Steel Detailing | Precast Detailing | Estimation

Month: September 2022

  • TYPES OF CRANES FOR PRECAST BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

    About Crane:

    Cranes are used for loading and unloading the precast walls on yard or site. Each precast walls or components are usually large and heavy weight, so cranes are required to lift them. And also, cranes are easily done when set the precast position while erecting on site. It will help to reduce manpower and cost of precast wall lifting and also to reduce construction time delay.

    We mainly used two types of cranes on both factory and site.

    1. Tower crane (Ref. Fig 01)
    2. Mobile crane (Ref. Fig 02)

      1. Tower Crane:
    • For precast construction the tower cranes are playing major role to handle precast walls in the yard and also during erection on site.
    • It’s mainly used for multi storied building construction.
    • Tower cranes are inbuilt on site. So, safety, selection, placement, and reliability of tower cranes are very important to completion of Precast buildings on time.
    • It is proven to be safe, long lasting and very fast in construction
    • The big issue is wind acting on the tower crane. The small collision may lead to big accidents or damage the precast elements and also delay in completion of job. So, while fixing the tower crane we need to fix in proper placement to avoid unwanted damages and waste of cost.
    • Tower cranes are fixed on site so it can’t be moved to one place to another.
    • Tower crane is used to multi-levels building’s to lifting the panels from ground floor to needed level. But it has limitations to cover wide area.


    Fig.01

    2. Mobile crane:

    • Mobile cranes can be used to lift, carry, and place materials in many applications.
    • For tilt-up construction jobs can be completed quickly, accurately, and safely.
    • Sometimes mobile cranes are help for tower cranes to rotate and move the precast walls from truck or site.
    • It will also help for loading and unloading the precast walls from the truck.
    • The wind energy will not affect while lifting precast walls when compared to tower cranes.
    • Mobile cranes are movable. So, if we need to move any other places it is easy.
    • And it’s used for mainly single-story building construction.
    • It is compact in size so it’s can’t occupy more place on site.
    • Compare to tower crane we can’t use this crane for multi-levels building. But it’s used to cover the wide range of area on site.

    Fig.02

  • PURPOSE OF SPANDREL OVER ON MARKING PLAN

    • When preparing marking plans, we need to show all spandrels set-outs on the plan layout that are fixing into the slab over. (Refer Fig.01 & 02)
    • It will help to find out which spandrel comes at level above.
    • While scheduling the current level panels, mean time it will helps to scheduling the above level spandrels.
    • And, it will help to manufacturing and erecting the spandrels with lower-level panels at same time.
    • For site crews, they also aware when pouring slab and erecting panel sequence without any time delay on site with reference marking plan.
    • It will reduce time consumption to plan for both manufacturing and erecting panels.
      Fig. 01 (Snap for Reference Marking Plan)

    Fig. 02 (Snap for Reference Elevation)

  • 105, LEWIS ROAD

    105, LEWIS ROAD

  • CONSIDERATION OF PRECAST LID SHOP DWGS

    The purpose of LID panel:

    LID panels are most commonly used for covering up the openings on building roof areas and also some inner part of the building where the precast slab is required. It can be seen in locations like lifts, stairs, water tanks, etc.

    LID PANEL ON LIFT

    LID PANEL ON STAIR

    Manufacturing consideration of LID panels:

    • Viewing direction of the lid panel is either plan view or view from below. Depending on consideration of manufacturing difficulties and near face finish and different profile requirements, it may change as vice-versa.
    • If lifting eye/ hook is projecting outside of lid means, we have to view the face with lifting eye as near face for manufacturing purposes. (Refer lifting hook/eye elevation view)
    • In lift lid, lifting hook/ lifting eye needs to be provided if it needs to be cast in the lid. Lifting hook detail normally given in lift drawing. (Refer lifting hook/eye placement plan view)
    • We can provide face lifters and either top or side lifters used for erection, lifting off table and transportation purposes.
    • Face lifters were used for installation of the lid on site. Whether its need to be near face or Far face is decided by viewing direction.
    • Bottom connection of lid most likely by grout tube to its lower panel or In-situ.

    LIFTING HOOK/EYE ELEVATION VIEW

    LIFTING HOOK/EYE PLACEMENT PLAN VIEw

  • Difference between Normal Table and Tilt up Table

    General Details about table:

    • Tables are used for fabrication of precast panels in factories or yards with good quality, finish, curing and low time consumption.
    • Different types of materials used for tables like timber, aluminum and steel. But steel is mainly used for tables because it’s good for repetitions, gives good vibration to concrete, it’s not easily damaged and tables do not expand when it’s wet, etc.
    • The cleaning process is also easily done for steel tables with the help of air blowing or cotton waste.
    • In the yard there are different types of tables used for fabrication.
      For example normal fabrication tables and tilt up tables.

    Normal table:

    • Normal tables are mainly used to fabricate most of the precast panels.
      (Refer Fig 1)

    Fig 1

    • Advantages:
    • Normal tables will not take more manpower for cleaning and fabrication of precast panels.
    • The maintenance is easy
    • The cost is low when compared to other types of table.
    • It can easily fix where we need to fabricate the panels.
    • It will be fixed on the floor, so the visibility of the table is good for all.
    • Disadvantages:
    • It’s not suitable for doors or big opening panels. Because in case of lifting panels it may break.
    • Normal table needs additional lifting support.

    Tilt up table:

    • The tilt up tables are mainly used for Doors and big opening panels and also other types of panels. (Refer Fig 2 & 3)
    • The tilting process allows the precast concrete element to be removed safely and without damaging it.
    • The titling tables are designed in particular for mobile use and can be quickly transported from the yard.
      Fig 2


      Fig 3

    • Advantages:
    • This table is good for fabricating and lifting the door, opening type of panels.
    • Hydraulic Tilt up Tables reduce manufacturing time because it’s not require more pouring time to lift the panel from table.
    • Vibration technology based operation ensures qualitative compaction of concrete and a consistency in quality.
    • It’s very high level of concrete compacting with low noise.
    • Minimal costs when transporting the tilt up table.
    • Disadvantages:
    • Manpower is necessary and also needs knowledgeable people for handling.
    • The maintenance is difficult
    • The cost is high
    • It’s not movable, so we need to collect materials at a nearby table.

  • Memo 13 – How to Remind clients about variation approvals

    The Building industry in Australia is tough. The insolvency rate is over: 20%. Lies, non-paying etc. strikes, cost surges etc. is all de rigger. Builders are stressed. There’s no need to stress them out even more. Variation work is common the industry.

    Simply use the forms on our quote app – they are standard template fields which will save you a lotta headaches.

    If you need to remind clients about a variation:

    1. Ask nicely.
    2. Ask the proper way.

    DO NOT DO THIS:

    • “This is a variation for both of us”.
    • “Please approve the variation. So that we will proceed with the changes”.

    No: it is not a variation for both of you: the client will decide the variation. You shouldn’t tell him that. If you do, you will simply annoy the client.

    No: do not ever say: “please approve so that we will proceed”. This is akin to threatening the client, and holding up the job. Never, ever do this! It’s the worst way. You will annoy the client and he will walk – this has actually happened (yes there were other factors contributing) but it could be avoided.

    Never do this!
    Never do this either!

    WHAT SHOULD I DO?

    • We want our clients to voice objections. That’s right, we WANT to hear the objections. Everything we do should be clear, fair, transparent, and should have the consent of all parties. The communication should reflect that. So ask like this:

    These are all “no-orientated” questions. They are decided to illicit a “no” – to make it easy and welcoming for the client to object. Use the exact wording above.

    1. Do you have any objections to this proposed variation request?
    2. Do you object?
    3. Sounds like you have an issue with this request?

    Fixed Price Contracting

    • Some clients agree to our contract, knowing full well that we do not do fixed price contracting. If any client rejects variations because they want fixed price contracting – then please feel to contact me directly about this.

    Be Honest

    • If it takes 1 hour, then write down: 1 hour.
    • Do not write down 3 hours. If you get caught, then clients will loose trust in you, in our firm, and so will I. You will get a reputation as a liar, and that reputation is hard to shake.
  • BANKSII – ROOF STRUCTURE

    BANKSII – ROOF STRUCTURE

  • ATRIUM STAIRS

    ATRIUM STAIRS

  • PROPOSED WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT AT 29-33 HAWKER STREET.

    PROPOSED WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT AT 29-33 HAWKER STREET.