ATOCHA RAILWAY STATION EXPANSION

This project modifies the original structural design so to optimize its constructional process. The key concept has been to minimize the interventions on the existing structure so to avoid interferences on the ongoing live traffic in the station.

In order to resist the load-increase which would occur on the roof slab, the 15 m long secondary beams of their structure have been reinforced by means of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) or external post tensioning.

Where the secondary beams weren’t accessible, composite slabs have been cast on top of a steel beam grid which is installed over the existing slab but doesn’t transfer its loads to it.

Among the added new structures, the sawtooth roof of the  new arrival hall is the most remarkable one. It is composed of 13 longitudinal elements with a length of 38 m which bear onto a set of new columns and a 39 m span lattice truss composed of a frame of diagonals rigidly connected to a bottom box girder.