The project, known as the Bondi Community Project, called for the redevelopment of a 4,000m2 site originally occupied by tennis courts and clubrooms. The works comprised the demolition of the existing structures; and construction of a place of worship and two residential apartment buildings, overlying a communal two-level basement. The development also includes diversion of an existing combined stormwater-sewer system.
Prior to the commencement of construction, EI Australia was initially engaged to undertake a Geotechnical Investigation (GI), together with a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) and Hazardous Materials Survey (HMS). Following the successful delivery of a structural design and documentation package on another PBS Builders (NSW) project, EI Australia was engaged as Structural Engineers for the Bondi Community Project.
A key part of this project was to review initial concept designs and, prior to commencement of the structural design package, identify areas in which design improvements, and ultimately construction cost savings could be made.
The initial design called for a Secant pile design. However a review of the soil and ground conditions (obtained from our geotechnical team’s investigation) identified that a cantilevered sheet piling solution would be better suited for the project. Similarly, the original design called for a pile footing solution. On review, the design was amended to incorporate a screw pile and pad footing solution. Along with a number of other design changes, we were able to provide the client with not only material and construction cost savings, but equally importantly, a shorter construction program.
There were several elements of the project that proved to be challenging structural concepts including;
The temporary sheet piling system with permanent perimeter basement retaining walls;
- The place of worship Level 2 Post Tension beams spanning 16m across the assembly hall;
- The place of worship Level 3 Radial Cantilever beams to support the tiered seating for the Sanctuary Space; and
- The place of worship Roof ring beam with radial beam system to support the radial clerestory glazing and roof dome structure above.
However our design team were able to successfully design and execute the most efficient and cost effective solution, ultimately saving the client up to $1 million across the project.
The EI Australia structural design team Autodesk Revit, CAD, Navisworks, Rapt, RC Buildings and RAM Concept technologies in the execution of this project.
