KA Block Update- August/September 2016
Work proceeds on the KA Block. Despite one of the wettest summers on record, the block is progressing on track, with the erection of a second tower crane, and the concrete pouring of the future first floor of our new headquarters building; and the commencement of steel erection. Project Manager Chad Rempe and Project Superintendent Terry Coleman report on the results.
Q: What have been the highlights of the work done in August?
CHAD REMPE: When it wasn’t raining, we were able to manage to get 4 of 15 structural slabs poured; the most notable of which being Level 1 of the KA Office Building, which was completed on 8/31/16.
Q: August also saw the addition of a 161-ft. (hook height) tower crane to the site, and the raising of the first crane to a height of 243 feet. How do these cranes work safely together?
TERRY COLEMAN: There are actually three cranes working on the site, including a smaller mobile crane being used in the steel erection. The three cranes have an open radio channel for clear communication to coordinate the timing of load lifts. They are also different heights, so the swing arms can’t hit each other.
Q: Steel work is now under way on the KA headquarters building. How much
steel is being used? What’s the schedule for erection?
TERRY COLEMAN: Steel erection started right after Labor Day. After the first day, the weather has been ideal. It’s has been cool and clear sailing for a week now. There are 18 iron workers on site. It is progressing on schedule for a completion the first week of October. The last beam is being painted and will be available for signing at the Circle Pines Yard at the end of September. 360 View
Q: Any stats as to the weight/length of the steel components?
TERRY COLEMAN: There are 543 tons of steel in the columns and beams. There are 1,031 squares of decking. One of the largest beams is 33″ tall, 35′ long, weighing 5,300 lbs.
Q: Where was the steel produced?
TERRY COLEMAN: At American Structural Metals in Somerset, Wisconsin.
Q: Are you incorporating just- in -time delivery?
TERRY COLEMAN: The steel is being delivered daily in the order to be erected. It is coming directly from the supplier each day. In an effort to reduce field welded parts, the embeds for the precast were attached to the pour stops at the factory. This requires greater coordination in making the steel, but should lead to less time welding on the edge, high above the ground.
Q: How are you staging the materials upon arrival?
TERRY COLEMAN: Each truckload is unloaded on to the ground beside the crane. The pieces are then erected between truck loads. We have arranged for the semi load of spray-on fireproofing to be delivered as needed to avoid moving materials on site. When that work begins, there will be a crane, concrete pump and deliveries along Eighth Street. Small deliveries that can be boomed into place will prevent having material to forklift around right away.
Q: What is on schedule for September?
TERRY COLEMAN: Vertical Improvements for both the KA office building and residential tower began in September. KA office building structural steel began week of 9/5/16 and residential tower concrete columns and structural slabs began week of 9/19/16.
Q: What was involved in pouring of the floor of our building?
TERRY COLEMAN: Pouring of the KA office building took a lot of careful coordination laying out all of the various embedded items to be cast into the slab, including but not limited to the following:
1. Structural steel column anchor bolts
2. Steel stair and miscellaneous metals embeds
3. Precast support embeds
4. Granite support embeds
5. Curtainwall support embeds
6. Sheet pile foundation wall connection embeds
7. Elevator divider beam embeds
8. Power/Data floor box layout
KA and affected subcontractors relied heavily upon 3D modeling to insure embedded items were conflict free and placed correctly. Additionally, the KA VDC/BIM group, working closely with Project Superintendent Al Zaffke, scanned the entire slab prior to pour to document location of embedded items for future use.
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