Project Overview
The Linxia National Grand Theater features a cast-in-place reinforced concrete frame shear wall structure. Its total construction area spans 20,700 m², including 18,887.6 m² above ground and 1,812.4 m² underground, accommodating 1,052 seats. The main above-ground concrete structure consists of four levels, topped by a steel roof reaching 46 meters in height. The concrete main body stands at 23.2 meters, with the stage warehouse rising to 31.6 meters. A partially underground second-floor basement lies at an elevation of -11.5 meters. The reference elevation 0.000 corresponds to an absolute elevation of 1,849.650 meters, with an indoor-outdoor height difference of 0.30 meters. The site ground elevation is approximately -2.0 meters. Architecturally, the building has a circular floor plan and an onion-shaped façade. The diameter at elevation 0.000 is 80 meters, expanding to a maximum diameter of 88 meters at 13.5 meters above ground. The layout divides roughly into two zones: the front near the main entrance houses the audience hall and its supporting facilities, while the rear section primarily serves stage and performance support functions.
The architectural plan is illustrated in Figure 2-1, and the engineering design section is shown in Figure 2-2.
Based on structural characteristics, the concrete formwork support project is segmented into several functional areas: supporting and auxiliary functions, audience halls and stands, and stage areas. These are divided across five vertical zones, from 0.000 to 13.5 meters. Notably, the audience hall, stands, and stage areas, as well as the extension and supporting auxiliary zones between 0.000 and 13.5 meters, feature large spans and high floor heights at the upper levels.
Figure 2-2 Architectural Design Section
The foundation floor elevation for the audience hall and grandstand area is at -4.2 meters. At elevation 0.000 meters, a frame beam exists without a slab, while between 3.3 and 4.0 meters, stepped beams and slabs are present. Above these lie the first grandstand, spanning elevations 4.0 to 8.0 meters, and the second grandstand, from 11.65 to 14.6 meters. Both grandstands are curved, with the top plate reaching 23.2 meters. The frame’s support foundation consists of a 1.6-meter-thick raft. Vertically, the structure is composed of curved walls and rectangular columns.
The epitaxial region from 0.000 to 13.5 meters extends outward from radius R39200 at 4.7 meters, to R41200 at 8.0 meters, and R43200 at 13.53 meters. This extension area includes inclined columns and curved beams, with the actual ground elevation at -2.0 meters. The support frame height is relatively tall, with foundations resting on compacted sand fill soil. Some frame foundations use raft slabs at -4.2 meters. The vertical elements are rectangular columns.
The supporting and auxiliary functional area features a frame foundation with a -4.2 meter-thick raft. At 0.000 meters, there is a frame beam without a slab. Floors are at elevations 4.0, 8.0, 13.53, and 23.2 meters, primarily consisting of curved beams, the highest being at 9.57 meters. Vertical components include curved walls and columns.
BIM Modeling and Application
This project utilized the Pinming BIM template engineering design software, a BIM-based tool specifically developed for cast-in-place concrete structures. It supports functions such as scheme visualization, template cost estimation, high-fidelity formwork demonstrations, and detailed plan preparation. Notably, it is the first BIM-based template design software introduced in China.
Template engineering typically accounts for 10-15% of civil engineering costs and represents a significant construction risk. Considering this project’s structural features, the concrete formwork support plan is divided into supporting auxiliary functional areas, audience halls and stands, stage areas, and five epitaxial regions from 0.000 to 13.5 meters. The audience hall, stands, and stage areas, along with the extension and supporting functional auxiliary zones between 0.000 and 13.5 meters, feature large spans and high floor heights at the upper level.
Due to these complexities, template engineering modeling is challenging in practice. However, the software adheres strictly to national and local regulations and innovatively incorporates BIM technology concepts. This results in significant advancements in visualization, optimization, and drawing capabilities, leading the development of template support engineering technology. The software greatly enhances efficiency and quality during modeling and model application. Figure 6-1 shows the BIM model created using this software.
Figure 6-1 Template Engineering Modeling
Moreover, the BIM model significantly aids in hazard control and cost reduction. The three-dimensional design results—covering the entire building, each floor, and any sectional view—are no longer theoretical concepts but practical tools for bidding, expert demonstrations, and 3D presentations. Additionally, material usage is precisely calculated: concrete, formwork, steel pipes, square timber, fasteners, and brackets are quantified separately by floor and structural category. This detailed accounting substantially improves material utilization during construction. The figure below shows the actual construction process following the modeling phase:
Figure 6-2 Construction Process Diagram
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