DESUN HOSPITAL HELIPAD DESIGN BY MNC
Designing a Robust Helipad for Desun Hospital’s Air Ambulance Service Helipads play a critical role in emergency medical services, enabling swift transportation of patients in critical condition. At Desun Hospital, a state-of-the-art helipad has been designed to accommodate air ambulance services with a focus on safety, functionality, and structural integrity. The helipad, with a radius of 9.75 meters, is situated atop the 10-storey building’s core. This strategic placement ensures the efficient transfer of loads, including the rare but crucial consideration of an accidental crash load. The building’s core, engineered to handle such significant forces, acts as the primary load-bearing element, offering unparalleled structural stability. Project Timeline and Team The project began in 2019 and was successfully completed in 2023.A highly skilled team of five engineers from MNC, with expertise in advanced structural design and detailing, led the project to fruition. Their combined efforts ensured the design met the highest safety and engineering standards. Overcoming Design Challenges Given the large diameter of the helipad, a maximum overhang of 5.65 meters extends beyond the core. This necessitates the use of long cantilever beams to transfer the load effectively to the core. However, cantilever beams introduce their own set of challenges, including additional dead weight on the structure. To address this, hunched beams were incorporated into the design. The hunched beams taper as they extend outward, reducing material use without compromising strength. In one direction, the beams taper from 1200 mm at the core to 600 mm at the edge, and in the other direction, from 1200 mm to 800 mm. This innovative design not only optimizes load distribution but also minimizes the deflection and vibrations that might occur during helicopter landings or takeoffs.
Key Features of the Helipad:
1. Crash-Load Resilience: The design accounts for rare crash scenarios, ensuring safety for both the structure and the surrounding area.
2. Efficient Load Transfer: The building’s core is strategically reinforced to handle both static and dynamic loads, maintaining stability during use.
3. Vibration Control: The hunched beams are not only strong but also help in controlling vibrations, ensuring a smooth landing for helicopters.
4. Accessibility: The helipad connects seamlessly to the hospital’s critical care units, minimizing transit time for patients in need of urgent medical attention.
5. Weather Resistance: Designed with materials resistant to harsh weather conditions, the helipad is functional throughout the year. The Importance of Structural Innovation Designing a helipad of this scale on a high-rise building poses unique challenges, from balancing weight distribution to ensuring aerodynamic stability. The use of tapered hunched beams reflects a thoughtful approach to modern structural engineering, balancing safety and efficiency while optimizing material usage. With this robust and innovative design, Desun Hospital’s helipad not only enhances emergency medical response capabilities but also sets a benchmark for urban healthcare infrastructure. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the team, advanced engineering practices, and a steadfast commitment to delivering excellence in patient care.
