Project Review - Abbeylands Shopping Centre, Ferrybank

AMSE was appointed to the project in early January 2007, and contracted to detail, fabricate and erect the primary structural steelwork for the project. The structure is a 5 storey beam and column frame, with wide-slab pre-cast concrete floors, and a complex curved Kalzip roof. AMSE were also contracted to provide 1hour fire protection using intumescent paint, with a sealer coat on the basement car park and around the floor perimeters.

A procurement model was quickly produced by AMSE technicians to allow 5,500 tonnes of steel to be ordered from mills rollings before 17th March 2007. This was achieved as AMSE engineers worked in close co-operation with Michael Punch and Partners, during this critical stage of the project, to assist in bottoming out the final design. This partnership approach allowed 3D procurement models to be drawn in time to meet the extremely tight material procurement window . At the same time, AMSE’s operations team liaised with main contractors John Paul Construction throughout February and March to agree sequencing schedules.

Fabrication commenced at AMSE’s production facility in Moate in early April and the first load was delivered to site on the first week in May. In order to a satisfy an ambitious accelerated programme, within a confined site due to the phasing of other trades, the structure needed to be planned, fabricated, delivered to site and erected in a carefully planned and choreographed sequence. Foundations, concrete stairwells, lift shafts and 2 storey deep perimeter retaining walls were being constructed concurrently with the steel erection, which determined which areas of the site were available for erection.

This required that the erection of the beam and column structure was divided into 15 phases, and the erection of the roof structure into 4 phases. AMSE erection crews, under the supervision of AMSE contracts manager Rory Harris, erected four levels of steel at a time, using a mobile cranes and MEWPs.

Once 4 storeys of steel had been erected for one phase, the pre-cast slabs were lifted into place by tower crane (one of 5 JPC tower cranes on site), as the erection of steel for the next phase began. By the time phase 10 steel was being erected in late August, the roof of phase 1 was already underway. Close co-ordination between AMSE and JPC on a daily basis, ensured efficient sequencing of erection throughout the project, and optimum programme delivery.

An efficient methodology was further rewarded when the scope of works increased to include a further 800 tonnes of link-bridge steelwork, which only received planning permission mid-August. With no extension to the original deadline available, AMSE needed to be flexible to meet the additional requirements, and successfully fabricated and erected the extra steel within the initial time frame. By the November deadline, AMSE had 26 directly-employed site personnel working on the project.

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By Denis McNelis B.E.CEng.MIEI.

Engineering Director, AMSE