ST. PAULA MONTAL CBSE SCHOOL
location: Mukkalampadu
Super built-up area: 70000+ sq. ft
This site is located at Mukkalampadu village in Kanyakumari district. This site sits in a rainfall rich area with ponds and canals nearby. As it may sound good for the ecology, it proved challenging for construction activities during the excavation stage.
A single block of over 50,000 sq. ft building in a G+2 format was planned to be constructed. Soil testing results showed varied SBC within the boundary of the building. In one half of the section, an underground water table run-off was detected with the soil being clayey and unstable. This led to multiple foundation design with both isolated footing and mat foundation being used. The water had to be pumped out frequently during the foundation concrete to preserve the concrete grade. A trench had to be made for the water to flow and collect it at various points. For the even settlement of the soil, all the columns were connected at the grade beam level irrespective of the foundation type. The refilling earth was made by a mixture of gravel and sand to prevent the compaction settlement.
The water collected from the rooftop and other surface rain offs were diverted to a couple of wells within the campus which enables to recharge the ground water and also draw less ground water for the day-to-day gardening and other activities. The natural water streams were unhindered by constructing a drainage system exclusively for those and connecting them to water channels which further connect to a pond nearby.