Physical model of structural panels with UB rafters

Above are my autocad drawings, for the design development of the warehouse and office complex. Also included is the 1m x 1m detail that i focused on for my assignment.

Photograph of my model being taped up, ready to be painted.


White sealant has been used to try give the desired weilding effect between steel members.

Coen Pre Cast Factory site Visit

A visit (29/5/08) to the Coen Pre Cast fabrication factory in Moolap was organised through Andreas, the site manager. He took us on a guided tour of the factory, showing us all the stages and equipment for the panel completion.

Each panel has its own individual shop drawing, showing all the dimensions, cast in elements and other details required. It also specifies the panel weight, strength and reinforcement requirements. These drawings are used for the precise construction of the panels in the factory.

The workers must viabrate the concrete as it is poured using a 'wand'.

A ready mix truck will pour into the panel bed, covering the formwork, reinforced mesh and any additional inserts the cement. (Above)

Once the panel have been poured they are left in their panel beds over night, the next day they are moved to the storage racks in the warehouse. (Below)

Lifting inserts are casted into the panel and can be tied to the reinforced mesh. They allow for easy access to lift the panel safely.

Panels are lifted from their casting beds the day after they are poured. By this time they have reached a lifting strength on 25mpa and are then left placed in the rack for a minimum of 7 days to allow them to cure enough to take transport and erection stresses

Convenant College Gym Site Visit

We organised through Coen Pre Cast a site visit to Convenant College in Bell Post on the 28/5/08. Here they were erecting non structural pre cast panels and bolting them to the steel coloumns. The dano panel on the lean over trailer is being connected via the lifting inserts using 5-6 tonne olivetti clutches. This 25 tonne Franna crane can only be used for these types of panels, as other panels need to be rotated.

The Franna crane slowly lowers the panel into position while the two ground workers guide it using a burke (large crowbar).

Prior to any panels being lifted on site all the panel locations are marked out on the strip footings, and location pins are drilled in.

Once the structural panels are inplace, they need to be braced and propped using cast-in inserts to the panel and a deadman cast in-ground concrete anchoring brace (nominated on shop drawings).
This is a compliance/delivery document that is unique to each panel, it must have the panel id no., the date poured, the weight and strength of the panel. The crane driver can not lift a panel without this 'birth certificate'.