The construction complexities at the Marsa Sports Complex prompted the utilisation of precast elements, expediting construction and simplifying temporary works. With spans exceeding 11 meters and heights surpassing 8 meters, employing precast beams was an evident choice, further facilitated by the contractor’s expertise in this domain. Notably, the substantial heights necessitated designing the beams to remain unpropped during casting of the topping, minimising the need for extensive temporary support structures.
This design approach demanded meticulous attention to deflection considerations to adhere to design standards. Integrating a cast-in-situ portion ensured necessary tying during construction, enabling the beams to support concrete predalles and fresh concrete without additional support. The integration cast between precast beams above columns and the predalle topping established a compression zone to ultimately bear design loads during operational use.
