GREAT WEST QUARTER TOWER

NORTH BRENTFORD
PROJECT REF: 1541

STRUCTURAL DESIGN ADVICE SDA # 125

FROM: James McCutcheon. Date 11/06/09
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS Sheet 1 of 2
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY ATTENTION PER (Fax, Email, Hand, Courier, Mail, Collect)
X Cc: X Barratt West London Richard Virgo / Bala Balendra / Rowland Farrenkothan E
X Assael Architecture Simon Pitt / Alex Jones E
Winward Dexter Melbourne Matt Stapleton
Buro Happold Services Neil Essam
Scott Wilson Jon Bird
NHBC – Commercial Building Control Richard Williams
Mel Consultants Pty Ltd Bill Melbourne
Buro Happold Facade Peter Thompson

FOR YOUR ACTION FOR INFORMATION ONLY PROPOSED CHANGE TO BRIEF RFI –RESPONSE REQUIRED BY:

Richard,

Following my site inspections on 4/6/09 and 8/6/09 and discussions with yourself and the Contractor it has
become apparent that there are some significant discrepancies between the structural documentation and
the construction completed to date. The main items of concern are;

1. Door Openings in Core.

The RC Wall Elevation drawings typically show the set out for door openings to the underside of adjacent
slab(s). This allows the depth of the header beams beneath the slab soffit to be cast with the walls whilst
the depth of the header beams above the slab soffit is cast with the slab hence enabling reinforcement to
be placed uninterrupted over the header beams and the slabs to function as continuous. The reinforcement
drawings and schedules reflect this intention. It was observed on site that the header beams have been cast
with the walls to the top of the slab creating discontinuities in the slab top reinforcement at each header
beam location which have not been allowed for in our design. These discontinuities may result in excessive
deflections in some slab spans and cracking over the header beams. Particular areas of concern are the
spans on Grid 4 from J to F and C to A. As verbally advised on site this method of construction is
structurally unacceptable and it has been agreed that headers beams and slabs will now be constructed in
accordance with the structural drawings. For slabs that have been cast we request that the Contractor
provides sketch details of any reinforcement that has been placed that is not in accordance with the
structural drawings in order for us to perform calculations to confirm structural adequacy.

2. Core Construction.

Without previous notice we were informed on 4/6/09 that the Contractor was casting the core in two
separate sections with the header beams linking walls 5-5 and 6-6 on Grids 3, 4 and 5 later constructed
with the core slabs. The ‘Typical Header Beam Elevation Detail’ on drawing 1541/S0057 specifies that
header beam reinforcement extends 900mm beyond an opening for T25 bars and 700mm for T20 bars in
order to develop the full capacity of the bars. We were informed by the Contractor that the reinforcement
for wall 5-5 to 6-6 header beams was drilled and epoxyed approximately 300mm past the opening. The
reduction in capacity of these header beams will affect force distributions within the core and may
influence the expected performance of the building under lateral loading. We will be required to re-analyse
the tower stability model with reduced capacities for these header beams and will advise of any
LONDON BRISTOL MELBOURNE
The Schoolhouse 91 Brick Lane London E1 6QL The Wool Hall 12 St Thomas Street Bristol BS1 6JJ 488 La Trobe Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA
T +44 20 7247 7172 F +44 20 7375 0916 T +44 11 7910 5200 F +44 11 7926 0221 T +61 3 8327 8600 F +61 3 8327 8699
1541_SDA125 Page 1 of 2 Last Printed: 11/06/2009 5:54:00 PM
GREAT WEST QUARTER TOWER
NORTH BRENTFORD
PROJECT REF: 1541

rectification works required. As agreed on site we advise that full strength mechanical couplers are used to
provide continuity of the reinforcement in the header beams that haven’t been constructed.

3. Alternative Design.

It is imperative that any alternative structural design is submitted to us prior to construction for approval.
We are unable to take any liability for structural elements that are constructed which are not detailed on
the structural drawings or in a Structural Design Advice (SDA).

We advise that the cost for the additional work that we are required to undertake as a result of the non-
compliances discussed above is likely to be £3000 +VAT.

Please call if you wish to discuss any of the above further.

Regards,

James McCutcheon.

LONDON BRISTOL MELBOURNE

The Schoolhouse 91 Brick Lane London E1 6QL The Wool Hall 12 St Thomas Street Bristol BS1 6JJ 488 La Trobe Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA
T +44 20 7247 7172 F +44 20 7375 0916 T +44 11 7910 5200 F +44 11 7926 0221 T +61 3 8327 8600 F +61 3 8327 8699
1541_SDA125 Page 2 of 2 Last Printed: 11/06/2009 5:54:00 PM