Client: The University of Newcastle
Client Project Manager: Loyalty Management Solutions
Delivery Model: Design & Construction
Location: Callaghan, NSW
Duration: 30 weeks
Project Size: 3,000m2
SHAPE was engaged through a Design and Construct contract to conduct 3,000m2 of carbon fibre and structural steel slab strengthening at the University of Newcastle‘s HERB (Heath Education and Research Building) – Callaghan Campus. The aim was to repurpose an existing carpark to allow it to be transformed into a teaching space for the University.
SHAPE was engaged in the Phase 1 Early Works package of the University’s overall project to design a fire-proof, carbon fibre laminate, wrap and steel plate strengthening system installed to an existing suspended concrete slab to enable the following Phase 2 fitout works to take place. This was achieved with our contractor Slabtec, who designed a system to suit the engineers design brief.
The works on site consisted of: Install of carbon fibre wrap, laminate, structural steel plates, shear anchors and thunderbolts, disconnection and relocation of existing soffit mounted services, demolition & relocation of store room facilities, multiple cranage operations to remove existing handrails and planter boxes, and to deliver structural steel elements, preparation of the existing slab via shot blasting, scanning of the entire slab area, and fire proofing across 2 levels to all installed structural steel elements.
Due to the sensitivity of the live environment on a University campus, the majority of works were conducted outside of University operational hours with the site team arranging for concurrent day shift and night shift works to take place, allowing for a continual works programme, including 20hour/day site operational periods.
Alongside the wider consultant team including certifiers, structural engineers, quantity surveyors, external project management team as well as the universities own in-house services engineering team and project managers, it was critical for SHAPE to manage all parties cohesively and proactively to ensure project success. Positive feedback received from the client post project completion shows that this was achieved.
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