Post on 10-Mar-2018
transcript
COMPLEX TRENCH
EXCAVATION
GPS machine control helps contractor succeed with
challenging Steam Tunnel Relocation project
Author: Jack Lucic
May 2013
www.machineguidance.com.au
Think of Russian nesting dolls and you’ll have an idea of the
construction challenge that faced Schneider Excavating, Inc.,
Lannon, Wis., when they worked on a steam tunnel relocation
project on the Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center grounds in
Milwaukee, Wis. Unlike shelf-size Russian matryoshka dolls, the
proportions were massive on this project. The steam system is
within a concrete tunnel, which was within a temporary trench-
shield box, which is all located underground.
A steam power plant on the grounds provides heat and hot water to the various
buildings on the 125-acre CZVA Medical Center campus. C3T Construction
Company, Milwaukee, Wis., the general contractor on the steam tunnel project,
completed the project within three months.
“We were working in a tight space — a 50-foot (15.2m) corridor — next to the
construction of a new spinal cord injury treatment facility,” states Ron “Slim”
Lange, project manager with Schneider Excavating. “Our task was to install a 600-
foot (183m) section of new steam tunnel within a relatively tight schedule.”
The 2.4 metre, 23,000 pound, steam-tunnel sections were placed on grade in a 8
metre deep trench. The bottom required precise grading before 150mm of #1
clear ¾-inch chip limestone (dolomite) rock was added. The excavation and
achieving grade was a challenge.
Schneider Excavating partnered with D. F. Tomasini Contractors, Sussex, Wis. to
help with the excavating, D. F. Tomasini is a large water and sewer main
contractor. “Because we were operating in tight confines, we weren’t able to dig
with the excavator facing forward,” Lange says.” We had to dig reaching over to
the side.”
Schneider Excavating used two large machines—a Cat 385C L and a Volvo
EC460B—both crawler hydraulic excavators equipped with Topcon GPS 3Dxi
systems supported by a Topcon HiPer Lite base station.
“The Topcon systems allowed us to excavate precisely to the plan and ensured
that we used the correct amount of the expensive rock,” Lange says. “The GPS
systems on the excavators saved us at least 25 percent of the production time
while allowing us to be in control at all times.” Interestingly, the D. F. Tomasini
excavator operator had his first experience working with the Topcon system on
this job. According to Lange, the operator couldn’t believe how accurately he was
able to dig.
www.machineguidance.com.au
“The GPS systems on the
excavators saved us at
least 25 percent of the
production time while
allowing us to be in
control at all times.”
A triple-stack system of huge trench shields was
positioned in the excavated trench before the
precast concrete steam tunnels were placed. The
trench shields measure 7.3m long and have a
200mm baffled thickness. The triple stack included
two 2.4m tall sections topped with a 1.2m tall
panel. The bell-and-spigot joints on the panels were
coated with rubberized mastic waterproofing.
There were roughly 70 sections that had to be
installed and 70 joints that had to be sealed. In
addition to a coating of waterproofing which was
applied before the shields were delivered to the site, 9.5mm protection board
was installed inside the shield to protect the waterproofing surface. One foot
over the top of the tunnel was filled with #1 stone, ¾-inch chips.
When the trench shields were in position, the Cat excavator lowered each of the
2.4m, 23,000 pounds sections of steam tunnel in place. The rectangular-shaped
precast concrete sections measured approximately 2.1 by 2.6 metres.
“One of our biggest challenges was bringing in the steam tunnel sections onto
the site precisely when we needed them,” says Lange. “The sheer logistics of
receiving shipments and maneuvering each of them into place required planning
and tight execution.”
With all projects, there are surprises.
“One particular challenge we faced was a
steam-tunnel section that needed to run
under an existing Milwaukee
Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)
service line,” states Lange. “The MMSD
couldn’t tolerate more than a quarter-
inch (6.35mm) of movement of the line
when working near it.”
Schneider needed to install two 15m
sections of steel H-beams to support the
MMSD line before carefully maneuvering
a section of the steam tunnel underneath
it. The process took four days to
complete.
“
nightmare without the
The steam tunnel was built with two low
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
pitch was one
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
was expecting.
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
was able to keep the
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators
In the end, all the pieces of this giant
as designed.
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
M
relevant and un
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
“This complex project
would have been a
nightmare without the
machine guidance
technology
The steam tunnel was built with two low
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
pitch was one
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
was expecting.
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
was able to keep the
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators
In the end, all the pieces of this giant
as designed.
Based in Chicago,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
MachineGuidance.com.au
relevant and un
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
and productivit
www
www.machineguidance.com.au
This complex project
would have been a
nightmare without the
machine guidance
technology.”
The steam tunnel was built with two low
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
pitch was one-half percent. The new sections were s
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
was expecting.
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
was able to keep the project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators
In the end, all the pieces of this giant
Based in Chicago, Jack Lucic
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
achineGuidance.com.au
relevant and un-biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
and productivity, please visit our website
ww.machin
www.machineguidance.com.au
This complex project
would have been a
nightmare without the
machine guidance
The steam tunnel was built with two low
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
half percent. The new sections were s
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
without the
Additionally, with the technology we never
needed workers in any unprotected
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
job, and no one did.”
In the end, all the pieces of this giant
Jack Lucic is a freelance writer covering construction,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
achineGuidance.com.au is an online portal committed to providing up
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
y, please visit our website
chineguidan
www.machineguidance.com.au
The steam tunnel was built with two low-points to facilitate flow and to provide
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
half percent. The new sections were s
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
without the
Additionally, with the technology we never
needed workers in any unprotected
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
job, and no one did.”
In the end, all the pieces of this giant-size matryoshka doll project came
is a freelance writer covering construction,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
is an online portal committed to providing up
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
y, please visit our website www.machineguidance.com.au
dance.com.a
www.machineguidance.com.au
points to facilitate flow and to provide
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
half percent. The new sections were successfully connected to the
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
sealants were applied at proper temperatures.
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that
management, me, and my machine operators was invaluable in terms of
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
machine guidance technology.
Additionally, with the technology we never
needed workers in any unprotected
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
job, and no one did.”
size matryoshka doll project came
is a freelance writer covering construction,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
is an online portal committed to providing up
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
www.machineguidance.com.au
m.au
www.machineguidance.com.au
points to facilitate flow and to provide
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
uccessfully connected to the
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
“Being able to work from a digital 3D model that was available to my
was invaluable in terms of
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
machine guidance technology.
Additionally, with the technology we never
needed workers in any unprotected
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
size matryoshka doll project came
is a freelance writer covering construction,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
is an online portal committed to providing up
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
www.machineguidance.com.au
points to facilitate flow and to provide
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
uccessfully connected to the
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
was available to my
was invaluable in terms of
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
machine guidance technology.
Additionally, with the technology we never
needed workers in any unprotected job site
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
size matryoshka doll project came together
is a freelance writer covering construction,
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
is an online portal committed to providing up-to-date,
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency
www.machineguidance.com.au
points to facilitate flow and to provide
access points to the 1.8m wide by 2.1m high tunnel interior. The steam tunnel
uccessfully connected to the
existing steam tunnel sections to provide the seamless fit that C3T Construction
Even during the typical cold, occasionally snowy, Wisconsin winter, Schneider
project on schedule and ensure that joint mastic and tunnel
was available to my
was invaluable in terms of
productivity, communication, precision, and
eliminating rework,” Lange concludes. “This
complex project would have been a nightmare
machine guidance technology.
Additionally, with the technology we never
job site
areas, which is consistent with our corporate
priority on safety. Schneider Excavating’s owner
was adamant that no one would get hurt on this
together
management, and insurance topics. He can be reached at jacklucic@yahoo.com.
date,
biased information on machine control products and processes. For
more information on how to utilise machine guided technologies to gain efficiency