Academies are challenging construction projects with high levels of mechanical services, high quality finishes and unusual design. This requires an extended fit-out phase that compresses the time available for the basic structure build. This time slot is often further eroded by winter weather causing delays.
To overcome these constraints, Wates Construction decided to adopt the Bamtec system for concrete floor reinforcement. Using pre-fabricated ‘carpets’ of roll-out steel reinforcement, rather than manually placed re-bar, saves substantially the time required for steel fixing and enables each floor to be set-up for concrete pouring.
Speaking for Wates, Phil Whitby, construction manager for both academies explained, “Using conventional methods each floor may take two weeks or more for steel placement before the pour. Bad weather adds to this greatly. Bamtec enabled us to reduce this to typically four days between each pour, taking maximum advantage of the available good weather windows. On one occasion we even completed a pour to pour cycle in less than two days.”
There are more advantages than just the speed and productivity of the Bamtec system. Hy-Ten provides substantial technical support that includes, where required, a service to apply finite element analysis to the structural engineering specification. By close curtailment of the stress zones around columns it is often possible to reduce the diameter, length or density of re-bar needed and achieve significant steel savings. Hy-Ten also offer a greater range of intermediate bar diameters so that the structural requirements can be met more precisely.
The Bamtec system eliminates the need for large teams of experienced reinforcement steel fixers. There are health and safety advantages too, as the roll-out carpets can be positioned with less back-breaking effort than with individually placed and tied re-bars. Bamtec fitters also report less back strain and injury.
“Completion of the structural frame and achieving a weather tight building enabled us to get on with the crucial fit-out phase just as the worst of the winter weather broke. The campus was complete and handed over on time, safeguarding and enhancing our reputation with the local authority,” concluded Phil Whitby.
The new Barnfield Academy buildings provide students and the community with a first rate environment and new learning opportunities. The academies have gone from strength to strength since being taken over by the Barnfield Federation in 2007.
In addition to moving into the vibrant new buildings, GCSE results on both sites have more than tripled and they are now judged ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ by Ofsted. The Barnfield Federation is led by Barnfield College; an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ further education college that also has Beacon status.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
