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Crews work to prepare the ground level of the new central structure for the concrete slab. |
A look into what will be Harry T. Wilks Theatre within the Armstrong Student Center |
Another overview of the construction site with the former Gaskill Hall in the background. |
Bolstered by an unseasonably warm and dry spring, construction on the Armstrong Student Center has overcome some unique challenges and remains on target to rise out of the ground this summer, according to Senior Project Manager John Seibert.
The benefits of a warmer winter were offset by frequent rains and drainage issues, but perhaps the most interesting challenge was working around and through the university's original steam plant, which was buried decades ago beneath the former Gaskill Hall parking lot. Pre-site testing revealed the lost structure, which included old foundations, basement walls and slabs, and even an old conveyor that used to transfer coal to the steam plant. To ensure they met the high standards set forth for the building's structural system, construction crews implemented a plan including 40-foot deep construction piers and heavily compressed backfill.
"It's almost like Rome in that we're building a building on top of another building," Seibert said. "I'm not sure that's been done before on Miami's campus. Fortunately we were prepared to respond to the design challenges with a plan that has worked out very well."
With the majority of the excavation and backfilling work nearly complete in the new construction area between Gaskill and Rowan Halls, attention is turning toward pouring the first-floor concrete slabs. When that is in place, Seibert said that the action will really begin.
"Once the first floor is poured, the scaffolding will go up and the subsequent floor levels and walls will really start to fly up out of the ground," he said. "We hope to be pouring the second floor as early as June. The other benefit of having the slab on grade in place is that it opens up a lot more space to work in. The work force will almost double at that point, and the activity will really pick up."
Renovation work is also moving at a brisk pace within the former Gaskill and Rowan Halls, where reinforcement measures are bringing the buildings up to code and electrical conduit is being run. Other infrastructure and piping is being pre-fabricated off-site, based on advanced 3-D building models that allow the architects and planners to troubleshoot potential challenges and ensure that no space goes to waste.
In addition to the work conducted within the main construction site, the summer months will see extensive work on the north and east sides of Gaskill, where the building's loading dock will be dug and where key infrastructure elements, including upgraded electric, water, and sewer will be brought into the building.
The initial phase of the Armstrong Student Center project is set to officially open its doors in January 2014.