SpanWri ght SpanWright Case Study
Andrew Miller Contractors Ltd -
TESCO Express, Llantwit Fardre- Block/Timber Frame Project
CLIENT: Andrew Miller Contractors Ltd, Pontypridd, Wales CF37 5BP LOCATION: Main Road, Llantwit Fardre, Nr Pontypridd, Sth Wales CF38 2LT COMPLETION DATE: JUNE 2011 SECTOR: Retail
AM Contractors Ltd are Construction and Civil Engineering Contractors. They specialise in commercial and domestic developments in the South Wales area. The original business, set up in 1999, focused on Civil Engineering, Construction, Demolition and Plant Hire. Having developed the construction arm of the business in 2001, they now have a reputation for providing a competitive, quality service with an impressive track record of contracts for blue chip companies.
ABOUT THE PROJECT SpanWright UK were selected by AM Contractors to supply and fit at first floor level on this TESCO, Alexandra Terrace project. The retail giant employing over 492,000 worldwide, including 2715 stores in the UK (tescoplc.com), opened the Express store in June 2011. The mixed use retail and residential project on a redeveloped site includes apartments at first floor level.
PROJECT CHALLENGES The Architectural Design of the TESCO building specified a Timber Frame (TF) for the apartments on the upper level. An external split level section of the building acting externally as a walking area required a slab to accommodate roof loadings. SpanWright UK, accommodating the loadings for the TF, incorporated heavy strand steel pattern in planks for the central bays of the building in manufacture. Prestressed planks were prepared with rebated ends for fitting into a steel frame to support the TF. Prestressed planks on the perimeter of the building were manufactured to include solid ends in order to affix TF. A FLAT PLATE (FP) option was utilised as the best option for the building section requiring roof loadings. 100mm Solid FP placed to a fall with 75mm non structural screed produced inherent high density in the FP which in this case acted as a noise barrier. Internal ceiling & services loadings and external snow and paving slabs requirements were accommodated.