GCG were responsible for the ground investigation and design of the basement walls and foundations taking into account the specific ground and loading conditions together with the site constraints arising from the urban location of the development. A dominant feature of the geotechnical design for the project was the presence of a 25m thick conglomerate layer which was both stiff and strong. This had a large effect on the choice and design of the substructure system. The geotechnical design was carried out in accordance with the principles of EC7.1 based largely on the assessment of the serviceability conditions using unfactored soil parameters.
GCG also carried our finite element analyses using the computing code ICFEP. The main objective of these analyses was to determine the behaviour of the retaining system and surrounding ground during construction of the basement and subsequent loading from the superstructure. The effects of temperature change in the temporary props, shrinkage of concrete in the long term and lateral loading from the superstructure were also investigated. GCGs involvement with the project continued until completion, in the later stages being largely confined to ensuring that results from extensive monitoring works were within the expected bounds.
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