Leeds Metropolitan University Portland Gate-Engineering

the Rosebowl, UK
Derek Roberts, MEng., CEng., MIStructE, MICE, Senior Struct. Eng.. Ove Arup and Partners Ltd. Sheffield, UK
and Neil Hooton, MEng., CEng., MIStructE, Associate, Ove Arup and Partners Ltd, Leeds, UK.
Contact: Derek. Roberts@aruP.com
DOI: 10.27 49/1 0168661 1X1 2910257 102118

Abstract
The Portland Gate development is a
new facility housing the School of Busi-
ness and Law at Leeds Metropolitan
University. A key feature of the build-
ing is the landmark steel-framed "Rose-
bowl". This freestanding structure lies
partially within the main atrium space
and houses seven lecture theatres.
The 25 m tall Rosebowl is supported
on bespoke double storey Y-columns,
each weighing between 3 and 5 t.These
triangular tapered profile sections pro-
vide horizontal stability and vertical
support to the diagrid structure above.
This paper follows this unique struc-
ture through the design, fabrication
and erection process. This includes a
review of the global buckling assess-
ment of the Rosebowl and the detailing
and fabrication of the architecturally Fig. 1:Photograph of Rosebowl as viewedfrom the ])u.ii, tottrr|ttrd (Photocredit: Giles
Rocholl)
exposed sway elements.
Keywords: conceptual design; sway The University had high aspira- the ba:e uhich supports the diagrid
frame; diagrid; buckling analysis;
tions when setting the sustainability struciure above.
fabrication.
agenda on Leeds Met Portland Gate. A series ol walkways cross a Public
Introduction The team met these goals through a atriunr. u hich allows daylight to penetrate
number of strategic level design deci- to the centre of the building, and links
Leeds Metropolitan University (the sions-including the incorporation of the lecture theatres to the four-storey
University/Leeds Met) has procured a a combined heat and power system, perinrci, r accommodation housing
new faculty building for the School of rainwater harvesting and recycling of
oHicc: .inJ tcaching spaces. The treat-
Business and Law through a two stage demolition waste. The development ment of the elevation and the scale of the
RIBA stage D tendered design and as a whole focused on the appropri-
neu school respond to the architectural
build process. (The Royal Institute of ate use of sustainable materials and rhr thnr oi the Civic Hall, opposite.
British Architects Stage D is described achieved 25ok recycled content overall.
ss Scheme Design/Detailed Propos- In addition, the development achieved The eir-r'ations to the main faculty
als and is approximately equivalent to its target BREEAM Excellent rating buildins ate clad in stone, transparent
(Environmental Assessment Method qlass ;ind pressed metal spandrel pan-
Detailed Design (DD) proposals under
American designations ). for buildings around the world). els.The central Rosebowl is clad in 795
semi-translucent triangulated cladding
The Portland Gate development pro- The building takes its name from the elements uith fritting in front of the
vides l2 0U0 m2 of floor area compris- dramatic form of the tapering central niirlt,rcd back. Thi: lreatment soft-
ing offices, general teaching, lecture pod, the Rosebowl (Fig. l), at the heart
eried the overall surface of the geomet-
theatres. restaurants and break-out of the complex. The Rosebowl is recto- ric lacetted oanel setout which curved
spaces. In addition, car parking is pro- circular on plan (a flattened ellipse in line u'ith ihe form of the structure.
vided within the three-level basement. with semicircular ends) and stands
The Portland Gate project responds 24 m wide by 28 m long and 23.5 m
to the University's aspirations that the tall. This structure houses the main 150 Concept Design
new development should help inte- seat lecture theatre as well as trio 1J0
grate the University within the wider seat and four 60 seat lecture theatres. The Rosebowl pod was conceived as

context of its location, and further link A perimeter ring of 7.5 m tall Y-shaped the central feature of the development.
the campus with the Leeds city centre. tree columns form a swav frame at The main faculty building plan of the

26 Technical Report Structural Engineering International U20Il

Portland Gate development mirrors
that of the adjacent Civic Hall horse-
shoe building, and creates an urban
courtyard. The majority of this space is
for public access, but the introduction
of the covered atrium area within the
Portland Gate development defines a
semi-public circulation and congrega-
tion area within the school building.
The Rosebowl is situated on the
interface between these two spaces,
creating a public face to the develop-
ment whilst housing lecture theatres
used for a range of public and private
events. The Rosebowl is susoended
above the ground level to prouide an
open-plan information/IT hub within
the atrium area. As such, the Rosebowl
and atrium spaces are positioned cen-
trally and provide the majority of the
shared facilities. whilst the individual
faculty teaching and research accom-
modation wraps around this area.
The diagrid concept was chosen so
that the structural form followed the
complex cladding outline. The diagrid
increased the available internal area
by removing any need for internal
bracing and minimised the cost of the
expensive bespoke glazing by provid-
ing a constant connection interface
between the primary structure and the
cladding bracketry, without the need
for a secondary support system.
The diagrid structure was originally
designed to be supported by V-shaped
columns, providing a braced ring to
ground around the perimeter of the
structure. Architecturally, there were
concerns that this visually interrupted
the free-flowing open-plan space and
gave an aesthetic reminiscent of a
cooling tower. The design was devel-
oped with input from the City Archi-
tect to arrive at the final form. The
V-detail was lifted to the first level,
and vertical elements introduced
below to free up ground level space,
creating the final tree profile of the
Y-shaped columns.
The centre line of the Y-columns is
splayed to provide the columns with
a flat back face'. a decision made pri-
marily to simplify fabrication and
transportation. This also prescribed a
smooth profile to the virtual internal
space defined by the columns.
The Y-columns and diagrid above are
set out to two radial grids with a hori-
zontal node spacing of approximately
4 m, varying to suit the taper of the
Rosebowl profile. By maintaining the
angular setout, the number of different
node types was minimised.
Structural Engineering International
Internally, two spine beams allowed a
reduced structural depth to be formed
between them in the central 2,4 m of the
Rosebowl.This formed the main mechan-
ical horizontal sewice distribution with
branches being taken off through perfo-
rations in the 10 t spine beams.
Detailed Analysis/Design
Interaction with the Bqsement
Transfer Structure
The Rosebowl is supported over the
three-storey basement car park. The
rectilinear column grid within the
car park and the recto-circular plan
arrangement of columns for the Rose-
bowl are reconciled through a system
of reinforced concrete transfer beams.
These elements are relatively shallow
at 700 to 800 mm depth. The 15 m tall
diagrid structure above the Y-columns
is therefore an order of magnitude
stiffer and redistributes the loadings
from the basement capping slab and
the Rosebowl structure towards the
stiffer.points of support.
Ths amount of redistribution that
can occur is dependent on the con-
struction and loading sequence. A
reasonable proportion of the loading
is applied prior to the diagrid system
gaining enough stiffness to provide
truss action. and therefore these forces
are locked into the reinforced con-
crete transfer structure as construction
progresses.
To account for this, the support con-
ditions were modelled both at upper
bound, as fixed pins, and at lower
bound where the transfer was mod-
elled explicitly with appropriately
reduced cracked section stiffnesses.
This provided an envelope of analysis
results for which the Rosebowl steel
structure and concrete transfer were
designed.
Globul Buckling Analysis
The Rosebowl diagrid structure is lat-
erally restrained by the sway legs in
the north to south direction. Initial siz-
ing of these sway elements was deter-
mined using the "relative stiffness
effective length" assessment contained
within Annex E of BS5950r-deliver-
ing an effective length of 2,2 times the
length of the trunk of the Y-columns.
Annex E makes the assumption that the
stiffness of the lateral restraint of the
system is effectively infinite. In reality,
each individual Y-column is restrained
bv the frames in the other direction.
U20ll
Restraint is applied at varying levels
around the perimeter of the Rosebowl.
Typically, this occurs either at mid-height
or full height of the Y-columns, but in a
few cases occurs at level 3. This is 3,9 m
above the top of the columns, and is the
first level of continuous floor diaphragm.
The stiffness of the restraints is there-
fore not infinite and is difficult to quatify.
A complete global buckling analysis of
the structure was therefore undertaken.
A buckling model was produced in
a Finite Element software and this
modelled the whole diagraid struc-
ture and sway stability legs. The focus
of the analysis was on the support-
ing sway structure and accompanying
diagrid.
The in-house-developed analysis
method modified the geometric stiff-
ness of the structure based on the axial
loads in a given ultimate limit state, and
then carried out a modal analysis on
this revised geometrical matrix. Each
buckled mode shape was assessed to
derive a buckled effective length of
the system and a probable magnitude
of the Euler imperfection. The results
were then amolified to account for
these effects and combined with the
p- A analysis results to arrive at the
local forces within the members.
The comparative result of this analysis
concluded that the effective length of
the sway columns was approximately
2,4 times the trunk height and the sys-
tem had a minimum l" critical of 4,9.
When compared to the Annex E assess-
ment, the effect of assessing the stiff-
ness of the restraint provided a modest
increase in section forces, confirming
the architect's desired section sizes.
I{owever, as part of the value engineer-
ing proposals put forward, the size of
the bespoke triangular sections were
marginally increased to reduce section
wall thickness, weld size requirements
and tonnage. The benefit was partially
derived from the step changes in the
allowable yield stress of steel associ-
ated with different plate thicknesses in
B55950, but more importantly with the
additional geometrical stiffness resis-
tance that the size change provided
against buckling.
Y-Column Weld and Node Design
The main analysis models define
the Y-columns as a stepped profile
of one-dimensional (1D) finite ele-
ments. The sections were offset to
account for the increasing eccentricity
towards the node point. generated by
Technical Report 27
 the requirement to keep the back face
flush. The force data sets were then
compared directly with the local ele-
ment capacities in the regular manner
and plate thicknesses were optimised.
To define the weld capacity require-
ments between the individual plates and
the central node location. a comolete Y-
column was generaled as a two-dimen-
sional (2D) element shell. Stiffenine
plates were designed in the node posi
tion by an iterative process between
the fabricator and the consultant engi-
neer. This deliverecl a practical plate
affangement and direct loadpath for
this intersection, where three directional
moments and shears had to be resolved.
The process included the mock-up of a
full node to test the fabricarion process
and aesthetic qualities of the section.
Weld sizes were approximated by hand
calculation for each of the Y-columns.
The final 2D element shell includins
stiifening plates was then inserted into
the buckling analysis model and used
to confirm these weld sizes at each
plate interface (see Fig 2).
Fabrication
The Y-columns were fabricated in Ire-
land, with a test node beins carried out
(a) (b)
i
I
@)
Fig' 2: (a) Buckling analysis model o,f Rosebowt; (b) primary buckled modeshape of Rosebowl
column node in model; (d) fabricator's 3D visualisation of node plate aruangement; (e) node
28 Technical Report
to prove the process. Prepped plates
were produced and aligned in a jig
with a track-mounted submerged arc
welder positioned over Lhe loneitudi-
nal weld lines.This allowed rhe sisniii-
cant partial penetration butt welds for
plates up to 55 mm to be carried out in
either a single or a double pass.
The welds were ground flush, and the
steel was passed through the blasting
process for a second time, makins the
weld locations indistinguishable Trom
the parent material apart from some
heat-induced discolouration.
Each branch and trunk element of the
tree columns was then positioned in a
further rotatable jig so fhar all welding
could be carried out downhand (i.e.
below the operator). The internal piat-
ing arrangement derived by the con-
sultant was maintained and develooed
through lhe test node, enabling the
fabricator to modify the plate t"qu.n.-
ing to ease fabrication and improve the
final aesthetic.
Erection
The Portland Gate development was
primaiily erected using two tower
cranes. Crawler cranes were utilised to
install the perimeter Y-columns which
structure; (c) close up of 2D plate y-
mock-up in fabrication
Structural Engineering International
required accurate positioning of these
3 to 5 t elements at the far reach of the
allocated tower cranes.
The level 1 and 2 floor systems make
up the support for the main split level
lecture theatre and provide lateral
restraint to separate halves of the Rose-
bowl floor plate (see Flg. 3).This makes
it difficult to stabilise the Y-columns
in the temporary stage until the struc-
ture reaches level 3 and all Y-columns
are tied into a solid floor olate. In
ljne with the engineers' duties under
the CDM2 Regulations, a detailed
constructron sequence was drawn up
between the consultant and the con-
tractor. The four central non-sway
columns were braced in all directions
during the temporary condition to pro-
vide a solid stable core. The surround-
ing structure was then tied back to this
core until sufficient permanent work
traming was in place for the structure
to be self-stable. The east-west bracing
was maintained as part of the perma-
nent solution at one level as a means of
maintaining lateral restraint.
Cladding Interfaces
The outrvard taper to the Rosebowl
and its complex geometry required
(c)
1l20ll

Fig. 3: Rosebowl erection photographs showing the Y-columns and stepped diaphragm
olanes
Fig. 4:Y-column to diagrid connection
includin g claddin g b r ac ketry)
careful consideration and control of
the movements and tolerances of the
structure, to enable both its own erec-
tion and the attachment and detailing
of the cladding.
The Rosebowl is a standalone struc-
ture positioned partially within the
atrium space, and the relative move-
ments of the Rosebowl and adjacent
faculty building required to be articu-
lated in the cladding system. A sup-
porting frame of hot-rolled secondary
Fig.5: Multidisciplinary engineering Building Information Model (BIM) rendering
showing the structure behind the triangulated cladding
Structural Engineering International U2011
steelwork was derived to move the
atrium glazing movement interface
away from the facetted face of the
Rosebowl. Relative movements were
then taken up by a combination of
conventional joints and articulated
rotating piers at the roof level.
The Rosebowl Y-column setout was
aligned with the atrium vertical glaztng
interface to allow the glazing to fly past
the mid-bay alignment of the structure,
avoiding a difficult and expensive clad-
ding interface with the triangular steel
sections (Figs. 4 and 5).
A detailed study and report into the
progressive movement of the structure
during construction, combined with
careful detailing and precise fabrication,
allowed the structure and cladding to
be installed without additional require-
ments for packing or remedial work.
Conclusion
The Rosebowl lecture theatre Pod
makes a strong architectural contribu-
tion to the fabric of Leeds city centre
with its landmark feature cladding and
Y-shaped tree column support.
The design, fabrication and erection of
the structure provided many engineer-
ing challenges, both in technical terms
and in the detailed coordination with
the complex cladding interfaces and
mechanical distribution.
Through rationalisation of detailing
and use of advanced analysis tech-
niques, the required complex architec-
tural form was achieved with a high
quality of finish on a relatively modest
budget.
The building provides a flexible and
functional internal space which the
end client, Leeds Metropolitan Uni-
versity, has adopted as a centrepiece to
the city centre campus.
Acknowledgements
The authors are pleased to acknowledge the
efforts of the whole team in delivering the
integrated multidisciplinary design and con-
struction of the Rosebowl. In particular we
would like to thank Arup Fellow Pat Dallard
and also the fabricator. Fisher, for their input
into the design process.
References
[1] British National Standard 855950-1:2000
Structural use of Steelwork in Building Part l:
Code of Practice for Design-Rolled andWelded
Sections-Annex E-Effective Lengths of
Compression Members in Continuous Sttuctures'
British Standards Institute: London, UK.
[2] UK Statutory Instruments 2007 No. 320.
Health and Safety: The Construction (Design
and Management) Regulations 2007 Crown
Copyright.
SEI Data Block
Owner:
Leeds Metropolitan UniversitY
Structural engineer:
Ove Arup and Partners, Yorkshire
Services engineer:
Ove Arup and Partners, Yorkshire
Architect:
Sheppard Robson, Manchester
Main contractor:
BAM Northern (UK)-Leeds
Steel fabricator:
Fisher Engineering-Northern Ireland
Cladding contractor:
Seele GmbH & Co. KG
Approximate const ruct ion
value (EUR million): 31
Service date: May 2009
Technical Report 29