Bentley > Case Studies > WSP's Innovative Structural Solutions for One Blackfriars Tower

WSP's Innovative Structural Solutions for One Blackfriars Tower

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Routers & Bridges
Sensors - GPS

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Cement

Applicable Functions

Maintenance
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control
Structural Health Monitoring

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

WSP is a global engineering professional services firm that provides technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Energy sectors. In this case, they were appointed to provide structural modeling and engineering services for One Blackfriars, a mixed-use development in London. The project features a 50-story residential tower, an adjoining three-story podium housing a gym and retail facilities, and a boutique hotel with 161 rooms, all built over a three-story basement with a swimming pool, spa, and parking facilities.

The Challenge

WSP was tasked with providing structural solutions for the complex geometry of One Blackfriars Tower, a 50-story mixed-use development in London. The project site had varying depths and remnants of a previously demolished building, which posed significant challenges. The design also had to accommodate 274 apartments within the skyscraper, each with unique layouts and no repetition throughout the building. The team also had to design temporary on-site client facilities and ensure the structural integrity of the asymmetrically shaped tower. The project required a high level of collaboration with architects, clients, and contractors to deliver an elegant super-structure with spectacular views of London.

The Solution

WSP used Bentley’s RAM Concept and RAM Structural System to design the floor slabs for this geometrically complex building. The team used MicroStation to share 3D models and produce automated production drawings, which facilitated collaboration. The software allowed WSP to design a temporary three-story, steel-framed facility fitted with replica apartments to serve as the marketing suite. The team also used the software to design support columns that offered unobstructed views without intruding on the apartment spaces. The team modeled and designed 225-millimeter thick, post-tensioned concrete floor slabs, which proved the most cost-effective solution. Bentley’s interoperable technology optimized the column configuration and automatically generated arrangement drawings that were shared with the contractor for construction.

Operational Impact

The use of Bentley’s RAM software and MicroStation allowed WSP to overcome the complex challenges of the One Blackfriars project. The software enabled the team to design a temporary three-story, steel-framed facility, optimize the column configuration, and design thin, post-tensioned concrete floor slabs. The interoperability of Bentley technology facilitated collaboration and streamlined workflows, saving time and improving efficiency. The software also allowed the team to push the limits of structural design, providing innovative solutions for each bespoke room and floor. As a result, WSP was able to deliver an iconic landmark for London.

Quantitative Benefit

RAM Concept optimized optioneering to achieve a cost-effective structural solution within a short time period, saving the equivalent of five additional floor plates.
Bentley’s 3D technology coordinated modeling and streamlined workflows to save 50 percent in design time.
Bentley applications’ interoperability combined temporary and permanent works, increasing efficiency and reducing construction time.