To address the shortage of government-owned premises in Kowloon and to meet the Government’s office accommodation requirements the Trade and Industry Tower, a joint-user government office building in the Kai Tak Development Area, is now under construction. The TI Tower will consist of 22 storeys above ground and a single storey basement, providing a total net operational floor area of around 33000 m².
 
The main contractor for the project is Dragages H.K. Ltd, a well respected company with a 50 year history in the region. Dragages has sub-contracted the steel sheet piling job to Houtai Construction Limited and the H piling job to K.H. Foundations Ltd.


Houtai has chosen Oriental Sheet Piling’s PU22 S355GP sheet piles. The PU22 has a 600mm width, which is 50% wider than typical sheet piles. By selecting wider sheet piles the installation cycle is reduced significantly as a lot of maneuvering and positioning work is eliminated. Estimate 33% installation cycle reduced. Edward Kung, sales engineer at OSP Hong Kong, explains that the PU22 S355GP have a number of advantages over the standard Type IV SY295 sheet pile: “these piles have significantly higher minimum yield strength at 355MPa, compared to 295MPa of regular sheet piles. The wider piles also offer a 25% weight saving, with 144kg/m2, instead of Type IV 190kg/m2, and 22% better deflection characteristics due to its dimensions. A final benefit is increased bending strength, showing a 14.3% improvement due to the piles dimensions and physical properties.” Edward continues:”Using fewer individual sheet piles also increases water tightness as there are fewer interlocks in the structure.”
 
The outsized sheet piles require a combination of a 160TU hydraulic clamp and powerful hydraulic vibratory hammer like the 815C. The sheet piles were driven to depth of 18m to 21m by the ICE 815C hammer. This hammer is fitted with a cooling system that ensures the bearings do not overheat so that driving can be fully continuous.
 
During construction, noise, dust and site run-off nuisances is to be controlled to within established standards. ICE vibratory hammers set the industry standard for sound insulation and fit well within this nuisance reduction planning. ICE power packs are built to the latest European emission standards and are fitted with fuel efficient engines and the best exhaust filters.
 
Once completed the TI Tower will complement other Government and Community facilities in Kowloon, providing a range of public services in Kowloon East. Of the 10 bureaus and departments to be housed in the TI Tower, seven will provide frontline services to the public, including teacher registration, postal services, employment and labor relation services, land administration services for railway projects, referral of welfare services, student finance as well as support and advisory services for small and medium-sized enterprises. The addition of a community hall with a stage seating capacity of 450 will further ensure that the tower will energize the local area.