Site Visit 3 - Concrete Precast Panel Construction

Dandenong Road Carnegie, Melbourne.

Bracing/propping can be seen, which keeps the concrete pre-cast panels stable. It is interesting to note that full height bracing is only required for the exposed panels, the rest of the building is partially strengthened by bracing, but mainly supported by the first floor level.

Visible in this photo is a combination of timber and steel formwork supporting the dead and live loads, while the first floor concrete slab completes the drying process.

Timber and steel formwork is visible on the column; bracing has been provided in two directions and is at right angles. The formwork extends down to the bottom of the column; this is necessary because during the concrete pour pressure increases with depth, so this then helps to prevent deflection. Also visible are safety rails on the first floor level.

Shown here is bracing at 30-60° for the horizontal concrete pre-cast panels.

A Band beam can be seen in this photo, while the Bondek is exposed, forming the underside of the first floor concrete slab. Also visible are piles of formwork which have just been dismantled as the concrete setting process has past the critical stage, although bracing is still required for the columns and pre-cast panels to prevent collapse of the first floor level.

Tutorial 6 - Two Storey Office Block

Article 2 - Paperless Solution for Construction Sector

National Building News
April 2008 - Volume 8, No. 3, Pg 5.

As one of the largest commercial construction companies in Australia, Hansen Yuncken is playing a leading role in facing the challenges of climate change and global warming.
Hansen Yuncken has recently collaborated with Adelaide based software company Grazer; the aim was to provide a paperless method of supplying manuals and drawings to clients.

‘The Grazer system is a state-of-the-art software solution used for storing, accessing and updating manuals, by way of an easy-to-use graphical-based application’. This software enables operation and maintenance manuals for plumbing, fire, air-conditioning and electrical systems to be viewed on screen, with links to test reports, building and finishes schedules, technical descriptions and photos. It is a time saving process for all contractors involved, allowing immediate access and verification of all documents and information in the one location.

In this technologically advanced era, it is time-consuming, expensive and superfluous to print out thousands of documents; an electronic system is more efficient, and the Grazer is a good solution as it eliminates the need for hard-copies. For one of Hansen Yuncken’s major projects, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stage 2, over 18000 pages were saved from being printed, and for another as yet uncompleted job, an estimated 35000 pages are estimated to be saved by project completion. Also, harmful carbon emissions contributing to climate change will, in theory, be reduced through use of this system.

Thus far, there has been no reference made of the actual cost of the software program, and it is likely to be expensive and therefore not immediately available in the marketplace for all companies to purchase; however, it does demonstrate that the Australian construction industry is heading in a positive direction, towards a sustainable future.

Tutorial 5 - Endwall section for Concrete Construction

Article 1 - DataDot DNA - The 21st Century Solution to an Age Old Problem

Australian Building Regulation Bulletin
(ABRB)
Summer 2008, Pg. 19.

DataDotDNA is revolutionary technology which has been developed to combat a major problem in the building and construction industry - theft. It is an identification and tracking system, which claims to have brought the industry into the 21^st Century. DataDotDNA is available in two applications; DataDots which are for items like tools and equipment, and DataTraceDNA which can be used for bulk materials such as concrete.

DataDots are the size of a grain of sand; they are laser-etched with a unique identification code that could be something as simple as your diver’s license number, while DataTraceDots are ‘nanoparticle tracers that can be blended into the molecular structure of a product to identify and authenticate it’. Apparently, this particular technology can endure fire and is practically indestructible.

These products are reported to be simple to use, inexpensive and most importantly operate as deterrents to any opportunistic or professional thieves. Labels and warning signs are available with all DataDotDNA packs which are to be applied to all tools and materials for visible impact.

Statistics show that there is 75% less chance that thieves will strike at construction sites if they are aware equipment has been tagged. This was proven categorically in the car industry, which had an 80% reduction in theft of vehicles from ‘big’ brand car companies like BMW and Suburu; this data was recorded after DataDots were applied.

Thus far, the reaction to this new technology has been positive, the product will need to be tested thoroughly by tradesman, but it seems that for the moment it is the most practical method in ensuring security in the building and construction industry, consequently, preventing millions of dollars being lost every year.

DataDotDNA is endorsed and recommended by the Master Builders Association; meets industry needs, is a cost-effective solution that will greatly reduce the ever increasing theft rate.

Tutorial 4 - Concrete Construction Detail

Tutorial 3 - Endwall section