Design ID was appointed as the by Glanbia Cheese to provide structural designs to support the installation of a new flue duct and chimney system. A new chimney and flue system was required for the proposed upgrade of the Boiler System. Initially, Design ID conducted feasibility studies to explore the option of placing the new chimney inside the building. However, after a detailed assessment, it was decided that it was feasible for the new chimney to be constructed externally. This required the demolition of the existing chimney and construction of the new chimney foundation on top of the existing masonry foundation of the former chimney.
Our scope of work included:
- Initial feasibility study for placing the chimney inside the building, including an assessment of potential structural requirements and the impact on existing building elements. This initial study helped inform the decision to relocate the chimney externally.
- Design of temporary support structures for the temporary flues, extending through the roof of the boiler house.
- Design of permanent support structures for the new steel flue, routed outside the boiler house to the new 20m high steel chimney. Existing steel structures were assessed and deemed feasible to support the columns of the new flue support structure.
- Assessment of the existing chimney masonry foundation and the design of a new shallow foundation constructed on top to accommodate the anchor frame for the chimney. The existing foundation also served to support the main column for the flue support structure eliminating the need for further excavations and foundations.
The flue support structure was extended from within the boiler house building over numerous services and structures outside the building. Design ID conducted a detailed site survey of the structures with sufficient information gathered to create a 3D coordination model to avoid clashes. 3D models from the chimney and flue supplier were incorporated to conclude the complex geometry of the support frame. The elimination of additional excavations and foundations significantly reduced construction cost and risk due to numerous underground services present. Assessment and incorporation of the existing boiler house roof and external steel structures for the support of new loads also reduced steel quantities and project cost.
Client: Glanbia Cheese
Contractor: Kage Engineering, JJ Doyle
