EBRI is a £7m, three storey steel framed building located in the heart of the Aston University Birmingham campus which was completed in 2013. The building comprises industrial laboratories, offices and CHP engines in the basement and a Gasifier to research bio-fuels.
The building is a research facility investigating special kinds of feedstock, such as Algae, by cultivating them in Photo bio-reactors. Research is also carried out on test engines for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation, as well as Hydrogen production from synthesis gas out of the gasification process.
The project retains a listed Portico building that is to be reconfigured internally to transform it into a modern teaching and office facility. An intensive structural survey of the building was required, as the majority of the internal load-bearing walls were to be removed whilst retaining the floor structure and external facade.
The ground conditions dictated a piled substructure solution be adopted, with the use of bored piles to limit the vibration and subsequent damage to the Portico. A new plant room basement is to be cut into the ground, resulting in the need for reinforced concrete retaining walls.
The superstructure to the building comprises a steel frame to allow for future flexibility of internal spaces and precast concrete floor units to speed up the construction process. Traditional masonry cavity walls are to be utilised for the external walls, with a lime mortar to reduce shrinkage and limit the amount of movement joints (which would detract from the visual appearance of the building).
Gallery
Our Other Services
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering Innovation is at the heart of our approach to structural engineering. Shire were formed during 1988 in the belief that many clients were dissatisfied with the traditional reactive response of some Engineers.
Shire have a vast array of in-house design skills and expertise. Our dedicated telecoms team are often driving a gold design standard in the industry for others to follow. Our commitment is to provide quality design in a proactive, forward-thinking way & quickly! Our services also include site surveying, building analysis, tower analysis and line of sight surveys.
Shire originally started the geotechnical service to provide our own engineers with information on site, while the structural surveys were being carried out. This allowed us to offer a reactive, rapid response to our clients as a ‘one-stop shop’ for Design, Investigation and Construction.
As Structural Engineers, we have worked with the Property Insurance sector since 1998. We conduct structural inspections, impact damage analysis, specialist investigations and root cause analysis. All of which is engineer-led using straightforward language. Our experienced engineers are also asked to conduct Expert Reports and Expert Witness Service for homeowners and clients alike.
Shire offer a specialist building repair service registered under the Safe Contractor Accreditation and the Contractors Health & Safety Assessments schemes. In conjunction with our inspection & investigation services, we can offer a full solution from initial cause analysis through to structural repair.
