KA Block Update- August 2016

Reinforcing steel at the KA Block construction site in downtown Minneapolis

Project Superintendent Allen Zaffke provided this update on the KA Block project, progressing on the downtown Minneapolis block bounded by Eighth and Ninth streets and Fifth and Portland avenues.

What Were the KA Block Project Highlights During the Previous Four Weeks?

Allen Zaffke: There were many highlights, but five stood out:

  1. The team established start dates for the office building, August 22, 2016, and the residential tower, September 16, 2016. This allowed the broader KA Block team to begin scheduling procurement and subcontractor activities for both projects.
  2. The team began and completed structural review of the first post-tensioned deck pour below the office footprint at parking level P1. The deck was poured Thursday, July 28.
  3. Public site utilities were completed, including water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer. This work constrained project mobility because services for three buildings were brought in from public streets, affecting traffic flow for both the public and the project.
  4. Concrete placement continued at a significant pace. Every third day, crews placed at least 260 cubic yards of concrete. The largest pour, 580 cubic yards, was for the residential tower elevator and stair core footing. Average placements were approximately 350 cubic yards.
  5. Jobsite safety continued to stand out. The KA team and trade partners maintained a high level of participation, creating a safe workplace for everyone on the project.

How Did Pull Planning Support Decking and Concrete Work?

Zaffke: Pull-planning sessions drove the process and workflow. When each subcontractor came to the table to understand the schedule and anticipated progress of other trade partners, it raised expectations and established a real-time schedule for collaborative planning.

The process helped trade partners understand one another’s needs and requirements, supporting a Lean delivery schedule.

Pull planning continued after decking and concrete pours began. It remained part of planning for all deck pours, the office building and the apartment tower. Foremen participated in the planning so real-time conditions and task details were represented.

How Large Was the Jobsite Crew?

Zaffke: Approximately 50 people worked on-site each day. The number changed based on the concrete-pour volume and the amount of reinforcing steel required.

Trade partners on-site included Northland Concrete & Masonry, Woody’s Rebar, CECO, Major Mechanical, Metropolitan Mechanical, Hunt Electric, Olympia Tech Electric, Ramsey Excavating, United Water & Sewer, Olympic Drywall, Ahern Fire, Concrete Coatings and Braun Intertec.

How Were Materials and Deliveries Managed in Downtown Minneapolis?

Zaffke: Deliveries arrived on an as-needed basis through a Lean delivery schedule. At that stage, demand for site staging was limited, but it was expected to increase as the office and apartment teams mobilized.

Materials arrived by truck and were immediately lifted by tower crane and placed where needed. Access to Interstate 35W helped trucks enter and exit the downtown site efficiently.

What Did the Webcam Show Near Ninth Street and Portland Avenue?

Zaffke: The U-shaped structure was the elevator and stair core, along with primary shear walls for the apartment building.

Two east-west walls were shear walls that gave the residential tower stability. The north-south walls formed the beginning of the ramp to the lower parking level. Other concrete components were structural support columns throughout the facility.

Foundation footing pads along Ninth Street at the KA Block project

What Were the Concrete Pads Along Ninth Street?

 

Zaffke: The footing pads, poured July 26, marked the beginning of the Brewtel foundation at the southeast corner of the site and the final phase of the foundation package. The following day, crews excavated the elevator core and formed the foundation for a July 28 pour.

Did July Heat Affect the Schedule?

Zaffke: Weather, including heat and rain, did not affect the project schedule. KA acquired Minneapolis environmental permits that allowed work to begin at 5 a.m., helping crews work during cooler parts of the day. Trade partners took advantage of the early start.

What Was Planned for August?

Zaffke: The official start of the new Kraus-Anderson office building was planned for August.

The second tower crane was scheduled for installation beginning August 15, a four-day activity. The first tower crane was scheduled to be raised an additional 100 feet on Saturday, August 13.

Elevated decks were expected to progress quickly. Watch the KA Block project update, the start of headquarters and residential-tower construction, a tower-crane operator’s perspective and Lean Construction safety engagement.

CATEGORY: Construction