Deakin University Carpark

The Deakin University Carpark structural steel package was a 500 tonne project awarded to Page Steel. Page Steel called on expertise gained on our previous multi-storey carpark projects to develop and adopt fabrication methods to aid in meeting the proposed tight project schedule.

Believing that the use of steel on the project, rather than concrete, would achieve an earlier completion date for the University, the builder incorporated the help of BHP to aid in the design of the structure. Given the very tight project timetable, it was found that steel offered the inherent benefits of off-site fabrication and speed of construction. Work commenced on the design of the project in early August 1997 and the project was handed over to Deakin University for the use of students in the last week of February 1998.

Tender
The steel package for the project consisted of shop detailing, supply, fabrication, erection, laying the steel profiled sheeting, shear stud welding and the facade supply and installation. The tenderers were assessed on price and quality of their work. During the tendering process, a visit was made to each of the tenderers to determine their compliance with the requirements of the welding code, AS/NZS 1554.1. In particular, evidence was sought on the use of qualified welding procedures and the qualification of the welding supervisors. The tender assessment team then visited and reviewed the fabrication shop of the preferred tenderer, Page Steel. After this assessment Page Steel was awarded the contract based on our ability to meet the high quality expectations while also providing value for money.

Steel Supply
The steel was supplied by BHP through a steel distributor to Page Steel Fabrications. As the secondary beams were 10.7m long and the wastage was considered too great from 12m standard lengths, they were ordered to length from BHP through the steel distributor. The other beams and columns were economically cut from standard lengths.

Fabrication
Page Steel Fabrications processed the plate and flats for the connections, which were in turn assembled and welded to the sections. In addition, most of the beams were cambered for dead load.

Shop Drawings
The shop drawings were prepared for Page Steel Fabrications using a computer program developed on AutoCAD. Considering the size of this project, it had very few drawings as so many of the members were identical. This reduced the time it took to prepare the drawings and, consequently, they were produced very economically. About half of the drawings were for the facade steelwork.

Delivery
Page Steel Fabrications used our in house transport for moving the steel from the fabrication shop to the painter and then on to site. Using multiple trailers allowed the prime mover to be fully utilised as it did not have to wait for the trailers to be loaded or unloaded.

Floor System
The floor system consisted of a 120mm concrete slab acting compositely with the steel beams. The system was chosen for simplicity, speed of construction and economy.

The secondary steel beams were equally spaced at approximately 2.8m maximum centres to suit the typical grid without the need for propping the 1.0mm steel profiled sheeting. It was decided not to prop the floor system to minimise cracking of the slab and maximise the speed of construction.

The 1.00mm Condeck HP steel profiled sheeting used provided both the formwork during construction and the positive reinforcement for the concrete slab. The design of the Condeck HP during the formwork stage was based on it being continuous over a minimum of three spans.

Columns
The columns were designed to allow for an extra 2 levels of carparking to be added in the future. The internal columns are typically 310UCl18 BHP 300PLUS.

Each column was a single length, as it was more economical than splicing at the first floor. To allow for the future extension whilst providing good visibility for parking, each column extends a minimum of 1000mm above the second floor level. The column end was drilled to allow for the future extension. In the interim period, before future works, the extended columns are being used to support lights and signs.

Lateral Resisting System
As the beams were designed as simply supported, bracing was provided in the end bays for lateral stability and to resist lateral wind and other loads. The bracing was 219 diameter pipe. Three were provided across each end in the north-south direction and four in each end in the east-west direction.

Facade
Around the carpark a galvanised reinforcing mesh was used as a safety screen and scalloped, painted corrugated sheeting complemented this. The screen was supported on a frame of rectangular hollow sections that had been designed chiefly for the purpose of stopping errant vehicles from going over the edge of the carpark.

Surface Treatment
The carpark is located in a fairly benign environment from a corrosion perspective and falls into the moderate environment under the classification of AS/NZS2312. For the surface treatment it was initially proposed to provide an alkyd primer with two coats of alkyd gloss, with the topcoats being provided essentially for aesthetic reasons. As part of our tender, Page Steel offered an alternative of an abrasive blast clean, 50 microns of inorganic zinc silicate and 40 microns of gloss acrylic top coat. This system offered better corrosion protection and, with only two coats, provided time as well as cost savings on this project.

The use of steel in lieu of concrete on the Deakin University Carpark project ensured the project was manufactured and erected to the builder’s tight program to ensure completion in time for the new University year. Page Steel worked closely with the builder and consultants, utilising the expertise gained on previous projects, to provide a quality and cost effective steel package for this project.