Spoedplein (Emergency Square)
The central point in the new construction is the so-called “Spoedplein” that connects all departments. This requires a clear layout with a coherent structure. Each department has been given its own color combination, and the colors of these departments are represented in stripes on the floor. On the central Spoedplein, these stripes lead to the counters of the various services, providing support for orientation within the building.
Radiotherapy at Radboudumc
After the completion of the Spoedplein (Emergency Square), it was decided to add a radiotherapy department with 2 treatment rooms under the new construction. Since the concrete treatment rooms required much more height than the already built parking garage, an innovative solution for the height problem was necessary. Creating additional space upwards was not an option, so it was decided to achieve the required space by lowering the existing foundation. Ten concrete columns at the location of the treatment rooms were extended, and the pedestals were lowered, resulting in an increased clearance space of 1.90 meters. These construction works required great precision to ensure that the building above wouldn’t sink or deform. After extending the ten columns in the manner described below, the construction of the radiotherapy department could proceed. Thanks to this new treatment department, CWZ patients can continue to receive treatment in their familiar environment and don’t need to go to Radboudumc for most radiation treatments anymore.
Lowering foundation at the location of the treatment rooms
In the existing columns, a hole was drilled at the top where massive steel dowels were inserted. Subsequently, a floor-high truss beam was attached over three columns. The truss beam was supported by the outer columns and supported the middle column through the installed dowel construction, after which the middle column could be cut away. The foundation footing under the middle column was then free of load and could be lowered by excavating the underlying ground. To be able to reuse the existing footings, they were temporarily suspended from the steel truss beams. After excavation, the footing was placed at its new position, 1.90 meters lower. Subsequently, a new steel column was placed on the lowered footing at the location where the concrete column had been cut away. A flat jack was installed in the column head of this new column, which allowed the column to be tensioned to prevent possible sinking of the already completed Spoedplein (Emergency Square).
