BANCA CATALANA BUILDING

This  composite structure building was constructed using the top-down excavation method. The steel sections of the building's composite columns were connected to the concrete piles to allow the simultaneous execution of above grade floors and basement excavation. This way, the building was completed in approximately half of the time taken by the conventional building method. On finishing the excavation, the steel columns were reinforced with rebar and covered with concrete to form fire protected composite columns able to  withstand the additional permanent loads and live loads, and perfectly protected against rusting.

The girders of below grade floors are large steel sections, which make up the support system of the enclosure spans for the bank safes, parking areas, etc.

The composite structure of the floors employed Boyd-type lightened steel beams which readily enable the passage of the installation conduits.