Arup façade engineer, Rudolf le Roux, presented a paper on ‘Multi-Disciplinary Design Solutions Through Parametric Modelling’ at the Sixth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2016) recently held in Cape Town. The conference, hosted by the University of Cape Town, ran from 5 to 7 September 2016. Authors representing some 60 countries from all five continents presented 360 papers.

Le Roux’s paper highlighted the fascinating ways in which parametric modelling was used in various aspects of the design of the new PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Tower, a 26-storey office tower with a dramatic spiralling form. Structurally, this form is naturally trying to twist the building to collapse. Using parametric modelling, a structural column scheme was generated that counters this action in an economical way.

“Parametric modelling was used in a clever way to devise a practical façade scheme to the warped, twisted faces of the building. Our engineers also recognised early on that the concave, warped façades might cause reflected solar rays to be concentrated in the open spaces surrounding the tower. This problem has become well known in a number of building projects around the world, most notably when parts of a motor vehicle were melted by solar rays which reflected off the 20 Fenchurch building façade in London. Once again, parametric modelling was used innovatively to estimate the magnitude of these concentrated solar reflections and investigate solutions to the problem,” said le Roux.

“Parametric modelling on the PwC Tower enabled us to make real-time adjustments to a variety of aspects which could be seen instantly in 3D,” explained le Roux.


About Rudolf le Roux:


Rudolf le Roux is an engineer working in Arup’s Façade team. He has been involved in the structural analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures, steel structures, building façades and bespoke façade systems.

Qualifications:
BEng (Civil)
MScEng

Professional Associations:
Member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering
Candidate Engineer - ECSA

Projects that le Roux has been involved with include:
The PwC Tower, Midrand, SA
V&A Grain Silos, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, SA
Bethesda Methodist Mission Upgrade Phase 1, Johannesburg, SA
4 Stan Road Façade and Cladding, Sandton, SA


About Arup

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. From 92 offices in 40 countries our 12,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.


We have over 650 staff in Africa, of which over 400 are in South Africa. Through our unsurpassed technology and connectivity, we can call on the international expertise of our colleagues from across the globe at any time. We have worked on more than 20,000 projects and
developments in Africa including commercial buildings, mixed-use developments, airports, sports venues, bridges, highways, railways, industrial development zones, oil, gas and energy projects, hospitals, prisons, arts and cultural venues, science and technology parks, water and waste projects.

On these projects, we have provided or continue to provide multidisciplinary engineering, planning, project management, transaction advice and sustainability consulting services.
For more information, go to www.arup.com/Global_locations/South_Africa.

Ends words
Issued on behalf of:                  Arup
Contact:                                  Candice Wakefield
                                               Marketing Co-ordinator | Marketing & Communications
Tel:                                         +27 11 218 7882
Cell:                                        +27 72 659 4818
Email:                                     candice.wakefield@arup.com   
Website:                                  www.arup.com
Date:                                       September 2016
Issued by:                                SJC Creative    
Contact:                                  Sue Charlton   
Tel:                                         011 794 8170/082 579 4263
E-mail:                                    sjc@worldonline.co.za