We provided structural and geotechnical services throughout this project, from masterplanning and concept design, through to detailed design and construction monitoring.
We designed the two-storey steel-framed building following the Ministry of Education’s latest guidelines including Structural and Geotechnical Requirements (2020) and Seismic Design Approach taking account of Anticipated Seismicity Changes (2022). The objective of this design methodology is to deliver a resilient school building, capable of remaining operational after a moderate earthquake whilst minimising repair costs.
This methodology utilises the seismic accelerations from the 2022 National Seismic Hazard Model which has not yet been incorporated into the Building Code. The methodology limits drifts under serviceability loads whilst remaining nominally ductile and then checks that sufficient ductility and strength is available for ultimate loads and beyond, essentially reversing the traditional design approach.
Another innovatinve feature of the classroom block was the use of Schock thermal break units on primary structural steel members between the interior and exterior to minimise the heat loss through the structure; this was particularly important as both ground and first floors features in-floor heating.
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