Cork and Galway Radiation Oncology Centres

T.J. O’Connor & Associates are the Structural & Civil Engineers for the design of 2No. 3-storey Radiation Oncology centres with gross floor areas of 8,840m²  (Cork) and 8,058 m²  (Galway) on the site of Cork University Hospital (CUH) campus and Galway University Hospital (GUH) campus.

This required the demolition of the existing Adult Mental Health Building in Cork and existing Psychiatric Unit and link corridor in Galway, and the integration of existing pedestrian links to the PET CT buildings on both sites.

7No. new linear accelerator (LINAC) bunkers were designed as part of the new CUH RO centre with 6No. new linear accelerator (LINAC) bunkers designed as part of the new GUH RO centre. All linac bunkers are located at ground floor level.

The Linac bunkers on both sites were designed to support loadings from upper floor levels and include an allowance for the future 2-storey vertical expansion of the building. The bunkers are designed in Reinforced Concrete (RC) with walls and roof slabs up to 2.6m thick. All RC elements were checked for early age thermal cracking and long-term cracking to avoid radiation leakage from the bunkers.

T. J. O’Connor & Associates are responsible for the civil engineering design of the works including the relocation, design and integration of foul, surface water and water supply services with the existing networks. Sustainable Urban Drainage systems are incorporated in the design, including attenuation tanks and permeable surfacing.

T. J. O’Connor & Associates’ services on both projects included procuring and overseeing site investigation works, engaging specialist geotechnical and traffic engineering consultants.

BIM software was implemented in the design and delivery of the projects, with structural frames designed using Tekla Structural Designer analysis software and WIndes computer modelling software used to analyse the surface water outfall rates. 3D graphical models of the buildings were produced using Revit software, with the AutoCAD Civils 3D used to create a model of the ground surfaces and underground services.

Client:

Health Service Executive

Start/End Date:

CUH – 2013 – 2019

GUH – 2013 – Ongoing

Contract Value:

€30M

Role:

Structural & Civil Engineers

Key Structural Features:

• Reinforced Concrete Linac bunkers designed with up to6m thick 2-way spanning roof slabs supported by up to 2.6m thick walls
• RC frame superstructure with RC edge beams supporting cladding elements, stabilised by RC lift and staircores
• RC Ground Slab supported by ground beams supported on piles
• All RC elements checked for early age thermal cracking and long-term cracking
• Structure and foundations designed to accommodate the future expansion of 2No. additional stories
• Stainless Steel wind posts and solid blockwork is used in areas to accommodate this future expansion
• Demolition and integration of new-builds with existing structures
• Diversions to existing water supply, foul and surface water drainage
• Design of new services and provision of Sustainable Urban Drainage systems
• Reconfiguration and extension of existing public car park with accessible car spaces and bicycle parking
• Use of BIM software including Revit, Tekla Structural Designer, Windes MicroDrainage and AutoCAD Civils 3D

Find out more about our Structural Engineering services.