The National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) near Loughborough is a pioneering 70-bed facility designed to deliver advanced patient care, research, and training in rehabilitation medicine. At a cost of £105 m and at 15,000msq the building exemplifies sustainability and innovation in healthcare infrastructure.
CHALLENGE
CCL’s objective was to explore the potential of post-tensioning to reduce overall concrete usage and embodied carbon. One of the major challenges CCL faced was the requirement to reduce the thickness of the slabs while maintaining their structural integrity and meeting stringent NHS vibration requirements.
SOLUTION
CCL used advanced post-tensioning with the CCL XF system and 15.7mm tendons to reduce slab thickness from 325mm to 270mm, lightening the structure and cutting concrete use. CCL’s proprietary tools created 3D tendon layouts which were integrated into the project’s federated model for clash avoidance and coordination. Additional corbels and beams resolved structural issues.
BENEFITS
- The combined reduction in concrete and rebar usage led to a 25% decrease in CO2 emissions.
- Concrete durability contributes to lower resource consumption and environmental impact over time.
- Reduced embodied carbon and costs.
