Journalists have reported on how the Shard is believed to be the world’s first skyscraper to use a top-down construction method for its structural core.
The basement, including the core, will be constructed from the ground floor down at the same time as the 80-storey structure is constructed from the ground floor up.
WSP Cantor Seinuk director Kamran Moazami said: “We were intending to build the core bottom up, but it was taking too long. Instead we’re going for a top down strategy including the core.”
Top-down construction for basements from ground level is a common design solution for constrained sites where storage is an issue. On the Shard, following the installation of the piles and basement plunge columns, the ground floor slab will be built, creating a surface for the storage of materials while construction of the basement continues beneath.
The tower is being built by contractor Mace for Sellar Property Group and it is designed by architect Renzo Piano.
John Parker, Technical Director WSP Buildings
WSP United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7314 4627 / +44 (0)79 7628 6531
E-post: john.parker@wspgroup.com