Site Visit: Bristol Road

The new development at Bristol road shows load bearing precast concrete panels with steel roofing. We can see in the photo's the 'C' purlins running parallel to the rafter, as well at the cross bracing.
Because this is only a small residential construction access to the roof structure is far easier. You see the machine that allows access to the roofing structure.

I like this photo because it articulates the connection between the concrete panel and the rafter. You can also see the supports that temporarily hold the precast concrete in place.

Site Visit: Spotlight

Photo's from Site Vist to - 25-27 Settlement Road and 14 Breakwater Road Belmont.

On the day of our site visit we saw the loard bearing precast concrete panels being put up. You can see the truck that transports them from the manufacturers (which was 4 hrs away), as well as the crane lifting them into place. Chris explained at they took a minimum of 4day from the day of ordering to the day of erection as each panel is precast according to the individual shop drawings and needs time for the concrete to cure.
Here you can see the different elements that are precast into the concrete panels, such as the precast steel plates and the pros that hold the concrete on place until enough structure (such as the roof ) has been erected to stabilise and support the panels. You can also see the 'I' beam that butts the tilt up concrete. This image is extremely useful and is what I have referred to for my project as it shows the 'I' beam connecting to the tilt up concrete panels, as well as the underside of a box gutter. Chris has offered to show me some details and shop drawings of this connection in a few weeks when this stage of the building has been completed.
Here we can see the how the Tilt up concrete panels are connected and supported. They are initially precast with plates that latter welded to connect them to the other elements. Corking is also added to allow for fire resistance, slight movement and waterproofing.
I love this photo because it is so clear and easy to understand. We can see the apex of the roof and the connection of the 'I' beams. They are pre fabricated off site with plates on the end and holes for the blots to connect them on site. This apex is connected by 8 bolts. Above the Rafters are the 'Z' purlins, then the safety mesh, sarking and then clip lock roofing.

This shows the additional roof space that was made to allow for an internal climbing wall. Notice the diagonal bracing and added 'I' beams underneath for added support.

This shows the beams supporting the rafters, as well as the 'Z' purlins, cross bracing and safety mesh. The 'I' beams/rafters connect above the vertical beam because the weight can then be distributed more evenly.

Section of Warehouse and Reception

This image was done in greyled and it was difficult to see. So i've redrawn it in finelenner it. I also fixed the connection between to office in the reception.

Portal Frame Section

Portal Frame Detail

This show a portal frame detail, is usually used an large commercial buildings such as Bunning’s. The rigid connections in the frame allows its to span greater distances and the stresses are able to pass through the structure, as it acts as one.

Corking and Bolt

Corking. A gap is left between concrete construction to allow for movement and settling this can be seen in the photo to the right, that shows the gap filled by silicon corking, for fire safety.
The Tilt-up concrete slabs are also held together, supported and connected by a bolt. When the concrte if pored gaps are left so that the bolts can be latter added to connect the load bearing tilt up concrete panel’s together. This bolt also needs to be welded.

Post Tention Cables

Post Tension Stress Cables, are a major support for the concrete slab construction. Before the concrete is pored the stress cables are fused at one end and laid in a wavey motion. 24 hrs after the poring process the cables are pulled by the onions at one end. This process is repeated a week later to asses the strength of the concrete. The pulling tension straightens the waves in the cable, to help hold up the concrete slab construction. On the image to the left we can see by the pink marks how much the cable has been pulled by.