What is the purpose of the structure/ project?
Construction of Prototype bus station for as part of Integrated bus rapid transport system
What was the brief to the architect?
To design and create a visually pleasing structure with Universal access, be Energy efficient, be ahead of current times, and take Durban Integrated rapid transit into the future.
Give a brief description of the structural framing. What type of sections were used (e.g. hollow, cellular, I beams etc) and why?
Generally square hollow tubing was used on most structural members, due to its light weight and excellent structural strength properties. Custom made hollow tubes had to be manufacture for the front and exit canopy legs, for aesthetic requirements.
Give a brief description of the cladding process (complexity, difficulty, innovation etc)
The project does not consist of any radically new innovation, but rather a creative way of using some common construction materials to create a homogeneous and appealing structure, which involved the erection of a structurally stable steel frame, which was then covered with steel roof and clad with a glass façade.
Give a brief description of the Light Steel Frame Building element of the project. (Notable features/ achievements made possible by LSFB)
Internally the roof has been insulated and the profile of the structure followed with an aluminium ceiling. This ceiling houses the light fixtures, and other emergency services required for puplic buildings.
Were there any challenges in the fabrication of the project from the engineer’s design – if yes, please tell? Tell more about fabrication and erection process if it was complex, difficult, innovative etc.
A detailed coating spec was required for long term protection of the structural elements, due to the proximity to the ocean and industrial fallout in the area. This required all structural steel member to be galvanised and coated with a duplex paint coating system. The initial project specification required frame member be continuously welded and no bolted joints allowed. Due to the length (slenderness) and shape(U) of the portal frame members, and possible distortion of structural member during the galvanising process, full galvanising of the originally designed members proved to be impossible without possible areas of coating weakness due to site welding. It was recommended to the engineer that a bolted joint be placed in the structural elements, hidden from view, in the ceiling/roof area. Thus reducing the size of the elements and improving handling of the elements, the ability to fully apply the specified coating systems, this would all could be achieved without disturbing the long slender appearance of the legs, that the architect required.
What is special/ unusual/ innovative/ aesthetic about the steelwork/cladding
in this project?
The construction of project specific box sections for the front and exit canopies, to achieve the correct angle and shape required. Using 3D software non-standard box section were created to support the front and exit canopies
How did the project team work together (e.g contractor involved early, challenges/ ease of communication etc.)
The project team had to work closely with the architect, numerous changes were made to the structure initially (front and exit canopy) due to the specific planes and angles required to match the anticipated glass façade structure. 3D software was used to create the structure and ensure that the finer details could be achieved.
| Tons of structural steel used | 25 TONS |
| Structural profiles used | CFLC 125x50x2.5 ; CFLC 100X50X2.5 ; UB 203X133X25
SHS 200X200X4.5 ; SHS 150X150X4.5 ; SHS 60X60X4.5 RHS 200X100X6.0 ; RHS 160X80X5.0 ; PLATES – 20MM; 16MM; 8MM; 6MM; 3MM; ANGLE 150X150X10 ; UNEQUAL ANGLE 150X75X10 ; ANGLE 70X70X6 ; ANGLE 40X40X3 ; FLAT BAR – 25MM, 20MM, 12MM; 8MM, 6MM, 5MM ; ROUND BAR – 60 DIA. |
| Tons of LSF used | 5.257 TONS |
| Span of trusses and Kg/m2 (if applicable) | 200 Meters of Balustrading |
| Profiles used | 75×3 CHS S/S ; 80x40x2.5 RHS ; 20 RB ; 50×3 CHS S/S ; 10 RB ; 60x60x4.5 SHS ; 100x50x4.5 RHS ; 60×10 FL BAR |
| Type of cladding | Hunter Douglas – Ceilings and Louvers |
| Cladding profile/ type used | Brownbuilt Klip-Lok 406 (roof) |
| Cladding area/ coverage and tonnage | Area 466m2 |
Project Team
| Project Team Role | Company |
| Nominator | Shesha Engineering |
| Client/ Developer | eThekwini Municipality |
| Architect | Iyer |
| Structural Engineer | Linda Ness Associates |
| Engineer (Site) | MCA |
| Quantity Surveyor | LDM |
| Project Manager | MCA |
| Main Contractor | Phayindani J.V |
| Steelwork Contractor | Shesha Engineering |
| Steel Erector | Shesha Engineering |
| Cladding Manufacturer | HB Interiors
MJ Cheater Roofing AGS Glass fibre |
| Cladding Supplier | Hunter Douglas
City glass Global roofing |
| Cladding Contractor | HB Interiors
MJ Cheater Roofing AGS Glass fibre |
| Corrosion Protection Galvanising |
Pinetown Galvanising |
| Corrosion Protection Paintwork Contractor |
Scott Clean |
| Photographer, Photo competition | Lisa Woest Photography |
| Photographer, Other submitted images | Qanza construction |