Client: Ku-Ring-Gai Council
Location: Saint Ives, NSW
The Hassall Park Cricket Nets project for Ku-ring-gai Council involved the design of a lightweight, long-span steel and mesh structure supporting cricket practice nets. Design actions were governed primarily by wind loads and localised impact from cricket ball strike.
Partridge reviewed a range of light and medium gauge steel framing systems in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and span tables to develop an efficient structural layout with minimal internal obstructions.
The span tables accounted for repeated impact loading from cricket balls striking the netting and supporting elements, with appropriate consideration given to serviceability and detailing requirements. Wind actions on the permeable netting system were also considered, with reduced effective loading due to mesh porosity incorporated into the structural design.
Coordination was undertaken with specialist sports facility suppliers and netting contractors to ensure compatibility between the structural framing and proprietary systems, including fixing interfaces and installation requirements
The foundation system comprised a reinforced concrete slab on compacted granular base, adopted in lieu of a typical residential-style slab system to better suit anticipated usage and durability requirements within a public park environment.
