What lies beneath Hurstmere Park

Preserving mature trees while undertaking significant structural works was one of a number of challenges for the civil and structural engineers working on the Hurstmere Green project.

Jawa Structures was contracted to provide structural and civil engineering design advice, documentation and construction phase services to the project, working closely with Sills van Bohemen Architects and Kalmar Construction.

Director Rob Walsham says the landscape incorporated a number of significant trees with roots that needed to be protected with new planter walls, bridging and discrete piling to support the large number of structural elements.

"The ground itself was a mixture of soft fill and firm sub grade, so careful foundation design involving both piling and undercutting was needed to avoid differential settlements below the precast elements," he says. "In addition, a number of underground services traversed the site and the project interfaced with existing buildings on three sides, which needed protection."

The geometric set-out of the site was undertaken using Civil 3D software licensed to Jawa.

"Using the topographic survey of the site as a background, we were able to model the proposed surfaces and underground drainage and structures in three dimensions," Walsham says. "This enabled the project to be reviewed and quickly modified as required by the consultant team. It also allowed us to send the setting-out information directly to the contractor by electronic transfer."

For more information, contact Jawa Structures, 8 Melrose St, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, phone Rob Walsham (09) 520 7740, mob 027 245 8171. Email: rob@jawa.co.nz. Website: www.jawa.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas