Sunderland Royal Hospital

The precast concrete frame structure for the Sunderland Royal Hospital MSCP is designed as a braced frame, ensuring lateral stability. The lateral stability is provided by precast concrete stair cores and shear walls.

The building includes both a 3-storey and 4-storey structure, with key components such as multistorey columns, spine beams, spandrel beams, solid walls, and screeded hollowcore units in the car park. The floors are generally 400mm deep hollowcore units, with a 75mm structural topping. In the ramp area, the floor depth is reduced to 200mm to meet the required clear headroom.

• Roof structure - Arch steel beams with steel bracing fixed into precast concrete columns. External cladding: Fixed into precast concrete spandrel beams, columns, and stair cores (by others).

The vertical loads are transferred through the precast concrete slabs with a structural screed topping, supported by beams and solid walls. Main structural walls, including stair cores and walls along grid lines C and ramp, are typically 175mm to 200mm thick solid precast concrete. These walls support the slabs, landings, beams, and also contribute to the lateral stability system.

For horizontal load transfer, the design considers both wind load and notional horizontal load. In the permanent condition, the building is braced, with the stair cores, walls along grid C, and ramp walls as integral parts of the lateral stability system. Steel beams and bracing (provided by others) also contribute to this system. During the temporary erection condition, loads are transmitted through the precast concrete floors, walls, and beams with necessary propping.