TILAL MALL & HOTEL – SHARJAH, U.A.E.

Structures Briefing Document

NOVEMBER 2017
Version control
PROJECT NAME: TILAL MALL & HOTEL
PROJECT NUMBER: MU001486

Issue Revision No. Date Issued Description of Revision: Comment Reviewed by:

Author Checker Approver

First Issue Draft 15 October 2017 - SN MC MC

First Issue Draft 07 November 2017 - SN BAJ MC

V
TILAL MALL & HOTEL – SHARJAH, U.A.E.

CONTENTS V

VERSION CONTROL ..................................................................................... 1 

1  STRUCTURES BRIEFING REPORT.................................................... 3 

1.1  The Proposed Development and Existing Site ........................................................ 3 
1.1.1  Proposed Development ............................................................................................ 3 
1.2.2  Codes and Standards ............................................................................................... 4 
1.2.3  Materials ................................................................................................................... 4 
1.2.4  Loading ..................................................................................................................... 5 
1.2.5  Groundwater Uplift and Hydrostatic Loads ............................................................... 5 
1.2.6  Thermal Loading ....................................................................................................... 6 
1.2.7  Building Durability ..................................................................................................... 6 
1.3  Acceptance Parameters ............................................................................................. 6 
1.3.1  Fire Resistance ......................................................................................................... 6 
1.3.2  Deflections ................................................................................................................ 6 
1.3.3  Horizontal sway......................................................................................................... 7 
1.3.4  Vibration .................................................................................................................... 7 
1.4  Structural System ....................................................................................................... 7 
1.4.1  Lateral Stability Systems........................................................................................... 7 
1.4.2  Vertical Gravity Systems ........................................................................................... 7 
1.4.3  Horizontal Floor Systems .......................................................................................... 7 
For heavy loaded area the thickness of slab/beam can be increased according to the design requirement. 7 
1.4.4  Foundations .............................................................................................................. 7 
1.4.5  Building Movement Joints ......................................................................................... 7 
1.5  Modelling Philosophy ................................................................................................. 7 
1.5.1  ULS Model for column design. .................................................................................. 7 

1.5.2  Stability Model........................................................................................................... 8 

1.5.3  Thermal analysis Model ............................................................................................ 8 
1.5.4  Early age thermal analysis ........................................................................................ 8 

1.5.5  Modelling of slabs and beams .................................................................................. 8 

1.5.6  Modelling of walls and link beams ............................................................................ 9 
1.5.7  Modelling of slab and wall penetrations .................................................................... 9 

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1 Structures Briefing Report

1.1 The Proposed Development and Existing Site
1.1.1 Proposed Development
The project site is located within the Juwaizea Development Masterplan, which is situated adjacent to the E611 highway
in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Tilal Mall and Hotel site is planned for a semi-circular plot of land fronting a main road of the development which
runs parallel to the E611 corridor. The plans for the project site include the following structures:

 Mall - 2 storey superstructure with 1 level of basement (1B+G+1+Roof). Estimated approximate GFA = 157,940m2
 Hotel – 8 and 9 storey mid-rise tower with 1 level of basement (B+G+8/9+Roof). Estimated approximate GFA =
5,544m2
 Carparking- 4 story carparking (G+3+Roof). Estimated approximate GFA = 179,625m2

FIG 1-2 OVERVIEW PLAN OF THE TILAL MALL, HOTEL AND CARPARKING

FIG 1-3 INITIAL ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING OF PROJECT (HOTEL NOT SHOWN)

FIG 1-1 LOCATION OF JUWAIZEA DEVELOPMENT SITE IN SHARJAH

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TILAL MALL & HOTEL – SHARJAH, U.A.E.
 BS 8002 Earth Retaining Structures
 BS 8102 Protection of Structures Against Water from the Ground
 BS 8110 Structural Use of Concrete – All parts
 BS 8007 Design of Concrete Structures for Retaining Aqueous Liquids
 BS 5950 Structural Use of Steelwork in Building – All parts
 BS 5628 Use of Masonry
 BS 6399 Loading for Buildings – All parts
 BS 648 Schedule of Weights of Building Materials
 BS EN ISO 12944 Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures by Protective Paint Systems
 UBC 97 Uniform Building Code
 IBC International Building Code

In addition to the above the following design guides / advice will be referred to:

 CIRIA Report 91/660 Early-Age Thermal Crack Control in Concrete

 CIRIA Report 139 Water Resisting Basements
 CIRIA/Concrete Society Guide to the Design of Concrete Structures in the Arabian Peninsula

1.2.3 Materials
1.2.3.1Steel Reinforcement
Reinforcement bars are to be in accordance with BS 4449: Specification for carbon steel bars for the
reinforcement of concrete or the equivalent American Standard.
FIG 1-4 INITIAL ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING OF THE HOTEL
Welded wire fabric is to be in accordance with BS 4483: Specification for steel fabric for the reinforcement
of concrete or the equivalent American Standard.
1.2 Structural Design Parameters
The following design strength shall be used for the design of reinforcement:
1.2.1 Design Parameters
 High Yield, Fy = 460 N/mm² (BS4449 or the equivalent American Standard). The shear strength of
The concept design has been undertaken based upon the following design parameters. These will be
reinforcement to be restricted to 420N/mm2 according to ACI 318
reviewed as the design evolves, more information will be added and information from other design
disciplines will be integrated when it becomes available.
Reinforcement will be detailed as appropriate to ensure ductility for the seismic load condition.
1.2.2 Codes and Standards
1.2.3.2Concrete
All structural elements are to be designed in accordance with the applicable requirements and
recommendations of the reference codes and standards, to meet or exceed the specified performance. Concrete is to conform to ACI318M: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. Unless noted
The requirements and recommendations of these codes and standards are to be regarded as minimum otherwise concrete is to be normal-weight, with a typical dry density of 2500kg/m3.
criteria, and the designers will utilise the values specified within this document, where these prove more
Concrete to be used on the project is to achieve the 28-day strength (cylinder/cube) as nominated below.
onerous.
Reference Codes and Standards (latest editions and amendments): TABLE 1-1 PROJECT CONCRETE GRADES
Element Concrete Strength (Cylinder/Cube)
 ACI318M Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
Superstructure Slabs/Beams 40/50 N/mm2
 ACI224R-01 Control of Cracking in Concrete Structures
 ACI352 Recommendations for Beam-Column Joints in Monolithic RCC Hotel Columns/Walls 50/60 N/mm2
Structures Mall/Carpark Columns/Walls 50/60 N/mm2
 ACI435R-95 Control of Deflection in Concrete Structures External Retaining Walls 40/50 N/mm²
 AISC 360 American Institute of Steel Construction
Foundation 40/50N/mm2
 ASCE 7 Minimum Design Load for Buildings and Other Structures
Blinding Concrete 20 N/mm2
 BS 8004 Foundations

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Piles 40/50 N/mm2

Watertight concrete is to be designed, detailed and constructed in accordance with BS 8007 or the equivalent Superimposed Dead and Live Loading
American Standard. Plasticizing or pore-blocking admixtures will be considered in the specification as deemed
appropriate. It is expected that a triple blend concrete mix using OPC/GGBS(PFA)/SF will be used as a minimum for Superimposed Dead Loads are based on the Architect’s and MEP requirements as appropriate.
all concrete in direct contact with the ground.
Live load requirements are based on building uses required by a building occupier. Account has also been
taken of specific equipment loading requirements including vibration effects of equipment, building
1.2.3.3Masonry
maintenance and cleaning equipment and construction requirements.
Masonry is to conform ACI 530-11 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures,
Allowance has been made for the superimposed dead and live loading, refer to Structural Loading
it shall not be used in any load bearing applications.
Schedule issued as part of initial drawings/ REVIT model.
It is assumed that all masonry will be laid in a class (iii) mortar and will have the following minimum
compressive strengths: Lateral Loading
1.2.4.2Wind Loading
 Standard Format Bricks (general)  22 N/mm2 
The wind loads for the project has been determined in accordance with ASCE 07 Chapter 6, based on a
 Solid Concrete Blocks    7 N/mm2 
basic wind speed (3 sec gust) of 45m/s as per authority requirements.
 Hollow Concrete Blocks                7 N/mm2 
1.2.4.3Seismicity
1.2.3.4Structural Steel
Sharjah is located in a seismic region, and as such additional vertical and lateral accelerations of the
Structural steel is to conform to AISC 360 - American Institute of Steel Construction and the structure will be considered as appropriate. Provisions for seismicity are noted in Section 4.2.4.
comprehensive ASTM suite of codes associated with Material Grade.
We have currently considered the seismic load for the buildings as follows in line with authority
 Material of thickness ≤20mm     S275 JO   requirements:
 Material of thickness >20mm     S275 JR    Car Park – Zone 2B based on UBC’97 
 Material of thickness >40mm, ≤90mm   S275 J2 Z35   Mall ‐ Zone 2B based on UBC’97 
 Hollow sections                       S355 JOH J25   Hotel – Zone 2B based on UBC’97 
1.2.4 Loading
 Refer the soil report for the soil classification for the seismic design.  
Loadings, where not specified by the client, have been assessed in accordance with relevant codes,  The  structure  can  be  designed  as  building  frame  system  with  R  value  5.5  in  accordance  with 
standards and Sharjah Municipality requirements. Any client specific loading guidelines shall be provided UBC’97. Since R value of 5.5 is adopted 100% seismic load must be carried by shear walls in each 
prior to the initiation of the Structural Detailed Design phase.
direction. The modelling philosophy adopted must be in accordance with the above‐mentioned 
1.2.4.1Gravity Loading philosophy. 
 Response spectrum analysis must be incorporated in the seismic design of the structure. The 
Dead Loading dynamic base shear must be scaled up to 100% static base shear in to satisfy Sharjah Municipality 
requirements. 
Dead loads are to be calculated in accordance with BS 648 or the equivalent American Standard. As a
guide the following dead load allowances may be assumed where appropriate:  To account the torsional effects semirigid diaphyagn must be adopted in the ETABS model. 
 Torsional irregularity must be amplified if require in accordance with UBC’97. 
TABLE 1-2 MATERIAL WEIGHTS  The seismic drift can be calculated for the load combination including dead load, live load and 
Material kg/m3 seismic load. 
Reinforced concrete 2500
1.2.4.4Earth Pressures
Structural steelwork 7850
Masonry (dense block partitions) 2200 The design earth density will be in accordance with details provided in the geotechnical report.

Tarmac 2400 In general, a nominal 15 kPa surcharge live load would be considered for retaining walls design unless
Sand / cement screed 2300 otherwise specified.
Plaster 1700 1.2.5 Groundwater Uplift and Hydrostatic Loads
Glass 2700
Please refer the geotechnical report for the ground water level.
Natural Stone (Granite) 2750
Soil / landscape fill 2000

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1.2.6 Thermal Loading 1.3 Acceptance Parameters

The overall development of mall measures approximately 500m X 200m and car park measures around 1.3.1 Fire Resistance
500X60.Since the plan size of both the structure is large, it will experience both early age and long term
thermal strains. As provided in the initial structural drawings, building movement joints have been 1.3.1.1Fire Rating
proposed to separate the building into isolated areas to help in the control of thermal and shrinkage strains
within the horizontal elements. The Mall structure has been split into 4 separate blocks, while the Hotel Element fire ratings are subject to the requirements nominated by the FLS consultant. For design
Tower is also separated with a building joint. Maximum zone measures approximately 180m x 140m. The purposes the following structural fire resistance periods (FRP) listed in Table 14.13 have been considered.
car park also split in to three zones as shown in the structural drawings.
TABLE 1-5 FIRE RESISTANCE PERIODS
Pour strips must be be provided in the design drawings to minimize the risk of cracking due to early age
shrinkage of the concrete. Element Podium/ Basement Residential Floors
Columns 2hrs 2hrs
A temperature difference of 25 degree celsious can be considered at roof level, 20 degree celsious at
typical level and 15 degree celsious at basement level for the temperature analysis of the structure. Walls 2hrs 2hrs
Floor Slabs 2hrs 2hrs

1.2.7 Building Durability 1.3.1.2Structural Steelwork

1.2.7.1Concrete Structure Durability Protection is to be provided for the FRP, following the requirements of BS5950 and AISC 360. This
The concrete structural elements will be designed for the durability requirements of ACI318M and protection is generally in the form of a fire rated enclosure or proprietary intumescent paint system. Where
considering it as a normal structure based on Section 3.2.3 of CIRIA document “Guide to the Design of appropriate and accepted by the authorities, exposed steelwork will be analysed for fire exposure
Concrete Structures in the Arabian Peninsula”. according to the fire engineering principles presented in the Steel Construction Institute publication “Fire
protection for structural steel in buildings”.
Concrete cover to reinforcement, maximum permitted crack widths and minimum specified cement
contents will be in accordance with the durability requirements of ACI318 and where necessary for areas 1.3.2 Deflections
subject to hydrostatic loading to BS8007 or the equivalent American Standard for watertight concrete.
The concrete structural systems are to be designed to satisfy BS8110 and ACI 435R-05, Control of
These design values will be selected for the environmental exposure expected and will be further
Deflection in Concrete Structures.
supplemented by the specific requirements of the regional specific document noted above.
The steel structural systems are to be designed to satisfy BS5950 and AISC 360.
TABLE 1‐3 DESIGN CRACK WIDTHS
Crack Width Limit In general, the structural design will comply with the following deflection limits, and all finishes, cladding,
Internal face 0.3mm services, etc. will need to be detailed to accommodate the movements indicated below:
External face and elements in contact with soil/water 0.2mm
Slabs and Beams
TABLE 1‐4 CONCRETE COVER TO REINFORCEMENT
 Dead and live loads Span/250
Concrete Cover
 Live load Span/360
Foundations, Retaining Walls, Buried Slabs (most
severe exposure)
Slabs and Beams under Glass Partitions
Raft/pile cap bottom cover (over pile head) 75mm
Raft/pile cap top face 50mm  Live Loads Span/500
External concrete surface cast against soil 75mm  Total Deflection Span/500
 Cladding + Live Load Span/500
External concrete surface cast against 50mm
formwork/blinding
Internal Face (mild External Face (severe
Cantilevers
exposure) exposure)  Dead and live loads = span/125
Floors (Single span) 35mm 40mm  Live load = span/175
Floor (Multiple span) 25mm 40mm  Cladding + Glazed elements = span/360
Beams (Single Span) 40mm 40mm  Differential deflection between any two floors = ±20 mm
Beams (multiple span) 30mm 40mm

Columns 30mm 40mm

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1.3.3 Horizontal sway 1.4.3 Horizontal Floor Systems

All finishes, cladding, services, etc. will need to be detailed to accommodate the movements indicated TABLE 1-6 SUMMARY OF FLOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR TYPICAL AREAS OF MALL
below:
BLDG Level Floor Solution Floor Floor Details
Constru
Wind Loads ction
Based on the appropriate wind return periods: Roof One-way Slab and RC Generally, 275mm thk slab with 1000mm W x
Beam System 650mm D beams,
 Horizontal sway/deflection will typically limited to H/500, where H is the height of the building. Mall

 Storey drift will be limited storey height/500 for any floor. Level 1 One-way Slab and RC Generally, 275mm thk slab with 1000mm W x
Beam System 650mm D beams
Mall
Seismic
Mall Ground Flat Slab with Drop RC Generally, 300mm thk slab with 450 mm deep
Minimum UBC sway requirements to be followed for seismic events. Floor Panels drop panels.
1.3.4 Vibration Car Park Roof Flat slab with Drop RC Generally, 250mm thk slab with 400mm deep
Whilst vibration is generally not sensed by the pedestrian it may be perceptible and sometimes considered Panel drop panels.
unacceptable by building users. Guidelines on acceptable levels of floor vibrations are published in a Car Park Typical Flat slab with Drop RC Generally, 225mm thk slab with 400mm deep
number of documents as a function of the intended use of the floor. General practice is that a suitable floor Panel drop panels
control of vibration is achieved by a structure that has a natural frequency of 5Hz and above and with the
response factor less than 8. Hotel Roof Flat slab RC 300mm RC slab with or without drop panel
according to the structural zone
The natural frequency is calculated using the self-weight of the slab, ceiling and services, screed and 10%
imposed loads, representing the permanent loads and the floor. Hotel Roof Flat slab RC 250mm RC slab with or without drop panel
according to the structural zone
The approach adopted in the development of the structural design is to limit the vibration levels of the
local elements of structure due to footfall impact to the following: For heavy loaded area the thickness of slab/beam can be increased according to the design requirement.

 Floor slabs and associated beam elements: 5.0 Hz; 1.4.4 Foundations
 Staircases: 7.0 Hz; Since the bearing capacity of soil s quite good pad footings can be provided for mall and car park.
 Transfer structures: 5.0 Hz. However, for hotel it may require raft or piles foundation. Refer soil investigation report for more details.

The above limits apply to local elements of floor and wall structures on the basis that the energy introduced 1.4.5 Building Movement Joints
by footfall impact would not be sufficient to excite larger sections of the primary structure. Building joints have been adopted within the mall structure to account for the effects of, and limit the
impact of temperature changes across the large floorplate footprint. Preferable width of movement joint
1.4 Structural System is provided below. The movement width must be determined based on inelastic movement of buildings
in according to UBC- ‘97
1.4.1 Lateral Stability Systems
The lateral stability of the structure for mall, carpark and Hotel is achieved by the combination of shear  Retail Levels – Ground and L1: 100mm
walls and core walls in the structure.  Roof Level: 150mm

1.4.2 Vertical Gravity Systems 1.5 Modelling Philosophy

Combination of concrete columns, shear walls and core walls transfer the vertical load from the floor to All the ETABS models must be developed using manual meshing tools, autpmeshing can not be used
foundation. anywhere in the models.

A double column arrangement is adopted for the support of the horizontal floor elements at each side of
the movement joint.
1.5.1 ULS Model for column design.
This model will be used for the design of columns. The seismic drift also can be calculated from this model.
The reactions from ULS models can be used for the design of foundations in SAFE software. The stiffness
modification factors used for the above analysis will be as follows;

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The thermal models have also been used to review the design of all the structural memebers. A load
combination of 1.2DL+1.6LL+1.2T can used for the design.
TABLE 1-7 MODIFICATION FACTORS FOR ULS MODEL

ETABS Model RC Slab RC Beam Column Core Wall  1.5.4 Early age thermal analysis
In general, early thermal shrinkage stresses will be mitigated by restricting the slab panel sizes to 1000 m2
m11, T I22, I33 As2, As3 T I22, f11, f22, f12 m11, m22, m1 and via providing proper pour sequence or by pour strips.
m22, m12 I33

Corewalls, 0.25 0.20 0.35 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.7 / 0.35* 1.0 0.7 / 0.35* 1.5.5 Modelling of slabs and beams
Beam and
Suspended floors are modelled by finite element approach using SAFE. Slabs and band beams are
Column
design modelled as shell polygons as per the General Arrangement drawings in the slab design model. Slab
openings as well as the service cut outs must be added to the model to account for accuracy of the load
* For cracked wall sections in accordance with ACI 318 -11
path into the supports. Stiff elements can be used at column and wall support area to model the high stiffness
1.5.2 Stability Model of these elements. The slab design model can be used for the deflection calculation also.
The above ETABS model will be utilized for designing the core walls and shear walls. In this model all the
In the beam design model, the beam elements can be modelled as line element and slabs as shell elements.
beam-column junctions to be moment released to reduce the framing action between column and beams.
The stiffness of slabs in this model can be reduced as provided in the table below to attract more force to
TABLE 1-8 MODIFICATION FACTORS FOR STABILITY MODEL beam

ETABS Model RC Slab RC Beam Column Core Wall  The analysis models incorporate the following stiffness modifiers to capture the correct force distribution
between beams and slabs:
m11, T I22, I33 As2, As3 T I22, f11, f22, f12 m11, m22, m12
m22, m12 I33

Corewalls, 0.25 0.20 0.35 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.7 / 0.35* 1.0 0.7 / 0.35*
Beam and
Column
design

* For cracked wall sections in accordance with ACI 318 -11

The stiffness modification factors used for the above analysis will be as follows:

1.5.3 Thermal analysis Model

Thermal analysis of structure must be carried out for the temperature difference described on section 1.2.6.
The modification factores to be adopted in this model is provided in the table below. The foundation must
be modelled in this ETABS model and the vertical and horizontal stiffness of springs modelled at the
foundation level can be determined from the vertical and horizontal subgrade reactions provided in the
geotechnical report.

TABLE 1-9 MODIFICATION FACTORS FOR THERMAL MODEL

ETABS Model RC Slab RC Beam Column Core Wall 

m11, T I22, I33 As2, As3 T I22, f11, f22, f12 m11, m22, m12
m22, m12 I33

Corewalls, 0.50 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Beam and
Column
design

* For cracked wall sections in accordance with ACI 318 -11

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1.5.6 Modelling of walls and link beams

The shear walls are modelled as shell element with the material properties and modification factors as
presented in the earlier sections.

Link Beams between the walls are modelled as line elements if the depth of link beam is less than 1.5m,
otherwise it will be modelled using shell element as a spandrel.

1.5.7 Modelling of slab and wall penetrations

The floor slabs are modelled as semi rigid diaphragms without moment release at the connection to the
core walls in the ULS model.

The major slab penetrations / risers (bigger than 300x300mm size) indicated in the architectural drawings
will be incorporated in the global analysis model. In addition to these, the key MEP openings (bigger than
300x300mm size) in the core walls will also be modelled in the analysis models.

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