Maple’s expert Pre-Con team achieved success through innovative thinking and thorough testing.
The original design
A major part of ensuring the success of our projects is designing out any potential risks in the early stages and providing value engineering options. In this case, we discovered that the material optimisation of the original design was quite poor as 50% of the material would have been wasted.
how we overcame the challenges
To combat this, we suggested splitting the panel into 8 sub-triangles instead of 4 which reduced the wastage to 3%. To check the new design produced the same results as the original, we ran it through simulations, such as finite element analysis, in our Stockport HQ and found that it garnered very similar results.
However, previous experience has proved that the simulations don’t always account for everything, such as additional movement, so we added a central fixing to the panel.
Another way to guarantee success was to place the panels under physical testing. Our team conducts preliminary tests to ensure it passes structural calculations when its reviewed by an engineer. We found that the panel passed the necessary requirements although we wanted to enhance the factor of safety further therefore added an additional central plate to further restrain the centre of the panel.
The next stage of our pre-con services was for third-party certified structural engineers to calculate the design. One of the calculations underwent by the panels was a ‘Pull test’ to ensure that the anchors can firmly hold the panels to the concrete.
THE RESULT
Once the testing was complete, the final full-size sample was manufactured and shared with the client. It’s safe to say the client was happy with our sample as we secured the project, and our design now masks all four elevations of Brentford’s new multi-storey car park.
To see the end result, take a look at the article here.