No.

ECSP/GMS/

February 12, 2014

Deputy Director ADS-I,

LDA, Lahore
OVER HEAD WATER TANKS AND APPARTMENTS AT FINANCE AND
TRADE CENTER, JOHR TOWN, LAHORE
VETTING OF DESIGN CALCULATIONS AND DRAWINGS
Dear Sir,
This is with reference to your letter no. DDADS-I/LDA/131, dated on February 04, 2014,
enclosing structural drawings of overhead water tank, submission of structural design
calculations by the contractor on February 06, 2014 and subsequent meeting of ECSP
with the contractor on February 10, 2014, regarding the subject project. Our comments are
as follows:
Design calculations and drawings are submitted on piecemeal basis, which are incomplete
and have major deficiencies/discrepancies as follows:
Architectural Drawings show slab at level 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 but complete drawings
including plans, elevations, sections and details are not provided.
Significant additional dead loads, live loads and earthquake loads due to apartments are
not considered in the design calculations submitted to us. Lift/stairs indicated on
architectural drawings is not considered in design calculations and structural drawings.
Bearing capacity in design criteria is specified as 0.92 Tsf whereas in design calculation, it
is taken as 1.1 Tsf.
Only one lift and stair case is provided. We suggest that there should be two lifts and stairs
cases to meet the functional requirement of apartments.
Columns are indicated in 12 ft wide corridor which adversely affect the aesthetic of
apartments and cause obstruction to movement of residents, using the corridor. It is
suggested that all structural systems including lay out of columns to be adjusted to meet
functional requirements without compromising the stability and durability of the structure.
Importance factor is considered as 1.15 in the design criteria whereas as per UBC-97 it is
1.25.
Detailing requirements for intermediate moment resisting frames are not fully complied
with, as required by applicable codes.
Drawings of plumbing, electrical and other related works are not submitted.
Submission of incomplete structural design calculations and drawings, not fully
coordinated with architectural drawings/requirements and not fully conforming to
applicable codes, on piecemeal basis, is adversely affecting the review/vetting process
It is requested that following may please be submitted for vetting of the structural design
calculations and drawings.

Complete structural design calculations and drawings which are fully coordinated with
architectural drawings/requirements and fully conform to applicable codes and
geotechnical parameters.
Complete Architectural Drawings indicating plans, elevations, sections, perspective view
and details including location, thickness and height of masonary walls, thickness of floor
finishes and other pertinent details are required.
Besides comments/observations on geotechnical investigation report, submitted by Soil
Cone Foundation Masters, are as follows:
Geotechnical Investigations are not site specific.
Exact location, coordinates and elevation of each borehole and nearest road level are not
given, for any interpretation.
Location plan of drilled boreholes is not attached.
The method of drilling is primitive and does not afford reliable results.
Exact location of undisturbed samples extracted from cohesive soil was not mentioned in
Borehole logs. Method used for extraction of undisturbed soil samples is not mentioned in
the report.
The procedure or testing backup for the determination of Bulk Density/ Dry density,
Natural Moisture Content, unconfined compressive strength, cohesion and angle of
internal friction is not mentioned despite giving values in the report.
Details of Laboratory test results were not provided in the report.
The bearing capacity of 1.57 Tsf is adopted in the report without using any laboratory test
results. Require justification?
In the design report the method of calculating the immediate settlement is incorrect.
Approach and basic formula is wrong.
Change/ variation from attached boreholes logs was observed during excavation
It is suggested that site specific geotechnical investigations should be conducted under full
time supervision of geotechnical engineer for confirmation and further evaluation/ analysis
Regards

Khalid Ejaz
General Manager Structures

Copy to

1. Mr. Asrar Saeed, Chief Engineer, LDA

2. The Director ADS-I, LDA, Lahore