Structural design: the Snowdon Towers case study

The Snowdon Towers project is a comprehensive information model of a mixed-use building, developed using Autodesk Revit software. The project is based on BIM principles and is divided into several interconnected disciplinary models: architectural, structural, facade, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, and site plan.

The structural model comprises a system of vertical and horizontal load-bearing elements. Key components include structural columns, beams, floor slabs, and foundation structures. The columns form the building's vertical load-bearing system, transferring loads from the upper floors to the foundation. The beams constitute the horizontal framework, supporting the floor slabs and transferring loads to the columns. The floor slabs form the primary horizontal planes of the stories and function in conjunction with the beam-and-column system.

The structural documentation covers the foundation, parking level, main building level, floors two through five, the roof level, stairwells, and specific structural details.

The use of linked models enables interdisciplinary project coordination. For instance, the positioning of structural columns and beams can be cross-referenced with the architectural layout, and building services can be checked for clashes with load-bearing structures. This allows potential conflicts between different project disciplines to be identified during the design phase.