Case Studies

Edgeworthstown Library, Longford

TEAM

Civil and Structural Engineering

Sector

Services Provided

Structural Engineering

Overview of service

Longford County Council (LCC) is the authority responsible for local government in County Longford. It operates at the centre of the local community. The ORS Civil and Structural Team works in partnership with LCC on several projects.

One significant project was constructing a three-storey library building, including a rear car park, an off-street plaza to the front, and all associated works. The site was brownfield and located off the main street in Edgeworthstown, County Longford.

The site was vacant for a sustained period before the development and required the design of significant level changes, retaining walls, stairs, and ramps. The lower ground floor level of the building was constructed below the main street level, with ground conditions being limestone bedrock at shallow depths.

The building structure was constructed of a mix of reinforced concrete, glulam and infill masonry blockwork. Vehicular access was provided from the rear, and a large car park was built to serve both the library and the main street shops. Ramp and stair access were provided to the main street level from the car park.

In the final constructed building, the main internal feature was an outstanding large atrium allowing views from the ground floor to the roof level. The exposed interior structure of the building at the first floor and roof levels are of glulam construction.

Project challenges

Working with a complex brownfield site

Level differences across the site and rock encountered at shallow levels presented challenges in the civil and structural design of the development. Prior to development, the site had been partially excavated for a previous retail unit development that never materialised. The ORS team designed reinforced concrete walls to facilitate the excavation of the lower ground floor level of the building. This was also important to protect adjoining properties with floor levels relative to the main street. The building was constructed on a raft foundation to minimise dig depths and ensure suitable structure onto the shallow rock.

Japanese Knotweed was identified on the site prior to the commencement of development. ORS, the design team and the client engaged with specialist consultants and contractors to develop a suitable treatment for this invasive species to suit both the development and the budget. The final solution entailed the removal of the Knotweed from the vast majority of the site and creating a sealed berm on a suitable strip of the site for further treatment over a 3 to 4-year period to eradicate the problem. The carefully coordinated solution allowed the development to proceed unhindered while ensuring the Knotweed was eliminated appropriately.

The ground floor structure required a significant transfer of structural loading whereby internal columns within the atrium do not carry down to the lower ground floor. The ORS team designed this transfer structure, constructed in a series of wide and shallow RC beams to ensure a relatively shallow structural zone could be achieved to maximise floor-to-ceiling heights.

Leaders

Key Contacts

View Bio

David McCormack

Director
View Bio

Mark Heslin

Associate and Civil & Structural Engineering Lead

Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin

Clancy Construction appointed ORS to provide civil & structural engineering and fire safety services for the HSE’s Mount Carmel Hospital refurbishment programme.

Civil & Structural

View project
Renewable Energy in Civil & Structural Engineering

ORS is currently engaged in numerous renewable energy projects, from early design to construction stage.

Civil & Structural

View project
Redwood Tullamore

Capital Homes appointed ORS to provide civil & structural engineering services for the Redwood residential development in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Civil & Structural

View project
Dunnes Stores, Nationwide

Dunnes Stores appointed ORS to provide civil & structural services for nationwide refurbishments, including conversions and renovations.

Civil & Structural

View project
Aghnananagh Bridge Refurbishment

Offaly County Council appointed ORS to provide civil & structural, PSDP and employers representative services for the refurbishment of Aghnananagh Bridge in Rahan, Co. Offaly.

Civil & Structural

View project
PalletXpress Distribution Center

PalletXpress appointed ORS to provide multidisciplinary services on the construction of a new 8,500 sq m warehouse and distribution centre on a 2.3-hectare site.

Civil & Structural

View project
Public Housing

ORS provided civil & structural engineering services for numerous residential housing units for Local Authorities and Public Housing Bodies.

Civil & Structural

View project
Condition Surveys, Dublin

The ORS civil & structural engineering team was appointed to conduct large-scale condition surveys for Dublin City Council.

Civil & Structural

View project
Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan

The Department of Education and Skills (DoES) appointed ORS to deliver civil & structural engineering services for ADAPT’s first secondary school in Kilbeggan.

Civil & Structural

View project
Edgeworthstown Library, Longford

Longford County Council appointed ORS to deliver civil & structural services for the construction of a three-storey library building in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford.

Civil & Structural

View project

Talk to A specialist

Edgeworthstown Library, Longford

Working with a complex brownfield site

Leaders

Key Contacts

David McCormack

Mark Heslin

Related Projects

Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin

Renewable Energy in Civil & Structural Engineering

Redwood Tullamore

Dunnes Stores, Nationwide

Aghnananagh Bridge Refurbishment

PalletXpress Distribution Center

Public Housing

Condition Surveys, Dublin

Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan

Edgeworthstown Library, Longford

Great projects start with great relationships. Have a project in mind? Contact us.