Thursday 22 October 2009
All the steel work is on site and being completed to both the new sixth form building and the science extension. While the steelwork to Phase 2 Lower block is being erected, the reinforcement is being laid for the concrete ground bearing slab to the upper block. These will reinforce the ground floor slab over ground that has clay in it. As the ground below the lower block shrinks in dry conditions and heaves during wet periods, the reinforced ground floor slab will not be affected. Here you can see the site operatives laying the concrete as it is pumped onto the site and ‘tamping’ it down onto the reinforcement.
The steel frame has been erected to the science block extension and the pre-cast concrete beams have been laid with concrete block infills to form the ground floor. You can see the site operative laying the drainage from the building. He is using clay pipes. The drainage is very shallow in this area, so he has to be very careful that the gradient of the pipes is accurate.
The first floor metal decking is being laid over the steel floor beams. The sheets are shot fired to the primary steel structure using large bolts, which will protrude into the concrete infill to form a homogenous structure. You may have noticed the site operatives testing these fixings by trying to lever them off. If the fixings bend they need to be replaced.
What’s happening next?
Over the next few weeks you will see:
• Completion of Phase 2 steels to lower block
• Steel decking to roofs
• Concrete infill to beam and block ground and first floors