MODEL

SITE VISIT 3

The 3rd site visit was also in the Paramount Industrial Development. This project, in comparison to the 2nd site was much larger and complex. BMF Construction were the submitted the winning tender for the project, which was priced at approx $20m. Total Care Logistics are the client, and the project involves the construction of a 90m by 140m truck depot.

Above, temporary bracing can be seen in between the portal frames. This is installed before the concrete panels have been put in place, but can not be removed until an engineer has given his consent to do so.

Below is an example of permanent bracing. The size of the permanent bracing is much bigger than the temporary bracing, and is in the shape of an 'L' as opposed to the smalled rod that acts as temporary bracing.

Bracing in between the 'C' girts is visible in the above photo, and below, fly brace between the stanchioin can be seen connecting to the 'C' girts and purlins.

Steel plates cast into the concrete known as 'diamond dowels' can be seen above. These are to prevent the adjoining slab from rising/ or sinkning when it is poured, but allows for lateral movement.

Architectural specifications do not always work in practice. In the photo above, the stanchion can not be placed where it was intended to be by the architect. The capping and flashing required to cover the bottom of the 'orb' cladding where it meets the precast panels protrudes slightly from the facade, making it impossible for the stanchion to be placed hard up against the precast panels, as specified by the architect.

The site as can be seen when passing by on the Western Ring Road.

ARTICLE 6 - SCIENCE OF BRICK

www.channels.com/catalog/playlist/811/megastructures#catalog/bookmark/7501/science-of-brick

The National Geographic channel's program 'Megastructures' covers some of the leading events in the construction industry. In a recent episode, it took a look into one of the world's first building materials, - brick.

The episode looked at some of the truly remarkable brick structures in the world, such as the Great Wall of China, and gave a in depth look into the transformation of brick from its raw stages to the final product.

ARTICLE 5 - WORLD'S TALLEST BRIDGE

The Millau Viaduct (le Viaduc de Millau), designed by structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, is the tallest bridge in the world.

It spans the valley of the River Tarn in southern France, and reaches a height of 343m at its highest point, making it taller than the Eiffle Tower, and only 38m smaller than the Empire State Building.

http://www.channels.com/catalog/playlist/811/megastructures#catalog/bookmark/7530/worlds-tallest-bridge

SITE VISIT 2

The second site i visited was located in the Paramount Industrial Development, in Deer Park, just a few minutes off the Western Ring Road. It is being constructed by TCC Builders, and was designed by Steven Deandra (Arch.)

The above image shows the spacing of the portal frames.
Safety mesh, 'C' purlins and bracing between the purlins is also easily identifiable.

A close up of the knee joint, showing stiffening plates on either side of the stanchions (column) flanges, which assist in making the connection at the knee joint more rigid.

The 'I' beam supporting the apex has a much smaller cross-sectional size compared to the stanchions.
Haunching is also evident at the apex, helping to reduce deflection of the rafters.

The above image shows the HD bolts which have been cast into the pad footing and secure the stanchion to the ground through a base plate.
A welded cleat is also visible and connects the pre-cast panel to the stanchion.

The two panels in the above photo are acting as lintels over an opening. They are seated on steel cleats to support them, and then later connected by a steel plate and bolts which are secured into ferrels cast into the panels. The joint will later be covered over.

The above three images show how the 'C' purlins are supported when there is not a portal frame in place to support them. A long steel cleat is secured to the pre-cast panles to support them, and a smaller cleat on the far side of the purlin is bolted through to keep them upright.

ARTICLE 4 - PRECAST CONCRETE

http://www.npcaa.com.au/images/file/Precaster_48_May_final.pdf

Issue Number 48 by National Precaster

The issue gives a great insight to connection/ joint methods between pre-cast panels and the disadvantages and advantages of 'open drained joints', 'face sealed joints' and 'compression sealed joints'. It also touches on the structural capabilities of precast concrete used at the new Bulk Liquids Berth at Dampier's Burrup Peninsula in northern WA. The project incorperated precast pile caps, beams and planks.

The issue also provided a case study on the construction of the Meander Dam in Northern Tasmania, which is using a high speed construction method ofprecast and roller compacted concrete (RCC). The project is quite remarkable, consisting of over 4,000 precast panels.