The main shaking table platter arrived at SoFSI today. This forms the single largest delivery, maxing out our 30t gantry crane’s capacity. This will be stored within the facility prior to installation by Servotest in the summer.
Author: patrick.tully
Hydraulic Power Unit Delivery
A further milestone in the construction of SoFSI was achieved today when the hydraulic power unit was delivered to site. This is the workhorse that will enable the world class shaking tables and actuators carry out tests within the laboratory, providing 2000l/minute of hydraulic oil at 280bar.
Crane installed
Today the 30t gantry crane was commissioned. This will enable both the filling and emptying of the test pit, and the lifting of test items off the two shaking tables within SoFSI. In addition to this further milestones were achieved this week with the switching on of the high-voltage electricity supply to the laboratory, the laying of the resin floor finish within the test hall and the commencement of the slab within the service yard.
Site progress update – building shell watertight
Prior to the Christmas break the SoFSI building envelope was completed and the building was watertight. With scaffolding both inside and outside the building it was a great chance to appreciate the full scale of the facility by being able to climb above the height of the 30t gantry crane – a view which will not be available once the facility is open. Now the building shell is complete we are looking forward to the final fit out followed by the installation of the hydaulic equipment – the pit in the centre of the above photograph is to receive our 50t capacity, 6m x 4m biaxial shaking table.
Site progress update
Much progress on the construction of SoFSI has been made in the last month following a sustained period of good weather. The steel frame for both the test hall and the accommodation block are now complete and the main contractor, Andrew Scott Ltd, are now preparing for the final interior concrete pours to form the remaining floor slab in both parts of the building.
With the roof near completion on the accommodation block it provided a great viewpoint to see the scale of both the soil pit and the pit for the large shaking table.
Following completion of the floor slabs the next steps are to install the gantry crane, complete the roof of the test hall and start the blockwork walls to the test hall. If all goes to programme the building should be water tight before the end of the year.
Steel erection commences
Following completion of the strong floor and reaction mass (in excess of 2000tonnes of steel and concrete), the main contractors have commenced the erection of the steel frame for the building. This phase is expected to take approximately 3 weeks and following this construction of the building envelope will commence. The scale of the building is now apparent, with the ridgeline being approximately 13m above the finish floor level giving an 8m clearance for the gantry crane inside the building.
Site progress – Reaction mass nears completion
Works on site to construct SoFSI are continuing at pace and we are pleased to be able to share some images provided by our main contractor Andrew Scott Ltd immediately prior to the final concrete pour for the reaction mass. The final concrete pour represents a major milestone for the project meaning that approximately 2,000t of steel and concrete will have been laid to form the 4m deep soil pit and foundations for the two shaking tables. Works to construct the above ground elements of the building which will house the equipment can soon begin.
UKCRIC Webinar
On Tuesday 23 June we hosted the first UKCRIC Webinar to promote the national UKCRIC programme and also the two UKCRIC projects at the University of Bristol – SoFSI and the Bristol Infrastructure Collaboratory. We were pleased to welcome William Powrie, the UKCRIC Convenor, to set out the basis of UKCRIC and the exciting opportunities it presents for being at the vanguard of national infrastructure research. Over 50 people took part in the live webinar and a recording of the event is available here.
SoFSI Site Visit
Following the commencement of construction of SoFSI in late February 2020, the first on site visit was organised on Monday 22 June. Estates Team Manager Luke Everett, Prof. Tasos Sextos, Head of Earthquake and Geotechnical Engineering Research Group (Lead User) and UKCRIC/Bristol Research Manager Patrick Tully safely visited to review recent developments. The main contractor, Andrew Scott Ltd, have adopted safe systems of working to enable construction to continue during the recent period and good progress has been made on construction of the soil pit and reaction mass for the two shaking tables with over two thirds of the concrete pour completed.
We are looking forward to the completion of the reaction mass and main foundations for the building in August – a big milestone for the project. The project is on track for opening in spring 2021.
