Micropile Drill Rigs
August 9, 2010
Drill rigs have become a common sight on commercial construction job sites due to their versatility. Because construction sites offer unlimited variations of challenges, manufactures of drill rigs have developed technically advance machines that provide site managers and subcontractors with multiple options to facilitate speedy solutions when time is of the essence.
Unlike projects that are located on wide open spaces, renovation construction project managers must take into consideration a multitude of existing variables. Renovation challenges may include jobsites with limited access, limited overhead space, confined spaces, and the need for businesses (both onsite and adjacent) to be minimally impacted. For these reasons, a variety of options are available for use.
Project manager are sometimes challenged with the need to provide additional foundational support to existing structures. These situations result in the need for creative solutions. In most cases the existing structures pose limitations that can be resolved with traditional drill rigs.
Many manufacturers have addressed this need with low overhead drilling rigs. Some of these rigs require as little as six feet of overhead clearance to drill micropiles. To add to their allure, most of these machines also utilize rubber tracks instead of traditional steel tracks. This allows operators to enter into buildings without damaging the existing slab.
Other features that make these micro drilling rigs desirable are the ability to separate the power source from the drill rig. These attributes prove to be highly valuable, especially in situations where existing businesses wish to remain open while undergoing the construction renovation. By locating the power source in a location that is outside of the building, business owners do not experience the exhaust fumes from the diesel engines that are necessary to power the drill rigs. Placing the diesel engine outside of the structure also greatly reduces the noise that accompanies piling equipment.
Another feature that makes working with micro pile driving drill rigs is the ability of the mast to move separately of the base. Repositioning the entire machine to drill each hole can be extremely difficult in limited access operations. Intelligent design allows an operator to swing the mast from side to side as much as 120 degrees. This permits successful operation in confined spaces.
As renovations become more complex resulting from the desire of building owners to upgrade an existing structure instead of razing it and rebuilding, project managers and construction firms must continue to leverage cutting edge technologies offered by drill rig manufacturers to maintain cost efficiencies. Drill rigs that offer versatility and functionality in small spaces have become the solutions that are most often requested.
We have more information at Micropile Drill Rigs.
Deep Pile Contractors Excel at Aldhar HQ
August 12, 2010
Deep pile contractors and building engineers are continually pushing the limits of commercial construction capabilities through their aggressively unique projects. The Aldar HQ building in Abu Dhabi is a coin shaped building that combined both an unbelievably aggressive timeline and a foundation that had no previous benchmarks to follow.
Engineers called the building process a "leap of faith" with construction being one step ahead of the blueprints development due to the unprecedented timeline. The project's ownership wished to have the building completed so that it could be gazed upon and toured by the masses that were predicted to be present during the city's inaugural grand prix event; which was less than 30 months from the time that the designers felt comfortable about the blueprints.
Due to its circular design (a round disc on its edge) the building has a narrow base in context with the wide edges. This created a difficulty in the foundation's design. High force winds are present in the area which puts stress on the foundation elements. The most prominent winds in the region are gusty winds that are the result of thunderstorms. The intense sun heats the moist air in the spring causing these storms that can result in winds of up to 85 miles per hour. Experts who understand the area have learned that thunderstorms create winds that are the strongest between 160-490 feet above ground. The design of the Aldar HQ puts most of the structure in this zone.
The aggressive timeline did not permit enough time to perform proper wind tunnel tests before work on the foundation began. To gather accurate data as it relates to wind impact, wind engineers built a scale replica of the entire city. This gave them insight into how winds moved across the landscape, and more importantly, how the winds would impact the structure of the project. Engineers anticipated that the wind would result in a force that wishes to "twist" the structure. Wind test engineers were delighted to convey the information that their studies confirmed that the structure would be able to withstand the expected gusty winds.
To prepare the foundation crews had to build a diaphragm wall made of interlocking concrete panels that they could "socket" into the bedrock. Upward pressure of water and loose sand created a challenge that was addressed by the construction of a diaphragm wall. This wall (also known as a "D-wall") is a variation of a cofferdam that is used to hold back water and sand so that the foundation area can be excavated. All material inside of the wall was removed.
400 concrete piles were used. Half of the piles rely on friction to the ground to secure the structure to the rock and sand below. The other half of the piles was driven into the rock to dissipate the immense loads in to the ground.
The circular building required a core skeleton on which the 65,000 tons of weight would rest. Engineers designed a dual core system made of steel and concrete to support the weight. The twin spines rose 410 feet from the slab, and the concrete had to be cast in place without any flaws that resulted in two individual columns being constructed. The challenge was met with a "slip form" approach. The method is executed by pouring liquid concrete into a giant form that progresses up the spine as it is cast; each casting becomes the foundation for the next pour. A "diagrid" made of steel provided the exoskeleton on which the external of the project is housed. 99 "A-frame" panels each weighing near 30 tons were required to complete the framework.
The intelligence of deep pile engineers and the critical equipment that exists in today's marketplace result in the ability to convert a design into a fascinatingly ornate commercial "work of art."
Savvy commercial foundation contractors can provide insight and practical solutions resulting from their ability to draw on years of experience in a wide variety of similar situations. Foundation Contractors was founded in 1971 in Northern California and provides unparalleled expertise on complex foundation projects.
Commercial Construction Equipment
August 9, 2010
Taking on an industrial construction project is in fact a serious thing for contractors as it acts as both an image for business and means of satisfying demands for facilities and space. Obviously, one will not take this very aspect of business lightly. Selecting the right commercial construction firm is a definite way to ensure that business's image is created appealingly and more importantly professionally. One needs to choose a firm that exhibits efficiency in the areas of customer cooperation, planning and proper execution. This will certainly help one make sure that the whole process runs smoothly, without a glitch.
Key Commercial Construction Equipment
Equipment for commercial construction may range from very heavy and large to portable and light, and each serves a unique purpose. Below are some of the most common types of construction equipment that are used for a wide variety of commercial construction projects.
• Pile Driving Equipment: The best place to start is with the equipment that drives the piles for building or bridge support. Structures from skyscrapers to parking garages must have huge support columns driven deep into the ground to safely support any load bearing building. This is highly specialized equipment. To learn more about how pile driving equipment visit our website.
• Crane: There are many types of cranes; each specialized to perform in specific conditions. Cranes are designed primarily to lift large loads. In the case of pile driving they are designed to "hold" a large "hammer" that drives the pile. Most people have seen the crawler type cranes that have tall lifting arms with large "hooks" on the end to lift steel beams, lumber etc. The other common crane is the one used to build skyscrapers. This is a modified version of the common crane and designed to be moved as the building is built higher.
• Crawler: This is a construction vehicle which is also called front loader, scoop loader, front end loader or bucket loader. This equipment is often utilized to move materials to other machinery, including rail car, open-trench excavation, conveyor or dump truck.
• Backhoe Loader: This is construction equipment which has a shovel or front bucket, and smaller backhoe in rear part. Due to its easy maneuverability and comparatively smaller size, the backhoe loader is generally used for smaller construction projects. In fact, it works fine in rural areas on projects like road repair.
• Excavator: Excavators have wide a assortment of purposes, for both construction and farm work. Some excavators can even help in digging trenches, foundations and holes, cutting brush, demolishing structures, handing materials, driving pile and carrying out forestry work.
Other types of commercial construction equipment might include a road roller, forklift, loader and motorized cultivator. We don't have the space to discuss each of these specialized forms of equipment but this will give you a start in learning more about commercial construction equipment.
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