Papworth Hospital

Flexible pour sequences of complex transfer structures enable architects vision

The open plan spaces that post-tensioned concrete allows, means this state-of-the-art facility will be functional, whilst embracing the architect’s holistic design concept.

Walsh were engaged as post-tensioned designers for sub-contractor PSC Ltd to support Skanska at tender stage. Following the award of this contract we were novated to Skanska to deliver the design and drawings for construction.

The hospital has a huge floor plan of 40,000m2 making this a particularly detailed job with lots of engineering challenges to overcome. The biggest challenge was the transfer deck on level 2. Supporting four levels of elliptical shaped hospital slab and transferring to a rectangular shaped footprint for the lower levels meant every column from the upper floors transferred onto the level 2. This resulted in supporting transfer columns with point loads up to 9885kN of factored load.

Due to site requirements the pour sequences throughout the job had to be changed to achieve suitable progress. This led to a requirement for flexibility in both design and construction. The pour sequence were changed frequently especially on the transfer deck in order to make good progress, which put a lot of pressure on the design and detailing team to cope with the site changes and issue details as per the construction programme.