HKPOLYU-CEE CSE48404
1. Introduction
1.1. Background
An office cum data centre building is proposed at Hong Kong, with usages tabulated as follows:
Floor Mark Usage
B2/F Private Carpark and class 6C vehicle
B1/F Loading/unloading Bay (Class 6D vehicle)
G/F Lobby, Transformer Room, Plant rooms
1F Lobby, office, Plant Rooms
2F-5F Data Centre, plant room
6F – 8F Office, plant room
R/F E&M Roof
T/R E&M Roof
Layout plans of the proposed building and ground investigation information are shown in Appendices A &
B.
1.2. Scope of Works
Your group acts as a consultant firm, with duties assigned in Section 1.3 of the Brief to prepare the following:
a) Interim Design Report: to work with your group members to prepare two viable schemes
(superstructure, foundation and ELS) and present your recommendation to the Client for their
decision;
Remark: Group marks (among Superstructure, Foundation and ELS Teams) will be given as a whole on
each task based on details of sketch/framing, workability of the schemes, problem identified, suggested
solutions, construction sequences etc. The group members should coordinate and distribute workloads
among themselves.
b) Final Design Report and Presentation: to prepare your own in-depth presentation with the
assigned duties of individual group member on one of the recommended scheme.
Preparation of Feasibility Study is required. Requirements should be referred to Section 2.3 of the
Brief.
Preparation of Building Information Model (BIM) with Level of Development (LOD) 200 for the
recommended scheme is also required.
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1.3. Scope of Tasks
Tasks A to D: (Superstructure Team)
Superstructure Schemes A and B (Analysis, Design and Detailing of Superstructures)
• Scheming on the structural frame taking lateral wind/soil and gravity loads for both Schemes A and B
• Loading run-down on wind/soil and gravity loads for both Schemes A and B
• Preliminary design of superstructures
• Preparation of general notes, framing plans, sections, structural details drawings, and column/wall
loading schedule
• Preparation of scheme of construction method of superstructure
• Monitor and control the progress by the whole group (Tasks A to H)
Remarks:-
In the Final Design Report, students assigned for Tasks A to D (Superstructure) will be working
together on the recommended superstructure scheme.
Tasks E and F: (Foundation Team)
Pile Cap(s) and Foundation Schemes A and B (Analysis, Design and Foundation Drawings)
• Scheming on foundation (Schemes A and B) taking superstructure structural loads and other
superimposed loads
• Detailed design of the foundation system
• Responsible for pile cap design. If base slab, tie beams are at the same level of pile cap, the foundation
team needs to design the base slab and tie beams
• Preparation of general notes, foundation plans, sections, structural details drawings, and piling schedule
Remarks:-
In the Final Design Report, students assigned for both Tasks E and F will be working together on the
recommended scheme.
Tasks G and H: (ELS Team)
Excavation and Lateral Support (“ELS”) Works Schemes A and B (Analysis, Design and ELS
Drawings)
• Scheming on ELS works (Schemes A and B)
• Preliminary design of ELS system
• Preparation of ELS plan with construction sequence
• Monitoring scheme
Remarks:-
In the Final Design Report, students assigned for both Tasks G and H (ELS) will be working together
on the recommended scheme.
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2. Design Requirements
2.1. Design Requirements of Interim Report
For the Interim Design Report, potential risk, favorable or unfavorable conditions, site constraints,
construction difficulties encountered, suggested solution(s) and likely long-term maintenance requirements,
etc, should be highlighted.
Torsional force and across-wind base moment due to wind effects according to clauses 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 of
Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2019 are NOT Necessary to consider for the Interim
Design Report. The design team can make their own decision in the wind load assessment.
Loading run-down of gravity loads, preliminary member sizing of critical elements of the superstructure and
estimation of number of piles by “hand calculation” must be provided for the Interim Design Report for
both schemes.
Scheme A of the foundation and ELS works should be in accordance with Scheme A of the superstructure.
Whereas, Scheme B of the foundation and ELS works should be in accordance with Scheme B of the
superstructure.
In order to avoid delaying design of Foundation and ELS works, the Superstructure Team should deliver
preliminary loading schedules for both schemes to the Foundation Team by the end of Week 7. Please note
that at the interim stage, the design force from the superstructure team is a rough estimate and may not
consist of all the design moment and shear force generated from analysis model. Nonetheless the foundation
team students should base on the initial loading assessment from the superstructure team to carry out the
foundation scheming.
2.2. Submission of Interim Report
One hard copy and one electronic copy (in one single PDF file to be sent to the subject lecturer by email) of
the interim design report at double line spacing in A4 size, and drawings in A3 size, should be submitted
as shown on the timetable.
The submission should be in one single volume (NOT more than 200 pages). Only simple calculations with
sound estimation are required. The report should include the contents listed below.
Design Team
• Name – duties of each group member;
• Signature of each group member.
Introduction of the site
• Description of the site – Site characteristics, Site constraints.
Design Codes and References
• Design specifications – Proposed design codes, publications, other references, etc.
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Design Data
• Materials specifications.
Superstructure System
• Design loads – gravity, wind, soil loads and uplift forces, and basic load cases;
• Description of the systems (vertical load transfer system and lateral load resisting system) for both
Scheme A and B;
• Design assumptions;
• Loading run-down of gravity loads by “hand calculation”;
• Analysis of wind frame / lateral resisting system;
• Calculation of preliminary member sizing of critical elements for each scheme by “hand calculation”;
• Pros & cons of Scheme A and B and recommendation on superstructure system with supporting reasons.
Foundation and Pile Cap Design
• Ground and groundwater conditions and site geology;
• Brief descriptions of foundation schemes;
• Description of how the loadings from superstructure / sub-structure safely transferring to foundation
below.
• Design assumptions and parameters;
• Load cases and load combinations;
• Estimation of number of piles and pile cap(s) based on the superstructure loading obtained by “hand
calculation”;
• Preliminary checking on the adequacy of foundation schemes, such as pile capacity, etc;
• Pros & cons of foundation schemes;
• Recommendation on the foundation systems with supporting reasons.
Excavation & Lateral Support Works
• Ground and groundwater conditions and site geology;
• Brief descriptions of ELS schemes;
• Design assumptions and parameters;
• Proposal for the monitoring scheme.
• Pros & cons of ELS schemes;
• Recommendation on the ELS systems with supporting reasons.
Construction Engineering
• Construction methods and Construction sequences;
• The proof tests to be anticipated and their purposes;
• Discussions on the possible effects/difficulties/problems to the adjacent buildings, structures, land,
streets & services during construction, and the corresponding solutions;
• Typical details for unconventional construction method(s), if applicable
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Drawings
Drawings should be single-sided i n A3 size for each scheme but not limited to as follows:
• General notes of design codes and references, material specifications and workmanship specifications,
etc;
• Wind model/wind frame for information;
• Framing/General Arrangement plans with critical structural member sizes and sections, such as
showing transfer system, cantilever, earth retaining structure, etc;
• Key plans showing usages, design loads and fire resistance rating of each floor;
• Foundation and pile cap plan and sections showing founding strata, design ground water level, etc;
• Column / wall loading schedules for both Scheme A and B;
• ELS plan, section and construction sequence.
2.3. Design Requirements of Final Report
For the Final Design Report, relevant drawings/documents, with supportive detailed structural calculations
for the recommended scheme should be provided. The contents of the unselected scheme should be
deleted.
The torsional force and the across-wind base moment (if necessary) due to wind effects according to clauses
2.2.2 and 2.2.3 of Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2019 are required to consider for the
Final Report.
Feasibility Study
In the Final report, your group as a whole need to address feasibility study as the following:
“Before commencement of construction works, the Client has made the following requests
1) To change the usage of 6F to 8F from office to Data Centre as well.
2) To add another level of basement (4m deep) from GL 2-4/ B-E to cater for the additional E&M services
due to change of data centre from 6F to 8F
Your group is required to review the feasibility of the above requests and prepare a report with A4
sketch(es) (showing advised layout plan(s) and associated section(s) with any alteration on the
recommended scheme) and not more than 2 single-sided A4 pages (to describe your consideration and
implication on the superstructure, foundation and ELS design). No detailed design calculation is
required”
2.4. Submission of Final Report
One hard copy and one electronic copy (in one single PDF file to be sent to the subject lecturer by email)
of the final report should be submitted together with the drawings as shown on the timetable. Input files of
computer programs (if applicable) and drawing files (such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, Revit, etc) should be
also sent to the subject lecturer.
Sophisticated analyzing techniques and commercial software packages may be used as necessary in this
project.
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The final design report will be divided into two parts (NOT more than 400 pages):
Part I would be the in-depth discussion of the scheme design report at double line spacing in A4
size with the aid of simple sketches, if found necessary, and feasibility report.
Part II would be the major structural drawings and design calculations of the final design of one single
volume. Only input files for each of their simulations are needed in hard copy. [Note: Output files of
the computer models shall be submitted in a PDF format separately (no need to print a hard copy).] The
arrangement of the contents should comply with Practice Notes for Authorized Persons and Registered
Structural Engineers ADM-8 and ADV-33.
Drawings
Drawings should be single-sided in A3 size for the recommended scheme but not limited to as follows:
Superstructure:
• General notes of design codes and references, material specifications and workmanship specifications,
etc
• General arrangements of superstructure and associated sections, such as showing transfer system,
cantilever, earth retaining structure, etc
• Key plans showing usages, design loads and fire resistance rating of each floor
• Structural details of major / critical slabs / beams / columns / walls
Foundation:
• Foundation layout plan including contour lines of founding strata, locations of G.I. boreholes and pre-
drilling holes
• Structural arrangement of foundation system and the associated details including sections showing
founding strata, soil profile with GI boreholes, design ground water level, adjacent geotechnical
features, structures and utilities, etc
• Column / wall loading schedule
• Pile loading schedule
• Foundation details and notes
ELS:
• Excavation & lateral support works plan, sections, elevations and construction sequences
• Excavation & lateral support works notes and details
• Precautionary measures and monitoring proposal
Building Information Model (BIM)
Requirements of preparation of BIM with LOD 200 are as follows:
• File(s) of BIM of Superstructure, Foundation (with profile of rockhead / founding stratum) and
ELS Works is/are to be sent to the subject lecturer by email. For model of ELS works, only final
stage of excavation is required. Items under feasibility study are excluded in the BIM requirement.
• At least 2 numbers of 3D graphical printouts in A3 size should be attached to the final design report,
one showing Superstructure and Foundation Works, one showing Foundation and ELS Works.
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3. Presentation
Final Design Presentation (Week 4 of 2nd Semester)
Each group will spend NOT more than 20 minutes # for the presentation of final design report. The
unselected scheme and consideration of selection of scheme should be also presented briefly. Then, each
group will have 10 minutes for Q&A session. Marks will be given to individual person and group (among
the Superstructure, Foundation and ELS Teams).
# In order to avoid affecting performance of later groups, the presentation will be terminated
immediately, if time is up.
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4. Design Information
Loadings
For Superimposed Dead Load, (including finishes, partitions and E&M services) and Live Load, please
refer to the followings
• Finishes thickness at internal areas to be 50mm including car park and loading/unloading area
• 150mm raised floor should be considered in the office and data centre area
• Finishes thickness at external areas, such as Roof, etc, to be 100mm
• Loading allowed for E&M services and false ceiling to be 1. 5kPa
• Loading allowed for partition in office and data centre to be 2.0kPa
• Live load for Lift Pit to be 25.0kPa
• Live load for E&M Roof to be 10.0kPa
• Live load for Data Centre floor to be 15kPa
• Live load for transformer room to be 30kPa
• Self-weight of curtain walls or Aluminum cladding to be 1.5kPa on elevation
For other Live load which have not specified above, please refer to Code of Practice for Dead and Imposed
Load 2011 to determine the live load based on the layout plan.
Topography
The site is located at urban area with flat terrain, without adjacent significant topographic feature.
Consideration of shelter and topographic effects is not required. There is no unusual shaped or complicated
topography / surrounding. Wind tunnel test is not required.
Geology and Site Condition
Soils are not corrosive to reinforced concrete and the reinforcement bar inside. The site is not within
Schedule Area and designated area of Northshore Lantau. Within the site area, there is no adverse geologic
process that may affect the site stability.
The design soil parameters and groundwater level can be obtained based on the available ground
investigation information. Alternatively, the following conservative assumptions
natively, the followin may be adopted:
c’ = 0kPa for Fill; c’ = 2kPa for CDG c’ = 42kPa for Residual
CDG Soil
= 30o for Fill; = 35o for CDG o
= 353 for CDG
Residual Soil
Ground water level = Existing ground level
The site is surrounded by driveway on the 4 sides. 15m away from the site at the north and east direction
there are a series of 2-storey tall residential buildings sitting on shallow foundation. According to the record
information, the shallow foundation is 1.5m below ground. Students should take into account of the above
site information in their design.
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Headroom requirement
1) B2 carpark –
a. Clear Headroom = 2700mm
b. E&M zones = 400mm
2) B1 carpark –
a. Clear Headroom = 4700mm
b. E&M zones = 700mm
3) GF Lobby –
a. Clear Headroom = 5000mm
b. E&M zones = 700mm
4) 1F, 6F to 8F office –
a. Clear Headroom = 3000mm
b. E&M zones = 500mm
5) Data Centre 2F to 5F
a. Clear Headroom = 3000mm
b. E&M zones = 700mm
Fire Resistance Rating
1) Basement – 240mins
2) Ground Floor to Top Roof – 120mins
Omissions from Design
Detailed design for the following items is NOT required:
1) curtain wall system
2) metal railing
3) parapet
4) strut dismantling
5) Staircase design
6) Please ignore the necessity of car ramp to B1 and B2. The ramp layout are omitted for simplicity.
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5. References
Laws of Hong Kong
Cap 123 Buildings Ordinance and its sub-legislations
Code of Practices
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for Dead and Imposed Loads 2011
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2013
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011
Buildings Department, Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2019
Buildings Department, Explanatory Notes to the Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong
Kong 2019
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for Foundation 2017
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011
Buildings Department, Code of Practice for Building Works for Lifts and Escalators 2011
Buildings Department, Practice Notes for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural
Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineer
Related Website
www.bd.gov.hk
BIM Standards
CIC BIM Standards – General (August 2019); (Version 2 - December 2020) , (Version 2.1 - 2021); and
(Version 2024);
CIC BIM Standards for Architecture and Structural Engineering (Version 2 - December 2020); and (Version
2.1 - 2021);
Other Publications and References
Charles E Reynolds and James C Steedman, Reinforced Concrete Designer’s Handbook, E & FN;
The Institution of Structural Engineers & The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Manual for the
Design of Reinforced Concrete Building Structures, The Institution of Structural Engineers;
The Institution of Structural Engineers/Concrete Society, Standard Method of Detailing Structural
Concrete, The Institution of Structural Engineers;
Hong Kong Foundation Handbook, HKIE, 2015/2017;
Housing Department, Manual for Design and Detailing of Reinforced Concrete to the Code of
Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2013;
Geotechnical Engineering Office, CEDD, GEOGUIDE 1, 2, 3 & 5.
Geotechnical Engineering Office, CEDD, Review of Design Methods for Excavations (1990),
GCO Publication No. 1/90, or
Geotechnical Engineering Office, CEDD, Deep Excavation Design and Construction (2023)
GEO Publication No. 1/2023
Geotechnical Engineering Office, CEDD, Foundation Design and Construction, GEO
Publication No. 1/2006
The British Standards Institution, ISO 19650
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Appendix A
Proposed Building Plan
HKPOLYU-CEE CSE48404
Appendix B
Ground Investigation Information
12,500 mm 12,500 mm 12,500 mm 12,500 mm 9,400 mm
8,500 mm
22,000 mm
