Events & Photos 6/12/02, More Pan Decks, Columns, Grade Beams

 
Click photo above for closer view. (222 KB file).

The deck for section D has been completed. Approximately 700 yards of concrete were used to complete this section of decking.

The pouring of concrete usually begins at 3:00 AM. Each pour consumes from 260 to over 400 cubic yards. Each concrete truck holds about 40 cubic yards. Scheduling the pour early in the morning enables the concrete trucks to avoid traffic and availability problems. Pouring in the early morning also helps keep the temperature of the concrete within engineering guidelines. Workers are able to stand on the concrete by 7:00 AM to begin finishing the surface. The concrete is ready to bear the load of upper floor construction in 2 weeks.

Pan deck construction is underway for section C. Simultaneously, pans and forms used to construct section D are in the process of being removed. Workers enter the crawlspace under the deck through strategically placed openings. These openings exist solely for removing the equipment from underneath. After use, these 10 ft by 4.5 ft openings are closed up and become a solid part of the deck.

Grade beam construction is on schedule, deck construction is slightly ahead of schedule.

Soon, 6 x 6 wooden "jacks," like the one being demonstrated by field engineer Derek Montgomery, will be used to shore up second floor decking in section D. These jacks will be about 16 ft in length. The jacks utilize a pair of simple but ingenious brackets that tighten the bond between the two wooden piers when downward pressure is applied. A small upward pressure lets the piers slide, giving the jack the ability to be adjusted to any height.

The project has logged 117 days with no lost-time or recordable accidents.