kPa are appointed as temporary works engineer to John Weaver Construction for the saving of the former YMCA building. The striking building is an early work by one of Wales' most important architects, Sir Percy Thomas, who was also responsible for the Bute building in Cathays and the Guildhall in Swansea. The building is grade II listed and a striking landmark in Merthyr.
A significant part of the scheme was to carry out repairs to the ground floor columns which support the front elevation. To do this required complete support of the facade and the floors above, so that repair works could be carried out safely to this aging building.
The temporary works required a condition assessment of the upper dilapidated building to assess the ability to be properly supported together with computer modelling of the applied loads.
A site investigation was commissioned comprising of a borehole and trial pits. New foundations between existing were provided to temporarily transfer the loads to the competent bedrock at depth.
The temporary works consisted of temporary foundations, transfer beams, vertical Mass 25 props and raking stabilising props.
The temporary works were also jacked to take the weight of the building whilst the repairs were being undertaken and then the loads transferred back to the repaired and strengthen steel columns.
This was a major undertaking and sequencing of the works was critical to its success.
Other temporary works have been ongoing over the last couple of years as the remaining sections of the building were stabilised and made good.
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