structural engineering Archives

Riverhills Public Pontoon

Posted on October 16, 2020October 16, 2020 by Michael Terlich

Structural, Civil and Environmental Engineering blend together in the design of this maritime project

In a joint venture with Envirostruct Services, APP provided the structural, civil, and environmental engineering, reporting and management for this maritime project.

The design includes the installation of a floating platform (approximately 16m x 6m plan dimensions) held in place by a system of four driven piles. The design also includes placement of armour rock on the approach embankment batters around the abutment for scour protection during flood events.

The pontoon structure is located on the internal bend of the Brisbane River, adjacent Newcomb Park, Riverhills and is located downstream of the existing pontoon.

Callistemon Drive Swimming Pool

Posted on May 15, 2019June 5, 2019 by Michael Terlich

Bamboo Tops House

Posted on May 15, 2019June 4, 2019 by Michael Terlich

Wategos Beach Boardwalk

Posted on November 21, 2018November 27, 2018 by Michael Terlich

Wategos Beach, Byron Bay...

Is there a more beautiful place to relax and unwind?

We were lucky enough to be involved in the recent Watego's boardwalk project that connected the path to the bottom of the famous Byron Lighthouse stairs so pedestrians can walk safely along the road.

APP undertook the design concepts and detailed design for Byron Shire Council and NPWS.

We also completed the geotechnical investigations and construction supervision.

APP investigated a range of surfaces and materials and adopted the FRP deck and substructure for durability, and the timber handrail to match existing NPWS arrangements, and to provide a pleasing finish and leaning rail.

Have you walked it yet?

Balmain Police Marina

Posted on July 19, 2018March 20, 2020 by Michael Terlich

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting a bespoke floating marina capable of berthing a range of commercial sized Police Vessels (2 tonnes to 300 tonnes) as well as providing wave attenuation capacity and pedestrian access for emergency and conventional use.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were different berthing requirements and building a wave attenuation capacity into the conventional pontoon arrangements.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges with provision of an external deep drafted pontoon system widened to attenuate the incident ferry wash waves which were the principal design waves. Piles and pontoons were sized to suit the berthing locations for the different sized vessels.

Coolamon Scenic Drive

Posted on January 15, 2018September 6, 2018 by Michael Terlich

Magnificent views of the Far North Coast and hinterland have been captured beautifully in this elegant steel, timer and masonry structured rural dwelling. This fabulous north-facing property has extensive views over the coastal plain from Cape Byron to the Gold Coast and west to the Byron Hinterland. It was designed employing ecologically sustainable and passive solar principles, including rainwater capture and solar power supply.

The home uses recycled timber as the primary material in this sprawling pavilion-style house and outbuildings. Reclaimed blackbutt from old bridges and warehouses is used for much of the structure, cladding, decking, windows and other building components.

Solutions
We overcame these challenges by detailed joint and materials design for the range of connections and bracing components available. This allowed the architectural and structural statements provided by the design solutions to enhance the effect of the recycled timber, spaces and views. Plywood structure and composite roof trusses were solutions we could offer through structural engineering design.

Key Features

The key features of the project are the recycled timber used extensively in the build, and the magnificent North Coast views.

Key Parties
Designed by Archimages Architecture, and built by J S Henderson Builders

Ballina RSL Club

Posted on December 14, 2017March 15, 2018 by Michael Terlich

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting vertically integrated design and planning services to provide high quality, value for money structural and civil solutions for a range of community and commercial building programs. The works have involved:

The $6m refurbishment of the entire Club
The $1m Riverside Boardwalk around the Club
The $3m expansion to the gaming and community meeting rooms

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were providing a riverside boardwalk which suited community needs, as well as protecting the club’s security and budget requirements.

Providing structural solutions for the refurbishment and expansion contracts to a modified building form, which had not been previously well documented.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by the development of a range of maritime solutions, costing them and discussing suitability with all stakeholders. APP subsequently called tenders and supervised the construction of the adopted boardwalk solution.

For the refurbishment and expansion projects the solution was to establish core structural solutions which had redundancy and flexibility worked into the detail for amendment during construction. This, coupled with a close working relationship with the builder and architect during construction overcame the unforeseen structural problems typical of refurbishment work

Key Features:
The key features/points of difference to mention of the project are the development of value for money maritime solution which met community and client requirement, and delivery of on time and on budget building projects for complex refurbishment and expansion projects in a large operating club environment.

APP's Role:
Ardill Payne & Partners were responsible for the Civil and Structural Engineering, Survey and Town Planning, and also supplied Project Management services for the maritime component.

Timeframe:
With involvement in Master Planning, Regulatory Planning, Design and Construction processes, the projects of upgrading the premises extended from 2 to 3 years.

Budget:
The overall budget for the projects was $10m.

Emmanuel Anglican College

Posted on September 20, 2017March 15, 2018 by Michael Terlich

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting Civil and Structural Engineering solutions for a k1 – k12 school, which provided all the variety in building types and land uses such a school requires. The school is sited on weak alluvial soils, which required filling for flood immunity resulting in large (400mm) settlement issues for the site.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were a range of building uses, site settlement, budget and time constraints. The school had to be open within 2 years of site acquisition.

APP’s Role:
Ardill Payne & Partners undertook the Structural Engineering Design of the project.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by developing a filling system which reduced differential settlement, designing buildings to be within strict weight ranges for different parts of the site and requiring building services to be detailed to permit joint replacements due to differential settlement.

Key Features:
The key features to mention of the project are buildings designed to withstand and limit 400mm of settlement. Advanced combined geotechnical, structural and building services design advice to address large differential settlements.

Xavier Catholic College

Posted on September 20, 2017March 15, 2018 by Michael Terlich

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting coordinated Structural and Civil Engineering Design for years 7 - 12.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were the variety of building types for various school functions, budget controls and limited space

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by undertaking detailed site planning, determining opportunities and constraints of the site, engaging with the architects and the centre senior management, and having a number of pre-DA communications with Council’s Technical Officers.

Key Features:
The multipurpose hall comprises high steel portal frames and 4.6m long tapered cantilevered concrete beams to the first floor. We have provided structural engineering design for all stages of the college including the Administration, Art, Science, GLAs, Library, Canteen, Amphitheatre and Multipurpose Hall.

APP’s Role:
Ardill Payne & Partners were responsible for the Structural and Civil Engineering Design for all stages of development of the College, including the Engineering Design of the multi-purpose hall.

Budget:
The budget for the project was $14,100,000.00.

Ballina Surf Club

Posted on September 20, 2017March 20, 2020 by Michael Terlich

The Brief:
The client came to us wanting Integrated Project Management and Engineering Design to create a low maintenance community building on a dune front location that maximised the outstanding views, and provided a broad range of community services all to a fixed budget.

Key Challenges:
The key challenges we could see for this project were co-ordination of building uses with architectural intent and opportunities with materials selection to limit maintenance. The building also had to be designed in a coastal environment exposed to wave action with tight budget constraints.

Solutions:
We overcame these challenges by design and materials design iterations, with close review by quantity, Surveyor and Foundation Contractors to identify where costs could be saved and still achieve the operational and design brief.

Key Features:
The key features/points of difference to mention of the project are the coastal environment materials selection, building design for wave impacts, variety of building users (surf club, function centre, café), and to build to program and budget.

APP’s Role:
As Project Managers, Ardill Payne & Partners were responsible for the design development, detailed structural and civil design, DA and tender documentation, contract administration and construction supervision and certification.

Timeframe:
The Clubhouse was built to a tight timeframe, delivered on time and on budget.

Budget:
The budget for the project was $4.5m.