Case Studies

ROOF STRUCTURE

CYCLONE-PRONE STRUCTURE, CUSTOM FRAME, MULTIPLE SUREFOOT

Located in the north of Western Australia, Karratha has the highest rating in cyclone classification in Australia. That aspect made Surefoot a viable candidate as the footing option for the project of a cantilevered Roof structure in three local Skate Parks because of the high capcity for uplift loads that Surefoot offers. The option of using concrete was prohibitive due to the fact that there was an existing structure close to the proposed roof and there was no access to excavation.

The design consisted on a roof supported by two sets of columns in the back end of the structure. The engineering team received the structural design and the soil tests for the locations of the structures. The maximum uplift force for the supports was 470kN. That force prompted the design of a combination frame using multiple Surefoot caps to resist such force.

Once the structure was awarded to the winning tenderer, the installation started by the contractor with training provided by Surefoot. The estimated installation time of 28 days was reduced to just 14 days.

After the Surefoot caps were installed, the frame for the roof was installed in the same week, saving time which was cost saving for the council.

The result was very impressive and both the council and the contractor were pleased in using Surefoot.

BOAT CLUB

MARINE ENVIRONMENT, CUSTOM SUREFOOT, HIGH LOADINGS

Surefoot was the preferred footing option in the renovation of a Boating Club in Canadian Bay at Mt Eliza in Victoria. The main concerns of the design and engineering team in charge of the project were the design life of the structure under marine environment and the structural capacity of Surefoot under loadings of up to 300kN (30 tonne) of gravity.

Surefoot’s Engineering and design team went to site to confirm the scope of works and to discuss the design process with the Project Manager in charge of the renovation. Since the original construction had concrete piles and there was no possibility of removal of the old footings, the driven micropiles would have to be set in order for them to avoid clashing with the existing structure.

The structural engineer in charge of the design of the framing provided the footing loadings and the layout of the foundations to Surefoot. This information came along with the soil report of the location, which confirmed the presence of clays in the layers beneath the water.

With all of this information, the engineering team at Surefoot proceeded to do the design, by using stainless steel for the cap and micro-piles and with custom-made pile caps to suit the loading proposed by the project.

As Surefoot was appointed to do the installation of the footings, special measures were taken to work in a marine environment. Installation times were reduced by half from the projected two months.

The final construction went according to the plans and the client was very satisfied with the overall design.

REMOTE HOSPITAL

From the beginning of the project, Surefoot was assigned as the footing for the construction of the modules of a remote Hospital far north Queensland.

Because the structure was intended for public use, the loadings of the structure were taken into account when doing the design according to AS 1170.1. These loadings were confirmed by the engineering team at Surefoot after the project was issued by the Structural Engineer.

Once the structure was awarded to the winning tenderer, the installation started by the contractor with training provided by Surefoot. The estimated installation time of 28 days was cut to just 14 days.

LED SIGN

CUSTOM FRAME, HIGH BENDING MOMENTS, RESTRICTED ACCESS

When the client was assigned to do a LED Screen inside an existing Shed, Surefoot was the first option and the most viable, because no heavy machinery was required to install the foundations for the support mast.

Because of the high bending moment in the base of the structure, a frame using four S600 were selected after reviewing the soil test and the design by the structural engineer.

Only a minor cut in the existing slab and a revision on the location of existing services was needed to perform the installation.

Once the Surefoot and the base frame were installed, the mast and the Screen were erected in no time.

The final structure can be seen from a long distance

HOUSE IN RYE

S250 3 WAY, RESTRICTED ACCESS, STEEP SLOPES

One of the many advantages that Surefoot offers is the ability to adapt to steep terrain. Our S250 comes in three different configuration including; 4-way, 3-way and 2-way. Depending on loadings and soil characteristics, the 4-way S250 is usually the preferred option. The flexibilty of the 2 and 3-way options allows the piles to be driven parallel to a boundary or an escarpment.

In this particular case, machinery access was limited and the intended design of deep bored piers was not economical. The owner considered Surefoot as a viable foundation and soon discovered that it was the right choice!

The design prompted the use of the S250 3-way pile cap, the advantage of the 3-way configuration on a slope is that two of the piles can be driven across the slope while the remaining two pile are driven into the slope.

All footings were installed with basic hand tools, savings time and money, with no machinery costs and no time wasted waiting for concrete to dry.

Once the footings were installed the stumps were fixed using our standard connection brackets and bracing as per the engineers design.

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