Collaboration and Innovation in a

Post-Tensioned Waffle Slab.

Neeta City Shopping Centre

Shaun Sullivan

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Introduction

Collaborative Effort between

Contractor, Consultant & Specialist
Contractor

A Solution to your Weighty Problem

A Post Tensioned Waffle Slab

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Project Overview
Extension and refurbishment of the Neeta City Shopping Center,
Fairfield
Existing 1st Floor car-park converted to a new Big W Store.
Approx 5800m2
New Floor 300 to 400mm above the existing car-park floor.
Floor Live Load increased from 3kPa to 5KPa / 10kPa

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Project Constraints
Operating Woolworths supermarket in floor below +
carpark over
No space beneath could be used for construction
No significant construction noise during business hours.
Weight of new floor less than slab capacity.
Relatively long spans & falls in carpark

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 External Upstand
Remained

Kerbs & Planter

Upstand Removed

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Existing Risers

Stormwater pipes
through slab

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Conforming RC Scheme
New waffle slab composite with existing PT floor
Dowels @ 250cts
Reinf. Mat typ +
& scabbling
extra bars at
existing concrete
columns

Locate existing tendons

Styrene void formers

Ribs @ 1600max cts

Existing Tendons

PLAN
Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd
 Construction Noise
Approx 30,000 Dowels & 8000m of 200wide scabbling

Scabbling and drilling outside business hours. Costly and timely!

Night Day Night

Local Woolworths Trading Local

Residents Hours Residents

Limited time to perform noisy work!

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Alternative PT Scheme
Post-tensioned waffle slab

Isolated from the existing floor surface.

Connection to Existing Columns by Dowels

Temporary IJ to existing columns to allow movement.

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Typical Scheme Details
200 wide ribs @ 1500 cts
Joint locations reflect existing slab
90mm thick RC slab between ribs
Pour strips for stressing access
Bond breaker to existing slab

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd
Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd
Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd
 Core Connections
Bars epoxied into core

Sleeved for movement

10mm isolation to
existing slab

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Why Isolate?
Typical Slab Columns deflect to accommodate PT force

As slab is poured directly on existing, columns cannot deflect - post-

tensioned force lost

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Column Connections
Column Reinf. Located

Oversized holes cores

Tapered isolation gap

(preformed metal mesh)

Grouted at 56 days

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

Column Connections

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Back of House Hanging Load
Wider ribs (extra DL) required
in 10KPa area
Carpark
Unable to prop from below
Load hung from carpark slab
over
New Slab
Reidbar threaded
reinforcement & plates Existing Slab

Woolworths

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

Back of House Hanging Load

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Hanging Support
Very long span in 10Kpa area
Unable to span with available
depth
Room underneath slab not
available
Blade column introduced

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

Curved Beam
Irregular column grid
Extra concrete and DL
required to span
Composite section used
similar to RC scheme

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd

 Summary
PT solution eliminated significant amount of
construction noise.
Minimal disturbances to existing tenancies
Savings in construction time.
Challenges solved through collaboration of
interested parties

Thankyou

Structural Systems (Northern) Pty Ltd