The precast concrete cores and lift shafts have been fully completed with the top sections visible from Winwick Quay, Golden Square shopping centre and further afield. Continue Reading
The first of the two precast concrete stair and lift cores have now been completed and work is well under way on the second of the precast cast stair cores which will form the main stairway to the upper floors of the UTC building.
A large 200 Ton crane has been set up on site to lift the larger sections that form the second stair core. The next stage will see structural steel plates being welded to the pre-fitted components within the concrete sections, which create the final connection points for the eagerly awaited steel frame. This phase of work will be completed by the middle of next week enabling the structural steel frame to then be erected.
The erection of the stair and lift cores and the installation of the connecting precast concrete stairway has continued this week. The first of the two stair cores and lift shafts are up to the fifth floor and the capping slabs which will complete this section of work are on site and ready to be lifted into position on Monday following the delivery and set up of a larger crane 200Ton.
The 150 tonne crane and the first of the precast concrete stair cores, stairs and lift shaft sections arrived on site early Monday morning as expected. However, the first of this seasons storms named ‘Abigail’ has delayed some of the lifts due to the wind speeds.
Wednesday and Thursday’s improved weather conditions allowed our lifting operations to commence and by Thursday afternoon 3 stair core sections, 2 shaft lift sections and 2 flights of concrete stairs had been erected.
The favourable weather conditions during week 10 have enabled the project to progress significantly. The shuttering to one of the main foundations which was poured last week has now been removed and a further 6 foundations with adjoining ground beams have been excavated, shuttered and reinforced with steel bar. This has meant that over 180 m3 of concrete have been poured over the last 5 days.
The retaining wall along Dallam Lane has also received waterproofing treatment and a worker’s site access tunnel has been erected in order to separate pedestrians and vehicles on site.
Construction of the sub-structure for the steel framed building is now well underway. Over 100 CFA piles have been bored and 12 pile caps are ready for the delivery and erection of the steel.
During week 9 the shuttering to the fairface concrete retaining wall along the east elevation has been struck and hardcore has been laid along the wall to create a lay by area for the articulated lorries. However, this week we have concentrated on the foundation reinforcement, placing of the formwork for the future prefabricated stair and lift core.
