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Phase I Description:
Detailing started on the 8,700 ton Phoenix Convention Center Phase 1 for Havens Steel Company back in August 2004. The Roof on this project consisted of 4 Main Tapered Roof Trusses 20’-0 deep x 210’-0 long, with Cross Trusses spanning between. Also at each end of the main Roof Trusses attached to the Columns were the cantilevered Trusses. The Atrium attaching to the South face of the Main Building had a unique shape. All of its columns sloped and skewed at the same time, combined with the sloping Roof, which made for some steep and eccentric connections.
This project was supposed to have a 36 week detailing schedule. Unfortunately things got off on the wrong foot. Working with Engineering Drawings only 50% complete made it very difficult to create an accurate model good enough for advancing material. As with most projects today, the Engineering drawings are a lot more advanced than the Architectural drawings. This really poses a big problem when trying to arrive at accurate locating information to complete the model. It took almost until Christmas for enough of our RFIs to be answered so that we could proceed. The over 550 RFIs on this project with at least a couple of questions asked per RFI, created a 4 month delay to our delivery schedule. Once this was finally accomplished, however, things started to come together.
Woytek Jablkowski headed the detailing and most of the day-to-day ongoings by making sure that Havens Steel and National Riggers (Erectors) were kept apprised of all the problems associated with the design Engineers and Architects. We also created 2 separate teams responsible for different areas of the project. The Floor steel and columns were headed by Nick Rakic. His proactive approach became the Architect’s biggest nightmare by continually calling them up 4 or 5 times daily to grind out information. He also directed their efforts to get us the correct info to complete the areas to suit the erection sequences.
Steven Chang’s crew looked after the Trusses and Brace frames. The Trusses and Brace frames connections, which consisted of 40% of the project, were prepared by Thornton Tomasseti. Steven worked very closely with the erector and engineer addressing problem areas where erectability was a concern. Sending 3-D images from our model made difficult connection joints clearer to explain and understand, when accompanied by an RFI. This was extremely helpful in expediting the Trusses.
As parts of the model with connections were finalized and completed, then our detailing team took over. Still faced with an unforgiving drop-dead date, our team really stepped up. Everyone put in extra effort by working longer days and weekends to make sure this project did meet its deadline and commitments. The extra effort by all our staff working on this project is greatly appreciated.
We would also like to thank Bruce Wall and Mike Porter from National Riggers for their tireless work helping to expedite all the RFIs. Thanks also to Dennis Randell and Darryl Anderson from Havens Steel for their understanding in working around and through all the Held Areas to keep the project running as smoothly as possible.
As frustrating as this project was, the total team effort from all parties involved helped bring this to a successful conclusion. |
