TOP DOWN CONSTRUCTION

Concurrent above and below grade construction

Conventionally, buildings with underground basements are built by bottom-up method where
sub-structure and super-structure floors are constructed sequentially from the bottom of the
sub-structure or lowest level of basement to the top of the super-structure. Though this
conventional method, also called as bottom-up method, is simple in both design and
construction, it is not feasible for the gigantic projects with limited construction time and/or
with site constraints. Top-down construction method as the name implies, is a construction
method, which builds the permanent structure members of the basement along with the
excavation from the top to the bottom. Top-down method is mainly used for two types of
urban structures, tall buildings with deep basements and underground structures such as car
parks, underpasses and subway stations. In this case the basement floors are constructed as
the excavation progresses. The top/down method has been used for deep excavation projects
where tieback installation was not feasible and soil movements had to be minimized. Topdown construction method which provides the significant saving of the overall construction
time has been adopted for some major projects where time factor is of primary importance.

The sequence construction begins with retaining wall installation and then load-bearing
elements that will carry the future super-structure. The basement columns (typically steel
beams) are constructed before any excavation takes place and rest on the load bearing
elements. These load bearing elements are typically concrete barrettes constructed under
slurry (or caissons).

PROCEDURE
The typical construction procedure of top down construction is as follows

Construct the retaining wall.

Construct piles. Place the steel columns or stanchions where the piles are constructed.

Proceed to the first stage of excavation.

Cast the floor slab of first basement level

Begin to construct the superstructure

Proceed to the second stage of excavation; cast the floor slab of the second basement level.

Repeat the same procedure till the desired depth is reached

Construct the foundation slab and ground beams, etc. Complete the basement

Keep constructing the superstructure till it gets finished.

INSTALLATION OF RETAINING WALL

The underground retaining wall which is usually a diaphragm wall, is installed before
excavation commences.
Excavation and installation of steel strut

The soil is excavated just below roof slab level of the underground structure. Struts are
installed to support the retaining walls, which in turn support the soil at the sides
Construction of underground structure

The roof slab is constructed, with access openings provided on the slab for works to proceed
downwards. The roof slabs not only provides a massive support across the .
Construction of underground structure

The next level of slab is constructed, and this process progresses downwards till the base
slab is completed
Construction of underground structure

The side walls are constructed upwards, followed by removal of the intermediate struts. The
access openings on the roof slab are then sealed.
Backfilling and reinstatement

After the underground structure is completed, the soil is backfilled to the top strut level
before the strut is removed. This is followed by completely backfilling the top of the
underground structure and finally reinstating the surface areas.

TOP-DOWN CONSTRUCTION (2)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS REQUIRED FOR TOP-DOWN CONSTRUCTION
Design and construction principles for top-down method primarily call for two major
structural elements.

Columns with sufficient capacity must be pre-founded in bored piles or barrettes to sustain
the construction load and to utilize as part of bracing system.

Excavation for basement must be carried out with the support of permanent retaining wall so
that basement floor slabs can be utilized as lateral bracing.
Diaphragm wall of 0.8m to 1.2m in thickness with sufficient embedment in firm soil layers is
commonly used as a retaining wall whereas prefabricated steel columns known as Stanchions

embedded in either large diameter deep-seated bored piles or barrettes are utilized as
structural columns. Figure 1 illustrates the top-down construction method with utilization of
stanchions and diaphragm wall.

Installation of Diaphragm wall

Construction of guide wall

A guide wall is constructed to set out the position of the diaphragm wall.
Excavation of panel

The grab/trench cutter cuts and removes the soil to form the panel. The excavation is
stabilised by filling it with bentonite slurry to support the wall of the excavation.

Installation of Rebar cage and concreting

The crane lifts up the reinforcement-bar cage and places it within the panel. Concrete is
poured into the panel to form the panel wall.
Repetition of process

Process 2 - 4 repeats for the remaining soil in between the panels till the entire length of the
diaphragm wall construction is completed.

TYPES OF STANCHION AND THEIR APPLICATION

General information

Material & Example Application

TYPES OF

limitation

Size

STANCHION

Light stanchion

For semi top-

Limited capacity of light

Steel H-beams

down

stanchion does not allow for

350x350x137kg/m

construction

construction of super

For temporary

structure until completion of

decking

basement construction

For semi and

full top-down
Medium sized

Steel H-beams

construction of

Limited number of super

stanchion

350x350x390 kg/m

shallow to

structure floors construction

medium deep
excavation

Steel H-beams
508x457x738kg/m
Composite steel

Full top-down

Depending on the loading

STANCHION INSTALLATION METHODS

Stanchion installation method is usually selected by the piling contractor who takes into
consideration three main factors such as installation depth, size of stanchion and size of bored
or barrette piles. Though installation details may be different from one contractor to another,
stanchion installation can be categorized under two main methods, post-concreting or
plunging installation and pre-concreting installation or placing stanchion prior to concreting.

Post-concreting installation or plunging method

In this method, stanchion is installed immediately after completion of bored pile concreting
process. General construction sequence involved in this method is demonstrated in Figure 2.

Guide frame is used to install the stanchion at the correct position.

Guide frame is used to install thestanchion at the correct position.

Pre concreting method

In this method, stanchion is installed immediately after completion of drilling and
reinforcement lowering prior to concreting process. In some projects stanchion is attached to
the last section of reinforcement and installed together with the reinforcement. General
construction steps involved in this method are demonstrated in Figure 3.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:
1. The shortened construction period due to simultaneous construction of the basement and
the superstructure.
2. More operational space gained from the advanced construction of floor slabs.
3. The higher stiffness of floor slab compare to steel struts improves the safety of excavation.
4. It is highly suitable for construction for tall buildings with deep basements to be
constructed in urban areas.

Disadvantages:
1. Higher cost (due to the construction of pile foundation)
2. Since the construction period of the basement is lengthened, the lateral displacement of
retaining wall or ground settlement may possible increase due to the influence of creep if the
soil layers are encountered.
3. The construction quality may influence because of worsened ventilation and illumination
under floor slab.
4. It requires highly skilled supervision and labour force.

Case Study

a) The Top-Down Construction in Indonesia:

The top down construction in Indonesia was introduced for the first time in 1994. The project
was the Bank Indonesia C-Building Projects (12 stories, and 3 basement), and PT. (Persero)
Wijaya Karya was the main contractor.
In, 1995 another project was Menara Merdeka Building (30 stories, 3 basement) also built by
top-down construction. The main contractor was joint operation of PT. (Persero)
Pembangunan Perumahan and PT. (Persero) Wijaya Karya.
The largest project in Indonesia that use the top-down construction was Pasar Baru Bandung
Project , 2003. The huge building was consisted 120,000 sq.m, 10 stories plus 3 basements,
and the time line for accomplishing the project was only 8 months. The main contractor was
PT. (Persero) Pembangunan Perumahan.
b)

The one seen here depicts the basement entrance for the Cheung Kong Center projectin

hong kong, which best illustrates the method. The top-down construction method is virtually
the only method suitable for the construction of deep basements on a large scale. One
irresistible advantage of this method is that substructure and superstructure work can be
carried out at the same time.

C)

Top-down basement construction: the permanent RC structure at the top has been

completed but remains supported on temporary steel stanchions, while the excavation and
construction work to the lower basement is yet to be continued. (Lee Gardens)

d)

Another feature of top-down construction is that the ground floor slab (indeed, any slab

close to ground level) is cast first as a starting level to provide the necessary rigidity to the
side supports. This example, from the Festival Walk project, best illustrates the arrangement

Conclusion
From the above report we can conclude that top down constuction has its suitability for
certain kind of mega structures. It is suitable for structures with deep basements like
undergrond rails, car parks etc. It is also very efficient way of doing two way construction to
save time. Skyscrapers with deep basements in urban areas should be constucted using top
down construction. But top down construction needs very efficient planning and designing
and skilled supervision and labour force. Top down construction is the need of the hour as it
is highly time efficient and is becoming popular and is coming more and more in practice
with every passing day.