E X P E R I E N C E O U R S T R E N G T H P R O U D S T E E L C O N S T R U C T O R S F O R T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F A U C K L A N D w w w . d h s t e e l . c o . n z | P H . 0 9 8 3 9 7 2 5 0 The structural steel component of the University of Auckland Hiwa Recreational Centre posed “once in a lifetime” industry challenges, says Richard Hine, D&H Steel Construction general manager. Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) saw D&H Steel come up with innovative engineering solutions that pushed the boundaries of construction technology fabricating and installing 6000 tonnes of structural steel and 85,000 bolts. Comprising eight levels on a 3,600sqm footprint, the project includes an underground swimming pool, sports halls, elevated running track, tness studios, rooftop outdoor plaza and turf eld. At the heart of the complex lies a structural diagrid system wrapping around the building, naturally taking seismic and lateral loads. The diagrid elements, equivalent to the weight of 23 cars - or 23 tonnes - each, required carefully planned temporary works to hold them in position for on-site welding. “Many people in the construction industry were ringing us to express their amazement at this part of the project as it was so unique,” says Richard. Above the sports hall, long-span deep truss structures ranging from 35 to 40 metres created large open spaces without internal supporting structures. These massive trusses, measuring 5-6 metres deep and weighing 35-40 tonnes each, required delivery in smaller sections for pre-assembly on site. Due to their weight some had to be tandem lifted with two cranes into position. Perhaps most challenging was the underground swimming pool's roof structure, featuring unique long-span box sections shaped to support an architectural outdoor seating area above. The 29-metre members required constant pro le changes, with each piece bespoke and geometrically different. “It took a lot of coordination with the architect and engineer to come up with a steel model and drawings for our factory to achieve the outcome,” explains Richard. “The coordination involved close collaboration with main contractor Hawkins, alongside Beca and Warren & Mahoney throughout the design development phase.” D&H Steel's involvement began nearly a decade ago when the university identi ed bene ts in bringing key subcontractors into an ECI process. This approach allowed one to two years of collaborative work with consultants to develop optimal design solutions for the unusual and complex structural steel connections. The project's foundation requirements were another challenging aspect, with hold-down bolts measuring 64mm diameter and extending four metres into concrete foundations, re ecting the massive loads the structure needed to accommodate. Construction during COVID-19 presented additional challenges, with shutdowns and logistical dif culties affecting the entire construction industry. Despite these obstacles, D&H Steel successfully delivered the complex project, demonstrating its capabilities under adverse conditions. The project's excellence earned recognition at the Steel Construction New Zealand Awards 2024 where it won its category for projects over $3 million. "It shows the value that D&H Steel can add in an ECI contract. Not only through bringing best value to the client in terms of steel fabrication but also adding a lot of value around programme and constructability ensuring the project is de-risked and goes to plan," says Richard. "It shows we can fabricate the toughest of jobs." STEEL COMPONENTS TRULY UNIQUE
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