<p>For most of us, the word 'bus station' conjures up an image of a crowded area full of passengers, loads of luggage, shabby surroundings and unclean washrooms. The state-of-the-art Alambaug bus stand in Lucknow turns that notion on its head! Touted to be India's first world-class bus terminal and air-conditioned mall with a food court plaza, multiplex and hotel, the facility has been built under a PPP model by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and Shalimar Group. Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.56 billion, Shalimar was the developer while Bentel Associates and Shilp Consulting Engineers were the architect and structural consultant, respectively. </p> <p>Built adjacent to the metro station providing a direct connection to commuters,, Alambaug bus stand also provides an air-conditioned waiting hall and lounge for passengers and a dormitory for drivers and conductors.</p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The specs</span><br /> With an aim to increase its capacity from 25 to 60 platforms for buses and parking space for another 40 buses, the project is divided into two main parts: The bus stand and commercial area. Spread across 10 lakh sq m, the bus stand has a 7.5-m-tall basement area for parking while the commercial area has two basements for parking and services.</p> <p>The ground level is used for commercial purposes and the State Transport Department. The three-storey building of the bus stand above the ground floor is maintained for administrative and bus platforms as two large canopies shelter it. The retail zone stretches till the second floor, while the third floor comprises the multiplex, restaurants and food court. A nearly 120-key hotel is housed on the third floor. </p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The structure</span><br /> While the girders support the floating columns in the administration building, beams spanning about 19 m have been constructed in the bus stand parking area. The bus stand area of the project is about 60 m + 150 m at the ground floor and the retail area is about 75 m + 160 m at a typical floor level. With an atrium area and openings for escalators, services, etc, the retail area has 220 columns and RCC wall supporting the building. </p> <p>During the initial phases of delivery of design drawings of foundation, columns and wall, the project opted for a detailed design with the help of RCDC. With RCDC's aid, the work was divided into two teams: One handled the design and detailing of foundations while the other managed detailing of the columns and wall. Elaborating upon the engineering software, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sangeeta Date, Partner, Shilp Consulting Engineers,</span> says, 'RCDC checks the output of any analysis software. Control of design is provided to the engineer. </p> <p>With RCDC, an engineer can check the parameters or any specific requirements. One can specify the requirements in the software and the design is generated. Once the engineer completes and checks the design, the software generates drawings, beam elevation and sections, and bills of quantity.' Moreover, RCDC provides design documentation. 'RCDC saved our time without compromising on any quality or design issue,' she adds. </p> <p>The SBC was quite low for the foundation design at 220 kN per sq m. An economical plan size for each footing was developed by RCDC as it assisted the consultants to group footings based on the overall proportions as well as load supported. The optimum depth required for one-way (beam action) and two-sheer (punching) along with reinforcement design was provided by the engineering software. </p> <p>RCDC was extensively used for the design of columns and walls. Initial detailing from RCDC was used for almost all the columns as it provided a reasonable number of type detailing, which eased construction on site. RCDC also came in handy for designing and detailing of beams. </p> <p>The total project is about 10 lakh sq m with a total concrete pour of about 26,700 cu m and 3,200 tonne of reinforcement used. The total consumption of concrete is expected to be about 35,700 cu m and reinforcement of about 4,200 tonne.</p> <p> For the construction drawings, a detailed framing plan as well as reinforcement details have been used. Nearly 320-330 drawings using RCDC have been used; AutoDrafter output was directly used. </p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Overcoming challenges </span><br /> Deciding the expansion jointly was a major task. 'We had to prepare three different models and design the footings for that,' explains Date. 'By the time we came up to the second level, hotel plans were finalised. </p> <p>As there was no scope to change the lower level footings and columns as the beams were already cast, we had to go in for girders in both directions at the hotel level. We had a cantilever girder to support the column. Satisfying stability and lateral deflection for earthquake risk was the main concern. To maintain and keep a check on design continuity was a great challenge for us.' </p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">In conclusion</span><br /> The efficiency of the bus stand has improved dramatically with 50 bus parks on the floor and 50 bus parking spots in the basement. Although the commercial building is still under construction, the bus stand is fully functional. Date believes that the use of RCDC for design of the concrete structure and steel AutoDrafter helped the company maintain quality while delivering the project on time - it was completed in a period of just three years!</p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Details</span><br /> Location: Lucknow<br /> Total length: 10 lakh sq m<br /> Completion date: Bus area - June 2018; Mall area - June 8, 2018<br /> Total cost: Rs.2.5 billion (all structure)<br /> Project Consultant: In-house developer <br /> Developer partner: Shalimar Corp. Tel: 0522-403 0444. <br /> E-mail: shalimar@shalimar.org<br /> Website: www.shalimarcorp.com<br /> Architects/Planner: Bentel Associates. Tel: 022-4066 4600. <br /> E-mail: bentelindia@bentel.in Website: www.bentel.net <br /> Structural Consultant: Shilp Consulting Engineers. Tel: 022-2927 1905. <br /> E-mail: projects@shilp-india.com Website: www.shilp-india.com <br /> Contracting agency: JKW Construction; Akasva Infrastructure.</p> <p> Know of a landmark project? Write in at feedback@ConstructionWorld.in</p>