Development of the Large Southerly Stage - Research Paper Example

Construction of the great southern stand Name Institution Date 1. Construction of the Great Southern Stand After a competitive tendering process, the contract for design and construction was awarded to John Holland Construction Pty Ltd in March 1990. The contract was fixed price and was to be completed before the world cup. This meant that the project had to be constructed with speed and this influenced the choice of the construction method. The contractor took on the design responsibility as well as the time and cost risk. All the design consultants reported to the contactor. The stand construction started after demolition of the old structure that begun in May 1990. After completion, the stand provided additional four levels of seats with a capacity of 47,000 people, increasing the stadium capacity to 110,000. The construction together with the demolition process was completed within two years (1991-1992) with a peak workforce on site employed reaching a staggering 860 people and at a budget of $ 140 million. The great southern stand was constructed 324 metres long, 45 meters high. It has seven levels with four tiers of seating. The stand traces out an arc that follows the boundary of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and is therefore not an ellipse or a true circle. This made the reuse of construction components from the prior stand impossible. The old stand therefore had to be demolished and in the process, 5000 panels of asbestos sheeting were removed as well as 550 tonnes of roofing structure. The external view displays perfectly inclined ramps and lines of port hole windows with glazed stair bays that is crowned by half ring of steel roof stays cantilever and masts supports for the grandstand roof. The design was a perfect combination of re-inforced concrete, with steel roof structure that includes masts, trusses and stays. The stand is made up of 14,000 precast elements that include hollow core planks, 2,700 tonnes of structural steel with 2,700 tonnes of reinforcing steel, four kilometres of underground services as well as 20 kilometres of internal plumbing work. The project, completed in 13 months, incorporated a large number of precast components that enabled the project to be pieced together and completed in such a short time (John Holland, 2013). Post-tensioning design assistance and construction for the great southern stand construction was sub-contracted to VSL, a company with vast experience and high capabilities in design and construction. This company worked closely with the design team to achieve an optimised and economically sound structural solution. The company was involved in pre-tender design and construction support as well as supplying, installing, stressing and grouting of 123 tonnes of 12.7 mm strand tendons with 20 tonnes VSL CTA stressbar. The bars had 26, 32 and 38 mm diameters. Installation of the pre-cast, post-tensioning beams (VSL, 2008). The structure, 324m long, was constructed using a precast post-tensioning floor system that incorporated 29,000m3 of concrete with 143 tonnes of post-tensioning steel. Precast post tensioning floor system (VSL, 2008). At the interface of the structural steel beams, are the post-tensioned connections that support the seating decks onto the main concrete support structure. This was achieved by using VSL CTA Stressbar tendons and stand tendons. Also provided was the unprotected steel box girders cantilever that gave support to the second and third decks and also achieve full length sloping support to the top deck. The girders provided carry the pre-stressed concrete seating plates with the concrete frames connected longitudinally with pre-cast, post-tensioned beams. The structure is supported by 28 radial frames positioned at an average of 12 metres centres. The 28 frames are surmounted by bow shaped trusses of triangular cross-section cantilevering 27 metres. The post-tensioned structural steel elements used were preferred due to the construction flexibility that they provide as well as erection speed and overall reduced structural costs. The roof area above each of the trusses was raised and overlapped with the main roof to provide pressure relief slots and reduce uplift. Used on the roof were threaded couplings in the mainstay bracing frame. These were used to provide a 2 mm tolerance adjustment with a half turn of the thread, and in this way, achieving relatively easy aerial assembly of members with pin ends. Plans for upgrading the great southern stand were underway in 2011 with the upgrade expected to complete before the start of the 2013 AFL season. The project was to be run by Construction Engineering and funded by a $ 30 million and $25 million contributions from the Victorian government and Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) respectively. The project was to achieve improvement in the patron experience in all the four levels. The project was for improvement of the entry points at the gates 4, 5, 6, and 7 and was to achieve open, light spaces on the southern stand so that it matches the northern side of the stadium. The upgrade was to cover kitchen upgrades, improved beverage and kitchen outlets, new toilet facilities as well as upgrades to several other existing areas like the Bunton, Wills and Legal rooms and creation of 500-seat function room to replace the nine corporate suites on Level 2 (MCG, 2011). Newly furnished guest rooms (MCG, 2011) 2. Facilities of the great southern stand Plumbing works The designers went an extra mile in ensuring that the drainage system works effectively. Due to its design and orientation, it was a challenge to adequately drain the seating plats. Rain and spilled drinks would end up on the occupants of the lower levels. The stand was therefore equipped with a vacuum drainage system. Traditional downpipes were not sufficient and would block the view. The vacuum drainage system pulls waste waters back up transferring it to a grandstand core. The system comprises a PLC controlled vacuum centre with electronic field equipment and these work together to monitor and control the drainage as demanded by conditions in the plats. Piping for drainage (Avac Australia pty ltd (1992). The upgrade increased capacity and in a much bigger way increased the plumbing works for the stadium. Great effort was however focused on recycling and energy conservation. The plumbing works is fitted with a pressure booster pump plant that ensures adequate water pressure for the times of high demand when the stadium hosts large crowds. There are overhead tanks in the upper levels of the great southern stand that feed all the toilets within the stand. The plumbing supports corporate suite and function room requirements, all catering requirements and the fire suppression system. Keen attention was drawn to energy reduction, and to this effect, efficient lighting systems were installed, the building management system reviewed, cogeneration opportunities and sensor lighting. The oval was achieved through perched water table construction that suspends the water within the profile and in this way, increasing the volume of water stored within a sand profile (Reece, 2009). Electrical facilities The ground is fitted with sirens which comprise of four horns arranged to form eight banks strategically located all around the ground. Within the great southern stand, the siren banks were fitted in four positions on the lighting gantry at Bays 2, 8, 15 and 23. The siren controls are in the Ron Casey media Centre and are operated by two buttons that are pressed simultaneously. Also provided is a UPS system that comes into operation in case of a power failure. Security cameras have also been strategically located in the great southern stand as well as all around the ground. These are used for protection of assets and property as well as for crowd control Access Control/Turnstiles the entry points to the facility are fitted with bar scanning turnstiles and other devices that govern the attendance figures. These figures are broken down into various categories depending on the entry point and are used for statistical information and future reference. The access control software calculates the actual attendance figure after scanning and registering each patron (MCG, 2011). In the great southern stand are the controls for the light towers. The light tower system is made up of six light towers standing 75 metres high, the head frame being a further 10 metres higher. The towers have foundations made up of four reinforced concrete piers that are set down 7 to 12 metres in depth depending on the sub surface structure. The tubular steel towers are made up of 130 tonnes of steel with their diameters reducing from 4.2 meters at the bottom to 2 meters at the top. (Jackson architecture, 1992). Safety and fire solutions The great southern stand is equipped with effective safety solutions. The building is provided with mechanical smoke control mechanisms as well as sprinkler protection to contain development and spread of fire and smoke. Calculations for timed evacuations were carried out so that emergency evacuation time along the emergency exit systems at the control points was within recommended limits. Since the structure is generally made of concrete for the bowl and steel in the upper tiers and roof, the structure itself is fire resistant. Connection The great southern stand entry points are mainly through gate 5 or 6 which are generally for public access. The AFL Members Reserve and patrons may use the Punt Road or the Brunton Avenue (which is car park gate 7) for those who wish to obtain parking spots close to the designated entry gate. Although steps are available directly at the front of gate 5, this entry point can also be accessed by using the graduated walkway at the front of the gate 4. Other facilities at the stand include: Public telephone points at level one, bay M21/22 Automatic teller machines at level 1 behind the seating bay M11/12 and at level 1 behind the seating bay M18/19 of the great southern stand as well as at the external concourse outside gate 7. Disability access to the stand conforms to section 42 of the Equal Act 1995. Seating facilities for the disabled is provided in form of wheelchair seating space in the AFL members as well as the public areas on level 1 and level 2. Level 1 has this allowance at all sections a part from M1, M2, M7 and M27. Access to level 2 during football season is however restricted to home club’s season reserve seat patrons or members in level 2 dining rooms. Entry to the great southern stand (Brodie, 2010) References Brodie W.(2010). Facelift for MCG’s Great southern Stand. The Sydney Morning Herald, sport. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from < http://www.smh.com.au/sport/facelift-for-mcgs- great-southern-stand-20100915-15bti.html> John Holland (2013). Melbourne Cricket Great Southern Stand. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from Reece (2009). The unsung heroes of the grand final. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from Jackson architecture (1992). Melbourne Cricket Ground- Great Southern Stand. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from MCG (2011). Great Southern Stand upgrade. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from VSL (2008). Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia. Retrieved on October 21st 2013 from MCG (2011). MCG Facts and Figures. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from Avac Australia pty ltd (1992). Draining the MCG-Avac Vacuum Drainage. Retrieved on 21st October 2013 from Read More

Installation of the pre-cast, post-tensioning beams (VSL, 2008). The structure, 324m long, was constructed using a precast post-tensioning floor system that incorporated 29,000m3 of concrete with 143 tonnes of post-tensioning steel. Precast post tensioning floor system (VSL, 2008). At the interface of the structural steel beams, are the post-tensioned connections that support the seating decks onto the main concrete support structure. This was achieved by using VSL CTA Stressbar tendons and stand tendons.

Also provided was the unprotected steel box girders cantilever that gave support to the second and third decks and also achieve full length sloping support to the top deck. The girders provided carry the pre-stressed concrete seating plates with the concrete frames connected longitudinally with pre-cast, post-tensioned beams. The structure is supported by 28 radial frames positioned at an average of 12 metres centres. The 28 frames are surmounted by bow shaped trusses of triangular cross-section cantilevering 27 metres.

The post-tensioned structural steel elements used were preferred due to the construction flexibility that they provide as well as erection speed and overall reduced structural costs. The roof area above each of the trusses was raised and overlapped with the main roof to provide pressure relief slots and reduce uplift. Used on the roof were threaded couplings in the mainstay bracing frame. These were used to provide a 2 mm tolerance adjustment with a half turn of the thread, and in this way, achieving relatively easy aerial assembly of members with pin ends.

Plans for upgrading the great southern stand were underway in 2011 with the upgrade expected to complete before the start of the 2013 AFL season. The project was to be run by Construction Engineering and funded by a $ 30 million and $25 million contributions from the Victorian government and Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) respectively. The project was to achieve improvement in the patron experience in all the four levels. The project was for improvement of the entry points at the gates 4, 5, 6, and 7 and was to achieve open, light spaces on the southern stand so that it matches the northern side of the stadium.

The upgrade was to cover kitchen upgrades, improved beverage and kitchen outlets, new toilet facilities as well as upgrades to several other existing areas like the Bunton, Wills and Legal rooms and creation of 500-seat function room to replace the nine corporate suites on Level 2 (MCG, 2011). Newly furnished guest rooms (MCG, 2011) 2. Facilities of the great southern stand Plumbing works The designers went an extra mile in ensuring that the drainage system works effectively. Due to its design and orientation, it was a challenge to adequately drain the seating plats.

Rain and spilled drinks would end up on the occupants of the lower levels. The stand was therefore equipped with a vacuum drainage system. Traditional downpipes were not sufficient and would block the view. The vacuum drainage system pulls waste waters back up transferring it to a grandstand core. The system comprises a PLC controlled vacuum centre with electronic field equipment and these work together to monitor and control the drainage as demanded by conditions in the plats. Piping for drainage (Avac Australia pty ltd (1992).

The upgrade increased capacity and in a much bigger way increased the plumbing works for the stadium. Great effort was however focused on recycling and energy conservation. The plumbing works is fitted with a pressure booster pump plant that ensures adequate water pressure for the times of high demand when the stadium hosts large crowds. There are overhead tanks in the upper levels of the great southern stand that feed all the toilets within the stand. The plumbing supports corporate suite and function room requirements, all catering requirements and the fire suppression system.

Keen attention was drawn to energy reduction, and to this effect, efficient lighting systems were installed, the building management system reviewed, cogeneration opportunities and sensor lighting.

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