Samenvatting

This thesis explores how column placement in a semi-sunken parking garage can be optimised to enhance traffic flow, maximise parking capacity, and reliably transfer structural loads from four residential floors above. The project is based on the Sea & City development in Vlissingen, the Netherlands—a constrained urban site requiring strict compliance with Eurocode 2 and NEN 2443 standards.

Five structural variants were developed: a flat slab system, one-way and two-way beam-supported slabs, and a thick flat slab without internal supports. Each variant was assessed for structural feasibility, compliance with a 2.30 m headroom requirement (allowing only 300 mm structural depth), and functional performance in terms of parking layout and circulation.

Despite multiple approaches, including the use of post-tensioned slabs and beam grids, none of the proposed variants fully satisfied all spatial, structural, and architectural constraints. Structurally sound designs generally exceeded the available depth, while compliant layouts required compromises that disrupted upper-floor functionality or reduced architectural efficiency. Variant 1, based on a dense column grid with a flat slab, was ultimately selected as the most practical option due to its simplicity, structural robustness, and minimal interference with the residential layout, despite requiring minor adjustments to meet clearance standards.

The findings highlight the trade-offs inherent in integrated parking and residential design, demonstrating the value of early structural and spatial coordination. Recommendations include considering flexible structural zones in the early design stages and exploring advanced methods, such as post-tensioning or hybrid systems, in future projects with similar requirements.