Hong Kong’s new Immigration Headquarters is the first development in the world to benefit from the R800 heavy-duty panel girder system from ALTRAD RMD Kwikform.

 Located between Po Yap Road and Chi Shin Street in Tseung Kwan O, the new building complex will cover a total construction floor area of 139,327m² and provide general office accommodation and frontline immigration services for the public. The Immigration Headquarters will comprise of one 17-storey Main Tower, comprising of a North Wing and South Wing, as well as a 16-storey Security Tower and a 1-storey basement carpark. The two towers will be connected by two skybridges on the 8^th and 14^th floors.

ALTRAD RMD Kwikform provided its new R800 heavy-duty girder system to help support the construction of these two skybridges, working with main contractor Hip Hing and sub-contractor Hop Hing. Thanks to the efficiencies of the R800 system, construction of the skybridge on the 8^th floor was completed within 8 days, with development of the 14^th floor currently underway.

Allowing for the construction of clear spanning and bridging structures, the R800 enables long lattice girders to be assembled quickly and safely, and so was ideally suited to build the Immigration Headquarters’ new skybridges leaving clear working room below. As the only fully CE marked girder system available on the market, Hop Hing could be sure of a safe and reliable system, while benefitting from higher strength steels and optimised forged girder connections too.

These have been engineered to be equal in strength to the parts they connect, resulting in the highest available strength-to-weight ratio, and enhanced fatigue performance. In contrast, many alternative systems have their performance compromised because of reduced strength at the pin joints.

Peter Atkinson, Business Development Manager for Groundworks at ALTRAD RMD Kwikform said:

“When compared with alternative solutions, the lightweight nature of the R800 system means it’s easy to assemble and transport. If the R800 system had not been used, large structural beams would have been required, which would have taken longer to install and cost our client more as well. The R800 system also underwent proof load testing prior to being used, in order to demonstrate its capabilities to the Hong Kong authorities.

“Another key aspect to the project was how Hop Hing installed the system. Hop Hing installed the end sections of the truss on the upper level and then simply hoisted up the central span of the truss from the 3^rd floor, and connected the R800 in the final position with four pins. Hop Hing’s team found the system incredibly easy to use, making it a very attractive temporary works solution for them.

“We also provided Hop Hing with on-site training on using the equipment, plus an on-site product specialist should the team have any questions. It’s fantastic to see the new R800 solution delivering such great results for Hong Kong’s new Immigration Headquarters, which is an important new build for the region, and we’re looking forward to seeing the completed project in the first quarter of 2023.”

The R800 is ideally suited to meet the most demanding requirements for simply supported, continuous/multi-span, cantilever or launched falsework, and vehicle, pedestrian, and service bridging. The system can also be used for structures in the media and events industry, as well as in tieless formwork.

Versatility is a key feature of R800 and enables it to tackle challenging terrain and build geometries with ease. For instance, the R800 trapezoidal end panel enables support from the top chord, which reduces the required headroom and minimises clashes with battered abutments, while at the same time maximizing opportunities for structural support using permanent works foundations. Uniquely, the trapezoidal panel can also be used inverted, affording the same geometry advantages for the support of spans supported by V-shaped piers, and arches.

Further flexibility is provided by the inclusion of 4.5m, 2.25m and 1.25m long ‘quarter length’ girder panels, together with tapered end posts. When coupled with slidable bearings, these provide continuous and infinitely adjustable span length adjustment, enabling a better fit with permanent works piers and foundations, as well as facilitating the support of skewed spans with standard equipment.