Fabulous
T
wo spectacular high-rise buildings are currently twisting and
turning upwards into the Canadian sky. These curvaceous
towers, the Absolute World, form part of the new Absolute City
Centre development in Mississauga, Ontario, which consists of ve
apartment and ofce blocks with heights of up to 170 m.
The rotations of the Absolute World towers are exceptional - the
southern tower features a varying rotational movement and the northern
tower twists uniformly upwards. The attractive, undulating sequence
of curves featured on the southern high-rise building has resulted in it
being given the nickname of Marilyn Monroe by the enthusiastic local
population. For both buildings, the complete enclosure of the upper
oors through the Peri RCS climbing protection panel ensured the
safety of the construction site team, which led to higher productivity.
Due to the different rotations by different degrees at different levels,
two unusual climbing methods have been developed with the help
of the modular construction system, adapted specically to suit the
respective project requirements and building geometry.
Absolute Tower South
With the 170 m high Absolute Tower South, the elliptically shaped
ground plan rotates by 208 deg over the course of 56 oors featuring
twists of between 3 and 8 deg from storey to storey. To ensure safe
working conditions, also at great heights along with increasing
productivity levels, the working area of the three uppermost oors in
each case is completely enclosed with the RCS climbing protection
panel. As for crane and weather-independent moving of the 30 RCS
units, the contractor is working efciently with the mobile RCS self-
climbing technology.
During the climbing procedure, the climbing rails are rmly
connected to the building by climbing shoes. Compensating the
offset between the individual oors is achieved by system steel
girders anchored to the slabs: on the other hand, universally usable
RCS climbing rails cantilever up to 2 m beyond the edge of the slab
and support the climbing protection panel. Through the large usable
compensation area, the number of levels is minimised where the
RCS units have to be re-adjusted due to the rotation of the storeys.
For the oor-by-oor planning of the enclosure, Peri took into
consideration all possible obstacles and discontinuities to determine
an optimal element arrangement and separate for each oor the
corresponding anchor positions.
With protection provided by the RCS climbing protection panel,
the two twisting Absolute World towers rise steadily upwards in
regular weekly cycles.
Absolute Tower South: the three uppermost foors under
construction are completely enclosed. Cantilevered climbing
shoes compensate for the offsets of the individual storeys.
nov/dec 2011 69
Absolute Tower North
Construction of the 150 m high, 50 - storey counterpart in the north took
place a few months later. For its realisation, Peri designed an extremely
cost-effective climbing variant.As the rotation of the elliptical-shaped
oors is a constant 4 deg in each case here, the RCS protection panel
itself uniformly turns in an upward direction. In addition, the climbing
rails are inclined at an angle of 26 deg to the vertical and connected to
the storey slabs by means of RCS system climbing shoes and project-
specic modied slab shoes. Likewise, the RCS units are climbed
hydraulically moving with the crane would not be possible due to
the inclined climbing track.
That this unique climbing method is possible with the RCS
rail climbing system as well as being applicable in construction
site conditions was proven beforehand by Peri with corresponding
calculations along with a test set-up. n
Enquiry: redaktion@peri.de
On the northern tower, the RCS enclosure climbs upwards at an
angle hydraulically and therefore craneindependent using the
RCS selfclimbing devices.
Two landing platforms are integrated in the RCS protection panel
solution. These allow fast and simple transport of materials.
Protected by the RCS climbing protection panel, safe and fast
forming is carried out even at great heights using Skydeck.
Site personnel is well protected against falling at all times and
against strong winds when working at all heights.
Real Estate Developer:
Fernbrook Homes, Concord Cityzen Development, Toronto
General Contractor:
Dominus Construction, Toronto Contractor Structural Work Premform
Limited, Toronto
Field Service:
Peri Toronto, Canada and Peri Weissenhorn, Germany
PROJECT TEAM
All images Peri GmbH
70 nov/dec 2011
n Safety Feature
TRAM-MING AROUND THE WORLD
T
RAM (Travel Restraint Access Module), produced by Chicago-
based Standfast Corporation, enables users to walk on top of
the crane boom with absolutely no risk of falling. The user
has a double lanyard that clips onto a moveable handlebar at waist
height. The handle is xed at foot level to a rail along the length of
the boom. By tying off at waist level rather than foot level, TRAM
users have no distance to fall in the event of a slip or trip, and still
have total freedom to do their work.
The handle, or arm, rotates 180 deg to aid manoeuvrability and
to allow the arm to fold down for storage when not in use. As the user
climbs up the side of the crane, he or she clips the lanyard onto the
arm. Squeezing the hand brake releases an air-powered spring that
pushes the arm gently but rmly to vertical, helping the user climb
up and over onto the top of the boom. Similar assistance is given in
descent. A deadmans brake prevents the arm moving along the rail
unless the hand brake is squeezed.
TRAM was originally developed for worker safety on bulk liquid
tankers but has now been rened for cranes after several pilot
installations in Europe and Australia have proved the concept. The
product is becoming an increasingly popular way to improve safety
on cranes around the world.
New Zealand takes the lead
The New Zealand Crane Group is installing TRAM to every all
terrain crane in its eet above 80 t capacity - the rst company in
the world to commit to such a full-scale programme across its entire
eet. According to NZ Crane managing director Deane Manley, crane
workers had been taking too many risks for too long when pinning jibs
onto booms. It has been standard industry practice for years to climb
on top of booms without adequate fall protection, but this has just got
to stop. It is clearly hazardous but no one seemed to know of a better
way before. At 4 m above the ground, a fall from that height is enough
to kill someone. When we found out about TRAM it was clear that
ignorance was no longer an excuse.
Most of the companys cranes are Grove brands. The rst two
machines that were recently tted with TRAM were a GMK 5170 and
a GMK 4100. The company has ordered a further 10 TRAM units to
be tted to its other cranes before December this year.
For the rst installations, TRAM Australia Pacic, Standfasts
agent in the region, worked closely with long-standing Grove
distributor Tidd Ross Todd (TRT) and NZ Crane to produce a
methodology for xing the rail to the booms. The precise method for
New Zealand Crane Group is installing TRAM to every
all terrain crane in its feet above 80 t capacity.
nov/dec 2011 71
n Safety Feature
xing the rail to the boom can be different for
each crane type, depending on such diverse
features as the location of rope retainers and
angle of tilt of the cab.
Previous TRAM installations have seen
the rail welded or banded on the boom.
TRT engineering director Robert Carden
proposed a chemical bonding solution
instead, where the brackets that hold the
rail are bonded to the boom by pressure
injecting an epoxy resin into the joint. We
have used this method for the past six years
to bond the breglass insert into our steel
booms for live-line aerial platforms. We
have also used it to bond the trailing boom
trailer mast mounts under the boom of a
GMK 4100 and GMK 5130-1.
TRAM Australia Pacic director Martin
Jones designed a bracket that forms to the
contour of the boom and laps over each side
of the boom at the top, to resist shear forces.
Grove have been very helpful in supplying
me with drawings of their boom proles. This
allowed me to manufacture brackets more
easily knowing that they t perfectly.
The bonding process has been designed
and tested to AS/NZS 1891.4: 2009
Industrial Fall Arrest Systems and Devices
Selection Use and Maintenance, and
certified to equivalent international
standards. The TRAM unit itself is also
independently certified as meeting all
relevant international standards.
While welding and strapping have both
worked perfectly well on other installations,
Mr Jones believed that bonding has
the benefit of looking very neat. The
requirement for overnight curing adds to the
installation time and there was an additional
cost to the rst two units simply because
they were the rst, but costs are expected
to reduce rapidly.
With the methodology in place, tested
and proven, Mr Manley said that NZ Crane
and TRT will do the remainder of the
installations themselves.
The two Groves with TRAMs already tted
are now back at work on the North Island grid
update project, a NZ$230 million project to
build a new 400 kV power transmission line
from Whakamaru to Auckland. NZ Cranes
customer here is BBUG, a joint venture of
Balfour Beatty and United Group.
For Mr Manley, the benets of TRAM
go beyond being able to sleep at night
knowing that his workers are more likely to
get home alive. There are also commercial
rewards. It helps to position the company as
likely supplier of choice for any customer
like BBUG that takes safety seriously. And
it has been a key component of a safety
programme that has secured a 20 percent
discount on insurance premiums for the
countrys mandatory Accident Compensation
Corporation (ACC) scheme.Its a no brainer.
The only reason why you wouldnt t TRAM
is because you are too miserable.
Entering North American rental market
AmQuip has become the rst crane rental
company in North America to t TRAM to its
cranes. The company is initially targetting
its largest telescopic boom cranes, where
workers need access to the top of the crane
to assemble attachments.
We have identied 20 of our largest
all-terrains as a priority for TRAM, said
AmQuip VP for Risk Management, Jeff
Hammons. We take safety seriously and
most of our business is with customers
who are equally safety sensitive. Neither
AmQuip nor its customers can accept
employees being unprotected on top of
cranes any longer. TRAM provides a safe
and convenient solution while still meeting
compliance with OSHAs new Crane and
Derrick standard, 1926.1400.
The rst AmQuip units to be tted with
TRAM are four of its Grove GMK 7550
cranes, including two that have Groves Mega
Wing attachments. The first installation
was completed mid-August. The next three
Above: The precise method for fxing the rail to the boom can be different for each
crane type, depending on such diverse features as the location of rope retainers and
angle of tilt of the cab.
Below: AmQuip has become the frst crane rental company in North America to ft
TRAM to its cranes.
72 nov/dec 2011
n Safety Feature
installations will be completed by the end of September. The GMK
7550 is a 550 US t (450 t) capacity telescopic crane with a ve-section,
60 m main boom and jib extensions up to 73 m.
Ascent and descent is often the riskiest part of working at height.
TRAM makes this not just safer but easier too. As the user climbs
up the side of the crane, he or she clips the lanyard onto the handle.
Squeezing the hand brake releases an air-powered spring that pushes
the arm gently but rmly to vertical, helping the user climb up and
over onto the top of the boom. Similar assistance is given in descent.
A deadmans brake prevents the arm from moving along the rail unless
the hand brake is squeezed.
We spent a long time researching ways to assemble large cranes
in a safer way, said Mr Hammons. When we discovered TRAM, it
was a clear choice not just because it is so effective, but because it
is also convenient and very easy to use.
I have found, in my 20-plus years providing safety and risk
management services, that if something is not convenient and
comfortable, people wont use it. TRAM meets all our criteria. It
allows the employees to go about their work at their normal pace
with no impediment it prevents them from falling, and it stows
away when it is not in use.
AmQuip Crane Rental LLC is a leading US crane rental company,
serving the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic region, and most Midwest and
Southern states.
Global move
Standfast has now retrotted TRAM in Europe and Australia to
several sizes and makes of both telescopic and lattice boom mobile
cranes from 60 up to 600 t capacity upwards, as well as on gantry
beams of overhead travelling cranes. Early crane installations
required a degree of modication to t each application, depending
on the design of the crane. However, with growing demand from
crane owners worldwide, Standfast has now developed, rened and
standardised its methodology for either welding, banding or bonding
TRAM rails to most crane types.
Crane owners that have already installed TRAM systems
include Australian hire companies Boom Logistics and Hanchard
Cranes; wind power company Suzlon Energy Australia; New
Zealand Crane Group; Ainscough Crane Hire of the UK; and Royal
Saan of the Netherlands.
As well as providing crane owners with a retrot safety solution,
Standfast supplies TRAM systems to Terex Cranes for tment on
original equipment. Terex offers TRAM as a recommended option
on its larger all terrain cranes and has been recently specied by
several Terex customers including King Lifting in the UK.
Standfast is also in discussions with other OEM manufacturers
that are under pressure from customers to develop improved height
safety measures that are both practical and affordable.
The TRAM fall restraint system has attracted a lot of interest
from crane owners and manufacturer alike. Safety authorities
all over the world are really tightening up on working at height
since falls are the biggest cause of industrial accidents. They are
pressuring major contractors to raise their game in eliminating fall
risk, said Standfast CEO Cameron Baker. Producing a system
that offers riggers safety while still giving them the freedom to
do their work seems to have been quite a challenge for the crane
industry. Fall arrest systems that leave guys dangling in the air
and risking shock trauma are clearly inadequate. Fall restrain
systems like TRAM that prevent falls in the rst place are a far
better approach. n
Enquiry: info@standfastcorp.com
AmQuip has identifed 20 of its largest
all-terrains as a priority for TRAM.
74 nov/dec 2011
n Industrial Development
A view of the Mer de Glace glacier.
Below The Ice
nov/dec 2011 75
S
ince 1973, the Bois hydroelectric power
station owned by EDF company has
been located under a glacier known as
Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), believed to be the
biggest in France. Thanks to the snowmelt,
the power station has an annual production
rate of 115 mil kW/h, enough to supply a
small town of 50,000 inhabitants. About 95
percent of the electricity is produced during
the seven months of ice melt.
However, global warming has been
speeding up this process for a number of
years. To face up to the reduction of the
glacier, EDF decided to modify the plant
and move the water captation facilities to a
higher altitude.
Following in-depth research of the zone,
EDF decided to move the new site 1,000 m
further up the mountain to a point where the
glacier is still around 130 m thick, which
will enable the plant to exploit the glacier
for several more decades.
Unique power station
The Bois power station is almost unique in
the world. It is believed that there are very
few power stations of this type - the Emosson
plant, also in Vallorcine in Upper Savoy,
which uses water from the Argentire; and
Tour glaciers (both belonging to the Mont
Blanc massif); and a further two similar
plants in Norway.
The operating principle is as follows: the
captured water is channelled into a tunnel,
then made to ow into a well around 300
m deep. The force generated by the falling
water produces 100 percent renewable
energy - 3 cu m of water derived from melted
snow produces approximately 2 kW/h.
The Bois underground power station is
perfectly integrated into the landscape and
does not compromise the natural beauty of
Mont Blanc, a site under environmental
protection. Site activities, which are still
ongoing, also have a low impact on the
natural environment and tourist activities
of the glacier. EDF is particularly careful
about reducing outdoor activities to a
minimum and not leaving the tools and
equipment used on view.
Challenging site
This exceptional site requires meticulous
organisation and special logistics, because at
an altitude of 1,500 m and with extremely low
temperatures during the winter, conditions
are particularly hard and reaching the site is
arduous. In fact, those who work on the site
use a private cable car while the materials
are mainly transported by helicopter.
Each trip to and from the site for the
personnel lasts three minutes. After getting
The Aiguille Verte (1.422 m high) in the Mont Blanc complex.
Helicopters are used to transport around 40 big-bags to the site every hour.
76 nov/dec 2011
out of the cable car, they have to go through a tunnel 1 km long, either
on foot or by bike, and then climb 320 steps roped together before
reaching a platform, which marks the starting point of the two new
tunnels under construction.
In collaboration with mountain guides from nearby Chamonix,
the work squads from the construction company use technicians
specialised in working at high altitudes. Professional miners are also
involved in the project. Work goes ahead non-stop 24 hours a day,
seven days a week and 365 days a year.
In June 2008, a rst muck disposal tunnel was opened to have
access to the outside. Then, between January and April 2009, a
temporary pipeline was made to feed the power station while work was
being carried out. Since May 2009, a survey tunnel is being dug in
order to study and establish the exact position for the future captation
point for the water. The digging of the second tunnel started in June
2009, to connect the new captation point with the power station as
soon as possible. The 2,400 m tunnel has been excavated in the rock
using mainly explosives. Below the ice, on the other hand, the survey
tunnels are being excavated using jets of hot water.
Special products
Mapeis UTT (Underground Technology Team) division has developed
two products specically for this site - Mapeshaft BS 15 and Mapeshaft
BS 15 CHF. Mapeshaft BS 15 is a premixed, ready-to-use concrete
characterised by controlled rheology and uidity and high resistance
to sulphates. After adding water, it forms a high-strength, durable class
S4 concrete that remains uid for at least 30 minutes. Mapeshaft BS
15 CHF is a premixed, ready-to-use, controlled-rheology concrete. The
hydraulic binders contained in the product make it highly resistant
to sulphates and highly durable. After adding water, it also forms a
class S4 concrete, which remains uid for at least 30 minutes.
The two types of concrete are transported by helicopter in big-
bags, then mixed using a mixer located underground in a specially
created hollow. Afterwards, they are transported into the tunnels
to build the foundations, the service zones adjacent to the tunnels
(such as the canteen and maintenance areas) and other parts of the
structure, such as the roof of the tunnels and the watertight doors
between the tunnels, which are xed on frames made by anchoring
Mapeshaft BS 15 CHF.
When the work is completed, the service life of the plant and
production of hydroelectric energy will be extended, whereas if the
Bois plant was to be abandoned, the French energy network would
be deprived of an important source of renewable energy. n
Enquiry: mapei@mapei.com.sg
Above: The stairway on the site with its 320 steps and 45 deg
slope, and the adjacent elevator used to transport materials.
Above left: The platform at the heliport where the big-bags of
Mapeshaft BS 15 are picked up.
The existing muck disposal tunnel, which leads to the initial water
captation point.
The article courtesy of Realta Mapei International no. 33.
JAh0A8Y 24 - 27, 2012 SN|hA8S: JAh0A8Y 23 - 27 LAS V6AS 00hVhT|0h 0hT8 LAS V6AS, hVA0A
Whats next for your business? What new equipment will drive
productivity? Spend time at World of Concrete to see, try, compare
and test-drive the latest products and equipment up close and
under actual job site conditions. Meet face-to-face with top
equipment suppliers, exchange ideas with colleagues and attend
focused seminars covering everything from concrete fundamentals
and business management to safety and risk management. |T'S
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78 nov/dec 2011
n Product Feature
T
he new Leica 3D Disto is a three-dimensional measurement
and projection system designed for site measurement, marking
points or checking of dimensions. It requires only one user, and
she/he does not need to have surveying knowledge. Thus it is ideal
for both surveyors and non-surveyors such as engineers, architects,
interior designers and consultants.
The 3D Disto is equipped with a handheld controller wirelessly
connected using WiFi to the 3D measuring device (sensor). The
controller is a 4 ft 8 in TFT high resolution touch screen LCD
with 800 x 480 pixels and 16 million colours encased in a rugged
housing with a 32 GB Flash Memory. The sensor consists of the laser
measurement module mounted on motorised chassis that allows for
360 deg horizontal and 250 deg vertical movement. This results in
versatility for the user to remotely control and measure points in a
space from one step up position.
LEICA DISTO ENTERING
The 3D Disto can perform levelling by itself, with or without
a tripod. Users just place it on a relatively at surface and turn
on the system, and the sensor will take less than a minute to self
level. Even uneven surfaces of up to 3 deg incline will not pose a
problem with the system.
Viewnder function on the controller in full colour with up to 8x
zoom magnication makes nding and aiming to a point very easy.
Moving the pointer to a target can be done on the touch screen by
sliding the cross hair to the target, tapping on the target or using
the on screen navigation arrows, or just manually swivel and tilt the
laser measurement module.
The screen layout is logical and simple with all the necessary
information available such as the main keys, results, software in use,
function keys and hardware status around the border of the screen.
In the centre displays the points measured by the sensor and the
THREE DIMENSION
nov/dec 2011 79
n Product Feature
lines that automatically connects between points. The functions
are logically grouped into various application software including
measurement, room scan, toolkit and projector.
The general situations where a Leica 3D Disto could benet the
user include:
Site measurements to generate or verify electronic blueprints, such
as turnkey renovation/retrotting works and building inspection.
Complex site marking/layout before installation/erection works,
such as positioning for bulky installation or erection.
Repetitive site marking/layout, such as grid layout (sprinkler,
lighting) identical space to space layouts for ttings or building
services like electrical or pipe outlets, etc.
Profiling a surface to measure/develop a template such as
swimming pool covers, awnings and counter tops.
Precision measurement (dimensions and areas) in inaccessible
locations like roofs, skylight and outdoor facade.
Viewfnder function on the controller in full colour with up to
8x zoom magnifcation makes fnding and aiming to a point
very easy.
Above: The Leica 3D Disto screen layout
is logical and simple featuring all the
necessary information.
Left: Precision measurement (dimensions
and areas) in inaccessible locations such
as roofs, skylight and outdoor facade,
can be done by using the 3D Disto.
Easy measurement
Every point is captured in a three-dimensional coordinate, and the
system provides detailed information between points or a group of
points such as direct (tie) distance, horizontal offset, vertical offsets,
angles/slopes, sloped area, horizontal area, perimeter, volume and
input/calculated height.
Area of any shape inclined at any angle can be measured as long
as the system can see all the corners and users can measure up the
areas that they need to omit. This is very useful in situations such as
roof skylights or windows in exterior painting. Volume measurements
allow the users to input the height or simply measure a point anywhere
on the ceiling and the oor, and the points do not need to be in a
vertical alignment.
Systematic capture of points and the ability to edit points and
lines can easily be turned into a simple two dimensional plan. Each
line can be unfolded into elevation view to capture details on each
wall such as doors, windows or any needed details. Shortcut functions
for rectangular or round shapes reduce the measurement details. The
le is saved in dxf format and can be viewed in 2D or 3D, and edited
using the CAD software on a computer.
A unique function of the room scan software is the ability to
scan/prole a surface horizontally and vertically. Depending on the
level of detail, users can set the interval of the scan. They can skip
points or pause the scan at any point to edit the scan interval. The
system also allows them to add or remove points, or lies once the scan
is completed. So whether it is a curved doorway or irregular shaped
wall, users have full control. The scanned prole can be used as a
template for prefabrication or precutting of materials in applications
such as counter tops or ttings to boats, archways etc.
The software essentially helps users to nd a position on the
wall, oor or ceiling in various ways, including transferring a point
vertically up or down; targetting a point beside, below or above a
reference point on the wall; transferring levels another wall; nding
points a set distance from Meter Mark on the wall; and nding a
point(s) parallel to a reference line on the oor. Such application
solution would benet any user who needs to mark out a number
and variety of points or lines before any installation or erection work
can be carried out. This ensures that components or structures can
be correctly positioned in situations of space constraints or where
repositioning is almost impossible.
80 nov/dec 2011
n Product Feature
Relocation
Using three to ve reference targets, the system
can secure its current and subsequently a new
location, ensuring that users measurements
can continue consistently. This enables
greater exibility to relocate the unit for
these situations: capture hard to reach areas,
mapping a project with multiple rooms,
mapping project done over several days, and
sensor gets accidentally bumped or moved.
Pictures of measured points can be
captured with each point to help users easily
recall those points. The relocation function
automatically captures the image of each
reference target in case a new operator takes
over the task the next day.
Results can be quickly translated to
estimates and quotes on the spot. Users
select the data they wish to use, tap on the
value and a calculator appears.
There are many functions in the Leica
3D Disto, however, most functions come with
a guide called Assistant that will display a
simple diagram on what to do at each step
of a function. A printed, quick start pictorial
guide is also available. The le can be saved
in several formats such as dxf, csv and txt
formats, which are CAD, Excel and Notepad
ready formats. File transfer can be done
either by cable connection to a PC or via the
1 GB USB portable drive supplied. n
Left: The fle can be saved in several formats such as dxf, csv
and txt formats, which are CAD, Excel and Notepad ready
formats. File transfer can be done either by cable connection to
a PC or via the 1 GB USB portable drive supplied.
Enquiry: terence.lim@leica-geosystems.com
Website: www.leica-geosystems.com/en/Leica-
3D-Disto_94606.htm
Systematic capture of points and the ability to edit points and lines can easily be
turned into a simple two dimensional plan. Each line can be unfolded into elevation
view to capture details on each wall such as doors, windows or any needed details.
Above: Using the remote control or touch screen control allows users to work
at their own pace. This is ideal for situations such as positioning lights or
sprinklers in an open offce or placing an intricate design on a wall.
The dxf fle created with 3D Disto (opened
by decaff DXF viewer).
82 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on India
the Himalaya
New light of
nov/dec 2011 83
n Focus on India
The project includes a 40 m high dam, a 3
km long headrace tunnel and an underground
penstock leading to an underground power
station with two 70 mW run of river turbines.
The total head of water on the project is 480 m.
The dam and power plant is located just outside
the town of Srinagar in Uttarakhand (formerly
Uttaranchal) State in northern India. This site
was chosen due to its location on the river and
proximity to mountain run off. It provided the
best chance to develop hydro electricity and
manage the level of the river.
The site is nestled in a mountain valley.
While the surrounding mountains are vast
and breathtaking, it is a very remote region
that presents challenges to travel and year-
round work schedules. Getting to the site
requires a 340 km drive from New Delhi on
sometimes unreliable, winding mountain
roads, which can take 12 to 14 hours in
travel time. The location has snowfall for
between four and six months a year, so
construction cannot take place during the
winter. As a result, it is anticipated that it
will take about double the normal length of
time to complete a project of this kind. The
project is scheduled to achieve commercial
operation in 2014. After which, most of the
power generated by the dam and power plant
will be channelled to serve the national
capital territory of Delhi, the second largest
metropolitan area in India with a population
of nearly 14 million people.
In addition, it is an active seismic zone
at risk of earthquakes. In September 1803,
the area suffered a powerful earthquake
that shook the whole region and devastated
the town of Srinagar. As a result, the
engineering and construction teams have
taken noticeable steps to improve the soil
stabilisation on the slopes surrounding the
project area.
Concrete is bound to crack if it is
not properly placed or cured. Therefore,
waterproong concrete with a straightforward,
dependable and guaranteed system offers an
indispensible level of protection, particularly
for dam walls with steel reinforcement.
If water enters cracks in the concrete, it
can damage the reinforcing steel below
the concrete surface. Steel expands when
it corrodes, which leads to more cracks
and water ingress. Over time, the concrete
deteriorates and fails, which can result in
devastating oods.
The town of Srinagar is all too familiar
with the devastation of oods. In August
1894, over 10,000 mil cu ft of water from
the breached Gohna Lake completely swept
away the original town of Srinagar. Modern
day Srinagar was re-established by the
British between 1897 and 1899. They used
urban planning methodology to create a new
the Himalaya
T
he Alaknanda River runs through the foothills of the Himalaya
Mountains and is currently a major water source for northern
India. In 2005 GMR Energy started developing a 330 mW
hydroelectric dam and power plant on the riverbanks to help meet
the growing seasonal demand for power in northern India.
84 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on India
grid-iron patterned town on the upper third
terrace southeast of the previous city site.
The town was granted urban status in 1931
and today is a major economic, cultural and
educational centre in the region.
Building a strong structure
Due to the extreme risk potential in building
or waterproong a dam, governments and
engineers are turning increasingly to integral
crystalline waterproong manufacturers
for help. Integral systems can add decades
to the life of a concrete structure. Unlike
membrane systems that can deteriorate
over time, integral systems become part
of the concrete matrix, waterproong from
the inside out. This gives these systems
added reliability over other waterproong
systems as they cannot be punctured or
torn. In addition, integral systems will not
be worn away by constant exposure to water,
salts or other contaminants and are not
affected by UV rays or concrete expansion
and contraction. Finally, integral systems
are a green solution. They can extend the
serviceable life of structures by decades and
also allow the concrete to be recycled after
Top and bottom: While the surrounding mountains are vast and breathtaking,
the project site is very remote that presents challenges to travel and year-round
work schedules. It also has snowfall for between four and six months a year, so
construction cannot take place during the winter. Due to this, it is expected to take
about double the normal length of time to complete a project of this kind.
180x130_SouthAsiaConstruction.indd 1 24.10.11 08:23
nov/dec 2011 85
n Focus on India
its useful life is over. For hydroelectric dams,
which are a green form of energy, integral
waterproong systems make sense.
Kryton became involved in the project
in 2010 after taking part in a site review
meeting. The company is working with
the on-site Ready Mix plant to optimise
the mix design. Achieving the optimum
mix is proving to be challenging due to
the vast annual temperature uctuation at
the site. In addition, Kryton is helping the
on-site construction team to test and apply
its surface-applied waterproong system,
Krystol T1 and T2, and its internal system,
Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM), to the dam
face, canal and two tunnels.
Going forward, the 1.8 km long canal
leading to the pen stocks and two spillway
tunnels that are each 1 km long will be
waterproofed entirely using KIM. Krystol
T1 and T2 will be applied to the upstream
section of the dam face, which measures
128 m by 340 m. In all, approximately 1,000 t
of Krytons waterproong systems will be used
to treat tens of thousands of square metres of
concrete. n
Enquiry: jwork@kryton.com
Approximately 1,000 t of Krytons waterproofng system will be used to treat tens of
thousands of square metres of concrete at the massive dam.
86 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on India
R
oad construction in India faces the big challenge of having to
complete huge projects in the shortest possible construction
time. Thousands of kilometres of roads are needed and planned
to be built over the next years to expand the network of trafc arteries
in the booming economy. This requires fast-paced, reliable and
economical construction processes, and soil stabilisation meets these
requirements. Application examples from Nagpur (NH7) and Angul
provide an insight into the standard practice.
The black cotton soils predominant in the Nagpur area have
a CBR (California Bearing Ratio) value of less than 3 percent but
maximum plasticity and swelling pressure values exceeding 0.65
kg/ cu cm. In view of the highly plastic and compressible nature
of the soil, the contractor decided to use locally available y ash
(pond ash) in the stabilising process. Laboratory testing showed 15
percent by mass of y ash to be the optimum quantity to be added
for stabilisation of this type of soil as it drastically reduced the free
swell index from 0.65 kg/sq cm to 0.33 kg/sq cm, while increasing
the CBR value to more than 10 percent at the same time.
Stabilisation was performed in three layers. The first and
bottommost layer was stabilised at a depth of 200 mm, and the
second and third layers were stabilised at a depth of 150 mm each,
introducing 15 percent by mass of y ash into each layer to increase
the CBR value to exceed 10 percent. In a rst operational step,
the soil was dumped on site, levelled with a motor grader and then
compacted to a thickness of 200 mm using a vibratory roller. The
y ash was spread on top of the compacted layer in a second step,
and the Wirtgen WR 2400 then stabilised the layer to the specied
working depth. The required quantities of water were supplied by a
water tanker. After completion of the stabilising process, the layer
was pre-compacted in one plain roller pass. Final compaction was
effected in four vibratory passes to achieve the required minimum
eld density of 98 percent of the maximum dry density (MDD). The
process was repeated for the second and third layers at a thickness
of 150 mm each.
The high-performance WR 2400 stabiliser has a capacity of
400 cu m per hour and stabilises up to 8,000 sq m per day. These
exceptional performance levels are ensured by the machines variable
mixing chamber as well as the mixing and milling rotor with quick-
change toolholder system.
Wirtgen soil stabilisers, such as the WR 2400, improve or
stabilise soil by mixing in binding agents, thus producing high-
quality construction material. The most frequently used binding
agents include lime, cement and y ash, as well as special binding
agents specically tailored to the soil to be treated. Introducing lime
into the soil, for example, adjusts the optimal water content, which
greatly improves the soils compactability. Adding cement stabilises
the Wirtgen way
Building roads in India
nov/dec 2011 87
n Focus on India
the soil and improves its bearing capacity. Soils treated in this way
are eminently suitable for the construction of all types of roads.
Soil samples taken on site are subjected to mix design testing in
road laboratories in order to determine the suitability of construction
materials and construction material mixes for the intended
application. Soil classication determines the type and quantity of
binding agents to be used. Compressive strength is determined and
documented in a nal step.
If site conditions require the addition of water or special liquid
binding agents, tanker trucks coupled to the Wirtgen soil stabiliser
deliver them to the machines injection system via hose connections.
The injection systems are tted with up to 16 spraying nozzles,
which can be switched on or off separately to precisely adjust
the spraying width to the specied mixing width. In addition, the
spraying nozzles are cleaned automatically to ensure permanent
operational readiness. The microprocessor-controlled injection
system is operated and monitored from the operators cabin.
Job parameters, such as advance rate, daily production rate and
consumption rates, are also indicated and saved. n
Enquiry: wirtgen@wirtgen.com.sg
Main: Tanker trucks supplying water or
liquid binding agents can be directly
connected to the soil stabiliser. The
microprocessor-controlled injection
system can be relied on to apply the
binding agents in precisely metered
quantities.
Left: The high-performance WR 2400
stabiliser from Wirtgen has a capacity of
400 cu m per hour and stabilises up to
8,000 sq m per day. These exceptional
performance levels are ensured by the
machines variable mixing chamber as
well as the mixing and milling rotor with
quick-change toolholder system.
Below: Soil stabilisation has become a
standard construction method on large-
scale construction projects around the
world.
The Nagpur (NH7) job site:
Total area: 600,000 sq m
Quantity removed: 300,000 cu m
Completion time: 80 days
Milling width: 2.40 m
Advance rate: 12 m/min
Milling performance: 300 cu m/h
The Angul job site:
Total area: 200,000 sq m
Quantity removed: 70,000 cu m
Completion time: 30 days
Milling width: 2.40 m
Advance rate: 10 m/min
Milling performance: 300 cu m/h
PROJECT INFORMATION
88 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on India
A
dvanced Construction Technologies
(ACT) is in the course of improving
safety and transforming the demolition
industry in India, with the support of Volvo
Construction Equipment machines. The
company, which is considered a pioneer in
the Indian demolition industry, is one of Volvo
CEs 13 dealers in the country.
ACTs managing director Mohan
Ramanathan, often called The Demolition
Man after decades in the industry, is trying
to introduce safer, more efcient ways of
working. The demolition industry in India is
around 15-years behind the western world,
he said. I am trying to convert people to
modern ways of working and raise awareness
of safer, more efcient and cost effective
methods compared to traditional, labour
intensive processes.
ACT has been the gateway for many
demolition technologies to enter India. In
2006 Mr Ramanathan introduced silent
demolition technology to the country by
using a hydraulic concrete crusher mounted
on a Volvo excavator. It is believed that this
was the rst time a crusher was used with an
excavator in Indias demolition industry. In
2008 Mr Ramanathan brought over the rst
Volvo ultra high reach excavator, marking
the introduction of this technology in Asia.
Slowly we are starting to move away from
manual demolition towards a much safer and
more efcient mechanical way of working.
However, Mr Ramanathan explained that
using excavators and attachments in Indian
demolition is still a relatively new concept
because there is not enough awareness of the
technology available. With the combination
of the redevelopment of walled cities, old
infrastructure waiting to be replaced and
plans for enhancing the use of land, there
is great potential in this market and so it
is vital that we are up to date with the latest
demolition techniques. Thats where Volvo
Construction Equipment comes in. The
machines are really starting to transform the
demolition industry now, but there are still
challenges to overcome.
ACT, which started as a family business
60 years ago, sells and rents Volvo machines
in Tamilnadu and Kerala, two southern states
in India. Mr Ramanathans eet of machines,
which consist of Volvo EC140, EC210,
EC240, EC360 and EC460 excavators with
both a 22 m and 26 m boom, are used with
demolition attachments such as hydraulic
breakers, crushers and shears. The machines
work on demolition jobsites across India and
are currently being used on a major project
in Ahmedabad, west India, where a large
power station is being demolished. The eet
is also hard at work dismantling structures
in Chennai, south India, to make space for
an underground Metro Rail project.
Before Mr Ramanathan introduces new
technology to the Indian demolition industry
When safety matters...
Right: Volvo EC240, EC460 and EC360
excavators with demolition attachments
work to demolish a terminal at Mumbai
International Airport.
Facing page: Volvo EC460 demolishes
abandoned structures in Ahmedabad.
Left: Mohan
Ramanathan,
managing
director of
ACT, is often
referred to The
Demolition Man
after decades in
the industry.
he makes sure it fulls certain requirements.
His philosophy states that it must be the
most economical and effective technology
available in the eld. Secondly it must be
the safest and the fastest. And nally it
should be the most modern method that
can easily be adapted to Indian conditions.
These requirements are what led me to
Volvo Construction Equipment machines.
Volvo has the best hydraulics and that is
extremely important because we are always
using hydraulic attachments. The machines
are built with increased safety and stability.
They are tough, reliable, fuel efcient and
environment-friendly. Volvo excavators are
so much more efcient, saving valuable fuel
and therefore money.
He continued, Demolition is a very
exciting and challenging area. The cause
of most accidents in this industry is the
use of inappropriate methods and a poor
understanding of the structure. But things
are starting to change. It is essential that
we modernise to increase safety, efciency
and environmental care with the help
of Volvo Construction Equipment we are
moving towards a better and safer way of
working in India. n
Enquiry: anne.bast@volvo.com
nov/dec 2011 89
n Focus on India
90 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on India
P
utzmeister has achieved a new record in long distance concrete
pumping in India with its stationary concrete pump type BSA
1409 D. Concrete was pumped as far as 1,100 m in a tunnel
- believed to be the longest distance achieved in the country so
far. The tunnel, measuring 3 km long with a diameter of 2.50 m, is
part of the Bhilangana III hydro power plant project with capacity
of 24 mW. The power plant is located in Ghuttu, Tehri Garhwal, in
the north Indian state of Uttarakhand.
The project was a great challenge. The entire concreting logistics
were developed in Ghuttu the last point that can be reached by
road at the Bhilangana River. Detailed planning, from a suitable
installation site for the pump to the laying of the pump line and
mounting the casing, was essential for ultimate success.
The concrete pump was set up against the pump direction for more
stability. From the hopper outlet the pump line continued initially
over two 90 deg elbow, which reduced the transfer of the pressure
Putzmeister breaks new record
in the line to the pump. The pump line was screwed to the concrete
bases using U-shaped supports. A shut-off valve in the delivery line
prevented the backward ow of concrete and water as the tunnel
pipe continued on diagonally and had a downward slope against the
concrete pump. A specially produced concrete block over the pump
line before the tunnel entry detected the force of the pump.
The tunnel concreting required a continuous pumping process
of 105 cu m of concrete of strength class C25 into the 1,100 m
distance. For the team, this meant concreting day and night, in
sections of 67 m long for the roof and sidewalls and 70 m for the
base. If the end of a casing section was reached, the base was then
concreted in reverse direction. The concrete was placed using an
elbow pipe. The thickness of the concrete layer was between 200
and 250 mm. The concrete mix was monitored constantly before and
during concreting. n
Enquiry: putzasia@singnet.com.sg
Putzmeister BSA 1409 D has pumped concrete as far as 1,100 m in a tunnel in India, claimed to be the longest distance achieved
in the country to date. The tunnel is part of the Bhilangana III hydro power plant project.
nov/dec 2011 91
n Focus on India
A shut-off valve prevented the backward fow of concrete and water from the pump line that had a downward slope.
Above: Placing of the concrete in the casings at the tunnel walls to support the roof.
Above right: The concreting team was working in the tunnel around the clock
Right: In the Pooja ceremony concrete pumps and equipment received divine blessings
for the demanding task ahead.
92 nov/dec 2011
n Focus on the Middle East
Unveiling
T
he new Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) in Doha
forms an integral part of Qatars National Vision 2030, which
aims to transform the country into one of the worlds most
powerful economies within two decades. A home for technology-
based companies from around the world and an incubator of start-up
enterprises, the project was initiated by the Qatar Foundation set
up by His Highness the Emir of Qatar and chaired by his wife Her
Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.
A key feature of the QSTP is its co-location with top international
universities at the Education City, a 1,000 ha campus of schools, colleges
and national facilities. These universities offer degrees identical to their
home campuses and are building world-class research programmes,
giving QSTP tenants the opportunity to undertake collaborative
research and recruit highly educated graduates.
The masterplan for the project encompasses 123 ha of land, which
is integrated with the facilities of the Qatar Foundation. Construction
of the Phase One comprised 115,000 sq m of development with
45,000 sq m of dedicated office and laboratory space. At its
heart is the 15,000 sq m Incubator Centre (IC) incorporating the
administrative hub and business centre. This building is anked by
the rst two tenant buildings (ITTCs), each 20,000 sq m.
Qatars new iconic landmark
The 15,000 sq m Incubator Centre consists of the administrative
hub and business centre.
nov/dec 2011 93
Qatars new iconic landmark
IC and ITTC buildings
The framing systems were driven by the vehicular / road arrangements
at ground level and the need to provide large exible spaces at tenancy
levels with minimum column intrusion.
The foundation design took account of the site conditions of loose
desert sands overlying limestone bedrock. Foundations were founded
on the limestone bedrock with desert sands recycled onsite for use
as bulk lling. Bituminous protection was specied for below ground
concrete works to account for the aggressive soil conditions.
Design for the podium incorporates signicant exibility including
extensive future penetration allowance; loading allowance for extension
of two-storey ITTC building across the podium; 400 mm hard or soft
landscaping, with an equivalent of 10 kPA loading capacity; and
21.6 m clear span concrete super T beams spanning over roadways
utilising standard bridge construction.
The functional requirements drove large clear spans in excess
of 21 m by 21 m in structural steel framing to the tenancy areas
with composite steel beams and concrete slabs on metal structural
formwork decking. Concrete stair and services cores contributed to
the lateral stability.
The roof and facade structure is supported on the main oors, and
column grid - all of which are framed in structural steel to facilitate
rapid construction. Interstitial oors are designed for notional plant
loads with heavier plant installations involving either spreaders or
beams spanning between trusses to support. All roof areas considered
100 mm sand loading. Robustness statutory requirements were
implemented with additional redundancy incorporated to critical
structural elements. Wind tunnel testing was also used to accurately
determine wind pressures.
Highlight of the Qatar Science and Technology Park is an
Incubator Centre fanked by the frst two tenant buildings.
Distinctive design
Aurecon undertook the structural, civil, facade, security, and re life
safety design for the QSTP and worked closely with the architect,
Woods Bagot, to ensure the successful realisation of the project. The
Qatari model adopted for project is unique, focusing on features that
are not seen in other international development, including the ability
to create a place where pedestrians are more important than cars and
build a safe place to work, interact and develop collaborations.
Woods Bagots design of the building is striking and contemporary,
whilst respectful of the Qatari culture and adapted for the desert
climate. It separates motor vehicles from pedestrians and the podium
provides a pedestrian-only landscaped environment under the veil
shade structure that links the buildings. People can move freely
between the activity hubs in the tenant building atrium spaces and
the ICs retail outlets and service facilities.
The interior of the Incubator Centre.
94 nov/dec 2011
Veil challenge
The veil structure is a distinctive architectural element, featuring
the sinusoidal wave form contributing to the recognition of the QSTP
building in the Qatar landscape. The continuous owing prole of the
veil provided sufcient challenges in designing standardised 1,800 x 900
triangular-modules that t within the main structure to provide the effect
of continuity, whilst maintaining a uniform thickness throughout.
The solution was for an innovative unitised, factory assembled
doubly clad modules that could be lifted directly onto the steel
structure and xed into the required positions using a minimal
number of three-way adjustable bracket system. In this way, there
was no requirement to use scaffolds or to provide for overhead xing
of the soft panels, resulting in signicant time-saving.
These unique brackets also allowed for differential movements
between panels and accommodated movements due to structure and
temperature effects. Veil elements at the buildings expansion joints
were provided with four-way movement elastomeric joints (up-down,
in-out, along plane and rotational between planes).
The veil screens were based on a unitised system, allowing
for uniform and high quality of manufacture, assembly and site
installation. These modules are based on 1800W x 900 triangular-
elements, similar to the main veil.
The design of tapered cladding to the uniform-sized columns
required consideration of ease of fabrication and installation to
ensure minimal misalignment of adjoining panels. Maximising
commercially available cladding material and minimising waste
was achieved. Off cuts were specied for use in the secondary
framing and stiffening of the panels.
Aurecons response to latent site conditions including a large
sink hole was timely and innovative. Aurecon specied for the
70 m by 50 m by 12 m deep hole to be backlled with cyclopean
concrete, a blend of large 400 mm boulders and lean mix concrete.
This resulted in 80 percent less concrete by volume whilst achieving
the required bearing capacity.
Top: View below veil looking towards the Education City.
Above: The continuous fowing profle of the veil
provided suffcient challenges in designing standardised
1,800 x 900 triangular-modules that ft within the
main structure to provide the effect of continuity, whilst
maintaining a uniform thickness throughout.
nov/dec 2011 95
Complicated facades
Apart from the veil, the QSTP facades include
the glazed walls, metal-clad columns, metal-
clad beam trusses and trafcable overhead
glass ceilings. The engineering loads for
the facade elements were based on a scaled
model wind tunnel testing. Many of these
facade elements have complicated geometry,
so the designs were modelled on fully
unitised construction where possible. This
provided for high quality manufacturing,
assembly and installation.
Facades wer e engi neer ed wi t h
consideration to the limitations of size of
commercially available cladding materials
and glass, effects on transportation, lifting
and installation capacities of cranes on site.
Attention in the jointing and connections
of the facade elements to accommodate
movements due to structural and temperature
effects required interaction between the
structural and facade engineers and architects
from the very early stage of the project.
Aurecons design of the xing of the facade
elements to the structure aimed to maximise
the benets of unitised construction whilst
providing the required ease of access, both
during construction and for maintenance
replacement when necessary. The number
of xings to the structure was engineered to
a minimum, reducing site installation time
and both material and labour costs, including
supervision monitoring.
The facade elements and the specied
materials for the support framing were detailed
to minimise dissimilar metal interaction.
Speedy construction
To achieve rapid construction and adhere
to the tight schedule, the project was built
within the following key principles: speed of
construction, simplicity of construction, ease
of future expansion, structural efciency,
mix of materials and local capability.
Concrete columns were used in the
car park for resistance to aggressive soils,
durability and the need to be able to start on
site quickly with well-known local materials
and processes (concrete, formwork) and
re resistance. The choice of a concrete
podium slab also allowed rapid mobilisation
using well-known local materials and
processes, re resistance and durability in
supporting landscaping. Aurecons design
relied heavily upon keeping the podium a
regular slab/beam prole to facilitate the
opportunity for standardisation of formwork
and reinforcing systems.
Above: Veil detail.
Top right, middle, and right:
To speed up construction,
Aurecon developed three
packages of work to facilitate
a staged approach to contactor
engagement and materials
procurement.
96 nov/dec 2011
Aurecon opted for a steel-framed
superstructure with slab cast on profiled
metal decking to capitalise on the speed
of construction possible with this material,
having allowed sufcient lead time to procure,
shop draw and fabricate the elements.
In addition, Aurecon developed three
packages of work to facilitate a staged approach
to contactor engagement and materials
procurement. This was aimed at assisting in
minimising problems encountered through
long lead times, etc. The packages comprised
Bid Package 1 (concrete foundations, concrete
podium columns, concrete podium banded
slab, initial works for landscaping structures,
base of core walls and bridge area); Bid
Package 2 (bulk structural steelwork for IC
and ITTC buildings); and Bid Package 3
(carpark earthworks and slab, remainder of
core walls, masonry walls, structural formwork
and slabs to IC and ITTC, veil structure,
additional landscaping structures, facades
and all other remaining elements).
The Bid Package 1 was designed as a
self-sufcient package of work, whilst the
Bid Package 2 steelworker was novated
under the Bid Package 3 head contractor.
Environment-friendly building
Shading was used extensively to improve
ambient conditions. External podium areas
provide a sustainable landscape setting with
concentrations of green scapes contrasted by
more sculptured arid element areas. Recycled
materials were also used where possible to
reduce reliance on new materials.Flyash as
a replacement for cementitious material was
specied in the concrete for all elements. In
PROJECT TEAM
Owner: Qatar Foundation
Architect: Woods Bagot
Structural, civil, facade, security and fre life safety engineers: Aurecon
Services Engineer: Hyder
Project Manager: KEO
Cost Consultant: Davis Langdon
addition, materials that can be 100 percent
recycled at the end of life were used wherever
possible. The design is structurally efcient
minimising material use.
The QR800 million project was opened
in mid 2008. ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil,
Shell and Total are establishing research
and training centres that add value to Qatars
hydrocarbons sector; local software company
iHorizons joins Microsoft and Cisco in
developing new IT applications; EADS and GE
are at the forefront of industrial technologies;
SMARD is Qatars rst bio medical research
company; and Gartner Lee is specialising in
environmental management. n
Top: Aurecons design of QSTP
is structurally effcient minimising
material use.
Above and below left: The
development was opened in mid
2008 and has attracted many
major international companies.
All images Woods Bagot and Aurecon
nov/dec 2011 97
Aurecon and Woods Bagot have also previously
worked together to build the College of the
North Atlantic in Doha, which was aimed to
address a technical skills shortage in the city.
The facility includes a total of 26 buildings
comprising libraries, auditoriums, laboratories,
workshops, computer labs, classrooms and
other teaching related facilities.
Woods Bagot was the design architect of
the project while Aurecon was responsible
for the delivery of all engineering services
including mechanical, electrical, plumbing,
re, structural and civil engineering. Work
on the project started in 2001 and was
completed in 2006.
A key desi gn f eat ur e i ncl uded
creating a plan layout of the buildings and
interconnecting walkways, which created a
representation of the historic wadi (creek)
system in the area. This required the design
of various structures that wrapped over the
buildings to maintain the wadi alignment
in plan view. These wraps were major
concrete structures, which spanned over
the rectilinear buildings at an oblique angle,
creating a twisting effect when viewed from
the ground.
College of the North Atlantic
Among the main challenges during
construction was to create a large number
of precast concrete panels from only four
moulds. These moulds were arranged in
such a way that they could form a variety
of facades shapes, which were then used
for shading. Aurecon has also developed
a reinforced concrete wafe pod for the
oor system that was used throughout all
buildings, which kept the selfweight of
the floor to a minimum and maximised
repletion of formwork (on a 9 x 9 m grid),
but allowed the exibility to utilise the
space for many different uses. One of the
key considerations here was to provide
sufcient oor stiffness to accommodate the
large quantity of masonry partitions.
In addition, Aurecon had to provide
interconnectivity between the buildings
via long span pedestrian bridges, all of
which had to accommodate thermal and
differential movements through a variety
of movement joints. n
All images Woods Bagot and Aurecon
98 nov/dec 2011
Potain rising
above Riyadh
M
anitowocs cranes continue to play a major role at large
construction developments in Saudi Arabia, including
90 Potain cranes on the US$10 billion King Abdullah
Financial District in Riyadh. This massive 1,600 sq km development
will reportedly include 40 skyscrapers and aims to redene Saudi
Arabias capital as a global centre for nance.
The timeline for construction on the nancial district is very
tight, so the main contractors are using as many cranes as possible.
Each skyscraper has up to six cranes, and the smaller buildings
have three to four cranes. The cranes are working 20 hours a day,
six days a week, to ensure the ambitious three-and-a-half year
The Potain cranes on the KAFD project are lifting steel, wood,
concrete blocks, shuttering and other materials.
project stays on schedule. NFT, the regional Potain dealer for
Saudi Arabia, placed all the Potain cranes on KAFD. The company
has 550 employees in four ofces throughout the Middle East. Its
central ofce is located in the UAE, but it also has branches in
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
With deadlines critical to the projects success, making sure the
cranes stay operational is essential. NFT has a team of engineers
working at the site, and they are supported by local Manitowoc Crane
Care. Main contractors on KAFD include Saudi Binladin Group,
Saudi Oger Ltd, SaudiCo and El Seif Engineering. Work began in
November 2008 and is expected to be completed at the end of this
nov/dec 2011 99
year. The cranes arrived in stages and the rst 20 arrived in February
2009. The second and third instalments, each of 35 cranes, followed
in late 2009 and then June 2010. Saudi Binladin Group purchased
the majority of these cranes.
The crane models span almost the entire top-slewing range from
Potain. They include cranes from the MD, MDT, MR and MC ranges.
There are 28 of the 7 t MR 225 A cranes and 21 of the 10 t MD 208
A cranes on the project the two most popular models. Other cranes
include the Potain MD 345, MR 295, MC 175, MC 205 B and MC
310 K12. Many will eventually reach heights of 200 m and nearly
all are working with their maximum jib. The cranes are lifting steel,
wood, concrete blocks, shuttering and other materials. Most loads
weigh between 2 t and 3 t although the largest weigh up to 6 t.
The nancial district will host a large nancial community,
including the headquarters of the Capital Market Authority and
the Tadawul Stock Exchange. It will also house numerous regional
ofces for banks and nancial authorities and will create an estimated
50,000 jobs. The King Abdullah Financial Academy will be part of
the development as well, which will offer education and training to
nancial professionals. In addition, there will be six mosques, one
Grand Mosque and housing for 8,000 people. n
Enquiry: punitha.govindasamy@manitowoc.com
Each skyscraper has up to six cranes, and the smaller buildings have three to four
cranes. The cranes are working 20 hours a day, six days a week, to ensure the
ambitious three-and-a-half year project stays on schedule.
100 nov/dec 2011
D
oka is underlining its strong market position in the high-rise
sector with a slew of exceptional new projects that are all
destined to join the list of the worlds tallest buildings. Among
them is the Lamar Towers in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.
The 70-storey cores of these 300 m high twin towers are being built
using 108 high-performing Automatic climbers SKE50 and 1,800
sq m of Large-area formwork Top 50. This equipment was chosen
to make up for lost time caused by a change of both contractor and
formwork supplier.
for supertowers
In order to get the project up and running again as quickly as
possible, the new contractor, Al Joudah Contracting, decided to have
the whole system wall formwork elements and four platform levels,
pre-assembled by the Doka Ready-to-Use Service at the Jeddah Branch.
On this previously commenced tower project, the main difculty lied
in assembling the system and putting it into use for the rst time. The
towers were begun by another construction company using a slipform.
This means that it is now necessary to safely mount the platforms and
the formwork, and anchor them to the existing concrete at a height
Doka formwork solutions
A total of 108 high-performing Automatic climbers SKE50 and 1,800 sq m
of Large-area formwork Top 50 are making up for the time lost on the Lamar
Towers project by a previous change of contractor.
nov/dec 2011 101
of around 25 m. For this, Dokas expertise in
shifting large, professionally pre-assembled
platform assemblages and elements has
already proved highly advantageous. Doka is
also supplying the formwork for the oor-slabs,
and the protection-screen system Xclimb 60 to
safeguard all slab-forming operations.
Another high-rise project Doka involved
in is the 400 m high CMA Tower, claimed
to be the tallest building at the King
Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. It is
characterised by its colossal nonagonal (nine-
sided) structure core, measuring over 40 m in
the diagonal. Over 10,000 cu m of concrete
went into the pouring of its foundations alone.
Completing the massive CIP concrete core to
be built on these foundations will take 100
casting sections and two years of construction
work. According to Doka, this is the most
voluminous enclosed shaft core that it has
ever formed. The gigantic dimensions of
the building remain unchanged all the way
from bottom to top, making even just the
shaft core of the CMA Tower the same sort
of size as a whole conventional skyscraper.
Around 3,000 sq m of timber-beam formwork
and 105 Automatic climbers SKE100 are in
use here. n
Enquiry: stefan.pruckmayr@doka.com
Over 10,000 cu m of concrete went into the pouring of the CMA Towers nonagonal
foundation alone.
An artists
impression
of the Lamar
Towers (left),
and CMA
Tower.
102 nov/dec 2011
n URA Architectural Heritage Awards 2011
THE FULLERTON HERITAGE:
CLIFFORD PIER & CUSTOMS HOUSE
Built in 1933 and the late 1960s respectively, the single-storey
Clifford Pier Building and the two-storey Customs House, formerly
the Customs Harbour Branch building, once facilitated the arrival
of leisure seekers and traders to and from Singapore. Today, the two
unique and historical buildings have been expertly refurbished into
stylish Food & Beverage establishments.
The majesty of the voluminous Clifford Pier has been preserved
with respect and expert precision. Two of its star architectural treasures
kick off a list of many that have been earnestly brought back to life
the signature concrete arched trusses in rib band form and its
magnicent multi-hued, stained glass fanlight. Unique elements, such
as the brackets supporting the roof with their original Shanghai plaster
nish and the authentic antiquated artefacts, including the cast iron red
lamps and commemorative plaques, have been salvaged. To update the
building for air-conditioning, glass panels were introduced behind the
building facade, and service trays neatly suspended along the aisles
so as not to camouage the cherished textures of the past.
The restoration of the Customs House provided the added challenge
of connecting the building to the rest of the waterfront development.
Its watch tower, centrally located at its waterfront facade, was cleaned
up, restored and repainted to preserve its maritime heritage. Even its
distinctive concrete buttery facade at its two longitudinal elevations
was carefully restored. New modern shopfronts were sensitively added
to its rst storey such that they blend harmoniously with the former
utilitarian building. Of notable mention was the voluntary retention and
restoration of the buildings denitive umbrella-like pavilion.
The buildings previous functional ofce layout was recongured
and reinvented into hip dining establishments. The new third storey
roof space was a creative solution to house the mechanical and
electrical equipment without detracting from its architecture. Vertical
green planter strips were introduced to soften the appearance of the
building and act as a transition between the old and the new. A feature
wall was created at the other end of the building to relieve the rather
plain facade housing the new substation for the development.
Nestled between the two historical buildings is the new six-storey
The Fullerton Bay Hotel. Connected to the Clifford Pier building by
a covered link way, it was conceived with side facades of glass to
reect and suggest a subtle link between its two conserved neighbours
at either side. Horizontal lines on its feature walls are an attempt to
echo the rustic facade of the Clifford Pier Building. n
View of Customs House and pavilion.
Clifford Pier has been restored to F & B establishment.
Clifford Pier during refurbishment.
Image DP Architects Pte Ltd
Owner: Sino Land Company Limited
Architect: DP Architects Pte Ltd
Engineer: Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SEA) Pte Ltd
Contractor: Kim Seng Heng engineering Construction (Pte) Ltd
Night aerial view of the integrated old and new development.
nov/dec 2011 103
2 CABLE ROAD
Owner: Mr Ong Kok Thai
Architect: RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd
Engineer: E3 Consulting Engineers
Contractor: Huat Builders Pte Ltd
Built in 1913 by a former government
architect, David McLeod Craik for the
Municipal Commissioner, Mohamed
Namazie, this two-storey grand old Black-
and-White bungalow has been restored and
given a new pair of wings. The placement of
the symmetrical new extensions and a linear
lap pool at its front demonstrates a novel
approach to integrating the old and new.
The original bungalow has been renovated
and enhanced to meet its owners brief for
additional living spaces for his grown-up
children. Much of the original ttings and
features of the house have been retained
and repaired where possible. Components
that were in advanced state of disrepair,
such as the original doors and windows,
were removed and replaced. The patterned
oor tiles, which cover much of the ground
level living spaces, were cleaned and kept.
Existing timber balustrades of the main
staircase and ornamental timber lattices in the interior of the house
were also meticulously reinstated along with the original columns
at the entrance foyer of the bungalow.
Among the prized architectural features of the house is its original
lantern roof, the timber structures of which have been left exposed to
dramatic effect. Providing a constant visual reminder that one is within
a heritage house, the accentuation also shows off the grand height of
the bungalow as it allows natural air and light in. The verandah above
the square front porch of the house has also been revitalised into a
beautiful feature sunroom that extends from the master bedroom. Both
the entrance porch and the verandah, which were previously open-
air, have been enclosed by frameless glass to cater to the owners
preference for air-conditioned spaces.
As the bungalow was sited on an odd-shaped piece of land, the
nal layout of the new against the old was not an easy decision.
Having the symmetrical, new wings anking the linear pool in front
of the bungalow was bold and unconventional. Keeping them to a
single-storey each has ensured that the new additions do not obscure
the front facade of the main house. The look of the new is intentionally
kept modern, abstract and simple so as not to distract from the old.
The materials used, such as grey granite and white marble, plaster
and paint, complement the restored bungalow well. n
Image RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd
Image RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd
104 nov/dec 2011
This four-storey 1920s Art Deco style building in the Little India
Conservation Area was once the Hong Wen School. Today, it has
been rebuilt as Wanderlust Hotel with 29 rooms.
The triumph of this project lies in the way the project team had
given the revitalised old building a new sense of place within the
eclectic urban montage of Little India. Most of the architectural
elements on the external envelope, such as the intricately painted
ceramic tiles on its front facade and the classic stained glass windows at
the upper storeys, have been restored. Keeping the propertys original
structural grid intact, the project team reworked the old school layout
by creating various room types and sizes on each oor. Each oor
was designed by different interior decorators, each with contrasting
themes, furnishings and colours. No two rooms are the same. A new
roof deck garden with a jacuzzi and restaurant were incorporated.
The functional elements of a modern-day hotel have also been
creatively subsumed into the nal development. One of these is
the new lift core, which was added to the original and revitalised
airwell to provide easy accessibility to the rooms above. To create a
statement, the brickwork of one of the walls around the airwell was
exposed and landscaping introduced within it.
Extensive micro piling was required to reinforce the structure for
its new purpose. The retention of the airwell preserves an important
element of the buildings past while serving the original purpose of
bringing natural daylight into the heart of the hotel. In addition, with
the clearing away of the unsightly air-conditioning units at the rear
of the building, a new uber chic rooftop sundeck has been created,
tucked behind the authentic envelope of the building. n
2 DICKSON ROAD
Owner: K.M.C. Holdings Pte Ltd
Engineer: S B Ng & Associates C E
Contractor: Shanghai Chong Kee Furniture & Construction Pte Ltd
9-19 KRETA AYER ROAD
Owner: Hanru Investments Pte Ltd
Architect: Liu & Wo Architects Pte Ltd
Engineer: KH Consultants
Contractor: Soon Soon Lee Construction Pte Ltd
Constructed between 1840 and 1900, the six units of narrow two-
storey transitional style shophouses in the Chinatown Historic District
of Bukit Pasoh, have been converted into one modern, open-plan
corporate ofce space. Before approaching the challenge of adapting
the old space for a new use, the project team used the Top-Down
approach in the restoration process. Exercising maximum retention,
sensitive restoration and careful repair, the team carefully reinstated
the key elements of the buildings traditional exterior. The original
moulded capitals, pillars and the granite thresholds on their facades
and ve-footways were restored as were the precast vents at the front
and rear of the shophouses. Additional ground beams and footings
were introduced to take care of the new loading and to ensure the
integrity of the party walls.
To achieve the single volume of space, the party walls were opened
up to the allowable maximum of 50 percent. On each level, great care
was taken to ensure that the new space still echoed the shophouse
character and proportions. The double layer oors concealed the
mechanical and electrical conduits and ensure sound insulation by
absorbing the footfall of busy executives above.
To minimise the sloping site, steps were neatly introduced at
passageways with workstations ingeniously placed to camouage
the level differences. The remens requirements were fullled by
installing the re rated roller shutters such that they blend in with
the party walls, thus minimising their bulk. Besides reinstating the
pintu pagars of original design on all the shophouses, the iron security
bars were also retained.
The team is commended for the many ways of introducing
natural lighting into the interior spaces. These spaces originally
stied by dark corners and dim corridors have been illuminated by
new skylights between the passageways, vertical slot openings in
the restrooms, new jack roofs at every unit and the generous French
window openings that wrap around the lush roof deck gardens at the
open-to-sky second storey terraces. n
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128
106 nov/dec 2011
11 CANNING WALK
Owner: Hotel Fort Canning
Engineer: Chan Han Chong Consulting Engineers
Contractor: Incorporated Builders Pte Ltd
Acquired in a state of disrepair, this three-storey Neo-Classical
style building, circa 1926, had been smothered by excessive layers
of old cladding. Through a massive yet respectful restoration effort,
this former military command centre has been restored as a heritage
hotel within an existing recreational club atop the historic Fort
Canning Hill. One of the most impressive works is the patient and
careful removal of the buildings previous decorative trespasses.
The project team was able to recover and reinstate much of the
propertys original elements while adhering to the 3R principles
and Top-Down approach. Among the highlights was the previously
sealed porte cochere - this archetypal element was restored as the
hotels grand entrance. The predominant and repetitive wooden ties
motif on the verandah railings that surround the building have also
been reinstated, further preserving the buildings colonial identity.
Repairs were carried out without altering or affecting the original
structural and wall systems.
Another highlight is its distinctive grand stair core. Made
of concrete and wood, it is supported by slender columns that
terminate in a crown of trusses. Another point of historic interest is
the collection of four glass-encased archaeological pits embedded
in the lobby area. A showcase of ancient artefacts in their natural
state, it is a creative idea that gives an instant visual reminder of the
area and the buildings glorious past.
The planning of the guest rooms was masterfully done considering
the original building was designed as utilitarian army barracks. The
project team not only carved out generously spacious rooms but
also living spaces of various types to cater to the different lifestyle
preferences of discerning guests. The painstaking recreation of the
original timber conservation doors separating the bedroom and the
verandah in the premium suites is lauded. n
128G CAIRNHILL ROAD
Owner: Richard Ireland
Architect: RichardHO Architects
Engineer: J S Tan & Associates
Contractor: THL Building Construction Pte Ltd
This project is an eloquent display of how a pre-war terrace house
can be reinvented as a contemporary family home that is functional,
stylish and true to its origins. While the party walls and the facade
were retained and restored, a large part of the buildings interior had
to be reconstructed to accommodate the increase in loading. Despite
the introduction of new load-bearing structural beams and columns,
careful design has rendered them inconspicuous.
Within the home, the creative layering of spaces serves to
highlight key elements such as the party walls and the airwell,
which are important to the terrace house typology. The previously
disharmonious ground oor space has been carefully recongured
into a seamless living-dining-kitchen volume in keeping with the
spatial quality of houses of its era.
At the heart of the house, the central courtyard has been
rejuvenated into a naturally illuminated sanctuary with a koi pond
and water feature. A modern retractable skylight does the double
duty of keeping the rain out on wet days, and reecting the heat on
warmer days. They keep the interior spaces cool and reduce the need
for air-conditioning and articial lighting. The upper oor plan has
also been recongured with the choice of glass balustrades for the
staircase, adding to the openness and connectivity.
The new extension has well constructed interact smoothly with
the old on every oor. Authentic elements, such as the exposed timber
structure of the oors and roof, subtly echo the houses architectural
legacy, as do the original oor tiles on the second storey balcony.
Enlargement of the houses rst storey casement windows into doors
serve to bring even more light into the home with skillful subtlety. n
Tel: (65) 6842 2580 Fax: (65) 6842 2581 / 6745 9517
E-mail : info@tradelinkmedia.com.sg
Home page annoucements for added business opportunities.
Register now, contact:
TRADE CONNECTlON
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Website: http://www.icefe.com/ Email: icefepl@icefe.sg
Tel: (65) 6861 3733 Fax: (65) 6861 3043
108 nov/dec 2011

19 LORONG 24A GEYLANG
Owner: Regality Holdings Pte Ltd
Architect: HYLA Architects
Engineer: EDP Consultants
Contractor: M & R Building Maintenance Services
Much of the ornate features found on the facade of this two-storey
Chinese Baroque-style shophouse has been sensitively repaired and
restored. Existing fanlights, windows, doors and vents including the
charming stained glass and French windows, and the ornamental
openings in the party walls were retained. Most of the rst level oors
and walls as well as the second level walls and timber oorboards,
which had been certied to be in good structural condition, were
conscientiously retained.
In adding the two-storey rear extension, the central airwell has
become the new centre of the home, bathing internal spaces with
much-needed natural light. The second storey plan, which includes
the new rear wing, now accommodates three bedrooms, each of which
has been cleverly engineered to receive natural light and ventilation
from at least one elevation. A new roof mezzanine, which overlooks
the master suite and one other bedroom, was added to capitalise
on the generous second storey oor-to-ceiling height of the old
shophouse. A jack roof was introduced to provide another source of
natural illumination for the upper storey of the house.
While the old has been given a new lease of life, the house has
received a bold update with elements that tell of its past, but in a new
language. The quirky skylight under the attic jack roof lters light
down into the homes new stairway. Relocated and reconstructed, the
original stairway has been replaced by a modish spiral version that
is encased in a see-through weaving of steel bars.
Another bold introduction comes where the original second
storey bathroom used to be. In its place, two bathrooms have been
created anked by a hallway that connects the front of the house to
its new extension. The walls of the bathrooms have been made with
the same spiral staircase cladding. A bulge in the wall overlooking
the airwell adds a refreshingly modern sense of humour to this
restored property. n
ADVERTISERS INDEX
nov/dec 2011 108
ABC EXPO 2012 81
ACREX INDIA 2012 85
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AMMANN 13
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CONBUILD VIETNAM 2011 2
CONSTECH 2012 6
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GOLDHOFER 55
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TRADE CONNECTION 107
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WORLD OF ASPHALT 2012 65
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