Date: October 10, 2014

Attention: Malakai Jay Vakasiuola

Chairman/Director, BECivil, MBA, DipPM,
MIEAust, ITS Pacific (Fiji).

Subject: Gurbachan Singh Mall



Dear Sir,

This letter is in response to the given tasked for the development of the Gurbachan Singh Mall, the
following are the comments & and suggestion and the probable methodologies in undertaken such
thing.

COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS:

1.0. As per SHEET NO. S1, this is pertain to the legend. The material used is (TWI New 100mm thick
timber wall (12mm gib on Ex 100x50 timber frame). Is this type wall is use for partition only? And
not to carry bearing loads nor be a part of Seismic Main Resisting Force (SMRF)? If this is for
partitions only it seems for me that this wall is too thick, we can use 50mm thick to descend the
loads to be carried by the building and also to consider value of engineering.

2.0. As per SHEET NO. S1. I also observed that they used 150mm thick block/ChB wall place in the
interior part of the building. Is this type of wall is use for partition only? And not to carry bearing
loads nor be a part of Seismic Main Resisting Force (SMRF)? If this is for partitions only its too
thick and heavy for the old structure, based on my own experience I normally use 150 to 200 mm
thick block wall/ChB wall only in perimeter part of the building that could stand for load bearing
and for Wind Main Resisting Force (WMRF) and (SMRF) and if ever I used block wall in interior
part of the building I would suggest to use 100mm thick or use aluminum dry walling because it is
light weight and could save time during construction period. In this type of wallings the designers
and the client could benefit in such way that the designer could be satisfy the design with no harm
because the loads due to the walls in partitions is lighter and we could also protect the clients
interest by value engineering to save his/her money.

3.0. As per SHEET NO.S1. This is pertaining to the Lift Shaft Forming Section, based on the drawing I
observed that there was no connection detail reflected between the shaft and the block wall/ ChB
wall.

4.0. As per SHEET NO. S4. This is pertaining to the construction of the New Tie-Beam to be attached
to old columns/existing columns. I observe that the main bars was only embedded and hook into
the first bar for at least 40 to 60 mm I think this is to shallow and unsafe it will create pull off due
moment that the tie beam resist to the imposed load and any lateral movements. To obtain proper
anchorage I think that we need to embed the main bars for a minimum of 100 mm with bonding
hook dowels to ensure and be safe for pull-out. The main bars will drilled up and the drilled hole
will be filled up with structural epoxy.

5.0. As per SHEET NO. S5. This is pertaining to the new beam to be anchor to the existing old beam. I
observed that the new proposed beam was not anchor properly, the embedment depth of the
new main reinforcing bars is non-compliant for pull-out failure. For, the existing beam this must
be investigated properly and be checked for torsion effect, torsional effect is large especially in
stair or escalator. As we know the dead load is large and the vibration of the escalator must also
be considered. Im sure for this old structure this beam where the escalator need to place should
undergo retrofitting.

This was I observed upon sorting and reviewing the design of the proposed development of the floors
was composed of timber floor joist with timber girder, also in the purlins and truss. I just want to ask
sir because Im not familiar with the practice of structural engineering in your country. I was thinking
that the building is proposed to be a mall and it could have more or less and assembly area where
massive people will come and go which means live load as well as dead loads will become drastic. Also
some areas will become a storage for any goods. And I think it could create a vibration to the floors
due to the impact of people walking. Nowadays, the used of timbers here in our country is nearly
vanishing timbers are only use for 1 story residential and resorts or any structure which is not more
than a 2 story height and require heavy loads but not for malls. Therefore sir with all due respect I
suggest to divert the timber into steel members. It has a lot of advantage despite of its expensive
nature but it is much easier to install, could lessen the use of manual labor, and for the longevity I
think steel structure has the biggest percent to last for how many years compared to timber. It also
have cheap maintenance cost compared to the timber. I just compared it into some structure here sir,
best example is in our village right in the southern part of the Philippines we have a timber bridge
constructed during 1980s it last only for I think 10 to 11 years, the bolts was already corroded due to
timber will zip some amount of water and may retain to its grain sink into the drilled hole of the bolts
even if it was properly treated. Also timber was prone to termites attack even if, it was also treated to
prevent termites from eating, but for the long period of time the chemical use for the treatment will
be expired and gone out of moisture thats the time timber parasite attack. Compared to steel
structure you will only apply structural epoxy to be coated for corrosion protection this will serves also
as waterproofing to prevent corrosion. Another advantages of using steel members it is fast to
construct and install. We have buildings here sir I think it is 4 to 5 story high composed of steel
members due to client request to constraint the time so that he could be able to start his business
immediately he choose steel structure and the construction was done in 1 month duration 24/7
working days. But that was only my suggestions sir the client will decide which material to be use and
we need to explain to him/her the disadvantages and advantages of using such materials in laymans
term. My point sir is hence, it was a proposal we need to breakdown any possible and best engineering
solution that we could offer to the client so that he/she could decide which he think the best suitable
scheme to be design and to be constructed. I hope sir my comments and suggestion could help this is
all I could do because Im not seeing the situation in actual condition but furthermore tomorrow I will
write down the possible methodologies we could use if ever the project is approved all of this is for
your approval sir. Thank you and good luck.


Very truly yours,

Engr. Arnel H. Sinconiegue. C.E