A new composite flooring solution for the Leadenhall Building, UK

Abstract

The construction of the Leadenhall Building in London, UK has presented many challenges to the project team due to its distinct geometry and constrained city centre site. Conventional construction techniques would have resulted in a slow build programme, and caused major disruption to the local environment. Hence contractor Laing O’Rourke developed a new composite flooring solution for the project in collaboration with Arup and BRE, consisting of lightweight precast concrete elements that were dowelled and grouted together integrally with the supporting steelwork. This paper presents the new patented solution that was developed and the research and development that was undertaken to demonstrate its technical viability. Small-scale shear and bond tests, and large-scale load and dynamic testing were undertaken to demonstrate the system’s performance against the technical requirements defined for the project by the clients, British Land and Oxford Properties. Lessons learnt from manufacturing, installation and on-site dynamics testing are discussed.

Introduction

“…We kick off the issue with the development of a new composite flooring system installed in the iconic Leadenhall building in central London, UK (Stehle et al, 2015). If you stand on Fleet Street and look towards the east, you will be faced with one of the most iconic views in London; that of the spires of the Guild Church of St Martin and St Dunstan's Chapel framed against the Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.…”