Exceeding Expectations

It was crucial that the concrete work remain on schedule, as the drywall and othersubcontractors were following closely behind the Wayne Brothers crews, trying to maintaintheir own schedules. WBI used a RCS Self-Climbing System to supplement the busy towercrane on site, as well as a central concrete pump, two Putzmeister booms and three towers. Inorder to use the tower crane more efficiently, the Wayne Brothers crews were divided, allowingthe “vertical crew” to begin work at 4 a.m., and the other crew to hold a safety briefing, thenbegin using the crane at 8 a.m.In addition to placing 460,000 square feet of slab formwork on the Ashton site, WayneBrothers was responsible for placing 1,500 tons of reinforcing steel and 500,000 pounds ofpost-tension cables. Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC) was used on the project to providemore durable, curl-resistant and stronger floors.Even before work on Ashton Southend concluded in September 2008, Wayne Brothersgrading crews were preparing the Charlotte site on which the Premier Medical Office Buildingwas to be erected. General Contractor Bovis Lend Lease awarded contracts to WBI for boththe site work and concrete operations on the office building. The ability of Wayne Brothersto coordinate the civil, infrastructure and concrete divisions resulted in substantial timesavings. The Civil and Infrastructure division began work in June 2008 on the site, clearingand grubbing 12 acres, performing the site cut and fill, blasting rock, and exporting unsuitablematerials and importing suitable fill. They also made a 36” bore under an existing road thatremained in operation, installed a RCP storm drain, relocated utilities, created three turnlanes and a median relocation, and made the necessary signaling changes arising from theintersection changes. Because WBI was able to sequence its activities to allow footings tobegin more quickly, the concrete group began its work six weeks ahead of schedule, reducingthe company’s time on the site and allowing other sub-contractors to begin work on theirphases earlier than scheduled, supporting the overall project schedule.Because WBI was contracted for all the exterior concrete, including curb and gutter andconcrete paving, the risks that concrete contracts would overlap or that some item wouldnot be covered at all, were minimized. WBI surveyors worked closely with the site engineer topredict, avoid, and lessen any potential drainage issues.In August 2009, Wayne Brothers planners were gratified when they were enabled tocomplete the company’s portion of the Premier Medical Office Building located in Charlotteahead of schedule, while maintaining the highest quality and exceeding contract specifications.A New55