Australia Technical College

MPC provided structural and civil design and documentation services for a new $4 million technical college project for the Australian Government.

This project included the construction of a major workshop and teaching facility along with several classroom buildings. The site is located in undeveloped Maitland farmlands with significant exposure to the elements with large open fields surrounding the development. This area was therefore subject to experiencing high wind loadings which required careful assessment in both design and during construction for bracing and tie down requirements. Portions of the site were also located in the Maitland flood plains, plus the site clay reactivity required a high movement foundation design classification.

The design of the workshop building was undertaken using precast panels bearing on reinforced concrete bored piles. The roof structure was designed as a structural steel diaphragm providing stability and eliminating the need for external perimeter columns. This solution allowed simplicity in the internal fitout of the building plus allowed for speed of construction.

The classroom buildings were designed and constructed using a combination of timber piles and waffle pod foundations.

Stormwater design works were also undertaken to the requirements of Maitland City Council. Design philosophy was to provide site detention for all storms up to and including the 1 in 100 year event.