Events & Photos 9/17/02, One More Slab, Steel Goes Up
Click the photo above for a closer view (262KB file).
Work is underway to strip the pan deck and forms from the roof of section C on the fourth level. Steel for the wall partitions is being installed on the first floor of sections D & C. Partitions are being mapped out on the second level. Cleanup operations are progressing on the third level.
Forms and pan decks are being set for the roof of section A. The section A roof will be the last slab pour for the building and is tentatively scheduled for next Wednesday.
Today, workers began installing a "material hoist" along side section C, the tallest part of the building. One worker is assigned as the hoist operator and only allows the hoist to be used for building materials.
Structural steel is being used in section D to complete the second level and for the dining room. The steel is assembled by welding and through the use of
"lejeune bolts." The bolts are tensioned to exacting standards through the use of powered shear wrenches. The steel is delivered as needed, usually in two to three truckloads carrying 80,000 to 120,000 pounds of prefabricated parts. The structural steel work for section D is progressing quickly and may be complete in less than 2 weeks.
Throughout the project, work is inspected by Jerry Dunkin, Construction Inspector for the Office of Facilities, Planning and Construction, part of the University of Texas System. Jerry ensures construction conforms to specifications, and performs quality assurance functions. For example, this morning Jerry participated in air duct pressure tests.
The North gate on Drive A has been closed. Nearby electrical work will be tying in feeder lines to an existing 500KvA transformer. The transformer is temporarily supplying electricity to the construction trailers and the workers on the construction site. Switch gear will begin arriving the first week of October. When complete, the switch gear assembly will be 37 feet long, including two 2000KvA transformers. A
"hi-pot" test is planned for the end of October. The goal is to have the building connected to the University system around the Thanksgiving holiday. The project is hoping for a working heating system by Christmas.
There are approximately 111 people working on site today:
- Addison Harrington (deck pouring & finishing): not on site today
- Baker Drywall (interior, exterior): 14 people
- Brandt Engineering (plumbing): 16 people
- Compass Steel (structural steel): 8 people
- Encompass (electrical): 16 people
- Great Western (steel rebar): 10 people
- Hensel Phelps (project management & column pouring): 20 people
- Westbrook Construction (forms for columns & decks): 27 people
