Construction and Structures 2: 2007

Site Visit 6

Geelong Fabrication

Manager John Whitehead

Steel Fabricator

Painting of steel

Sandblasting of steel

Bunnings Warehouse
Waurn Ponds, Geelong

The structure is a type long-span portal frame. This photo shows the rigid connection at the apex of the structure. Haunching has been used for structural stability.

This photo shows a typical knee joint with haunching and fly bracing. The purlins and box guttering can also be seen in the roof structure along with sarking and safety mesh. Girt are also used to fix the external cladding to the structure.

Detail of fly bracing

20mm diameter rod bracing has been used in the roof of the portal frame.

Article 1

This article looks at an alternative method of formwork to traditional systems. The formwork system was developed by ICF Contracting and consists of lightweight, stippable plastics planks and may be used for either permanent formwork or temporary.

May 2007, 'True to form', Building Product News, vol. 1, no.4, p.24.

Site Visit 4

Galframe Commercial Development
Cowie Rd, North Geelong

Temporary bracing fixed to concrete panel cladding.

This photo shows the span of the portal frame being constructed. The portal frame in this case does not use standard universal columns and universal beams.

Storage of safety mesh which will be used in the roof structure.

Lifting insert cast into concrete panel.

Detail of temporary bracing bolted to cast in bracing insert in concrete floor slab.

External view of development. Once completed the building will include numerous warehouse storage areas and offices.

Detail of ridig base connection between column and footing - the column is bolted down using 4 holding down bolts located away from the centre line of the column.

Major Assignment Research

Transportation of Pre-cast Concrete Panels to Site
The photos below were taken at the Deakin University Waterfront Campus Development.

The following points should be considered in the transportation of concrete panels to site:

The size, shape and weight of the panel. Panels must be designed to taken into consideration transportation to site and factors such as size, shape and weight of the panel may be limitted by the ability to transport the panel.
Concrete strength required for transportation.
Traffic regulations
All-weather access to and around the site
The ability of permanent structure to support transport loads.
Panel protection. The panel must be appropriately secured to the vehicle before transportation.
Loading and unloading sequence
Permits
Temporary storage of panels once on site.

Lifting of Panel

Site Visit 3

Pacific Brands Warehouse, Altona

Photo of knee joint - the rafters are constructed out of trusses instead of universal beams to maximise the column free span of the warehouse

External view of warehouse

This photo details the connection between a universal column and concrete panel. This is the detail I have choosen to construct for my major assignment model. The column is bolted to the concrete panel using cast-in ferrules. Alternatively the column can be site welded onto cast-in steel plates. In this example the concrete only extends part way up the wall. The rest of the cladding is constructed out of lightweight metal sheeting. Concrete panels are used on the lower section of the wall as a security measure however it is not economical to construct the complete wall out of concrete panels.

Site Visit 2

Commercial Development
Site Location: Princes Hwy, Belmont, Geelong
Builder: Lyon Construction

Panel to Panel Connection

Source: Cement & Concrete Association of Australia (July, 2001). The Concrete Panel Homes Handbook: A guide to the design and detailing of concrete panel construction for housing. Retrieved May 16, 2007, from, http://www.concrete.net.au/search.php?category=Walls%20-%20non-loadbearing&menu=4

This photo details the rigid connection between a universal beam and loadbearing concrete wall panel.

This photo illustrates the use of fly bracing in the roof structure and is connected to the rafter and the purlin. Safety mesh can also be seen in the roof structure.