The Week of April 30, 2018–The Foundation Steel For Section Four is Joined; Floors Three Through Five

The week began

On   —————, 2017, the first of many double node spline beams was set in the northwest corner of the pit. If all goes well, this will be the week that the final double node spline beam will be lowered onto the two base isolators in the southeast corner of the pit. The pit in section four is now rapidly filling with steal.  Once the remaining spline beams are set and once the corrugated decking is scattered over the beams, the columns in the northeast section will be set.

A Juxtaposition

In Black and White

For the visionary, referencing the past augments the present while dreaming of the future.

~Dennis E. Park

THE PAST (circa 1967-68): The original “Towers,” nearing completion.

THE PRESENT (05.03.18): The original “Towers” (center), the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital (left), and the steel columns for the new Children’s and Adult Hospital in the foreground.

THE FUTURE (circa 2020): A mockup of the old (left to left center) an the new (left center to right). This scale model is stationed in the General Contractor’s  (McCarthy Construction) 0n-site office suite of trailers.

Plans, plans, and more plans held in hangers. Some plans below are rolled, stacked, and shelved.

The plans room with larger sized plans rolled and stacked.

An end of one of the last behemoth double node spline beams that was delivered on the low bed on which it rests in the south yard. This beam, weighing close to 90,000-pounds is scheduled to be lowered on to two (2) base isolator in section four (the southeast section of the pit, providing there is no rain, on Tuesday morning May 1, 2018.

Looking down into section four from grade, one can see that there is one row of base isolators (running north to south) that will receive double node spline beams. The steel running east to west from the nodes are the steel splices that complete a quadrant within the section. From this angle, it appears that four quadrants are left to complete section four.

Looking west towards the existing Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Medical Center: Two cranes tower above the steel skeleton as Gary (left) JTEC Healthcare Construction Management and Jack (right) assistant construction superintendent for McCarthy, stand on the drive above the “Bone Yard” to view the project and discuss plans for the upcoming week.

A view of the east side steel skeleton as photographed from the center of the “Bone Yard.” Currently, the man lift goes to the third floor. As the building steel increases in height, the center tower tie-in-system is raised.

Of Cranes and Men:

Lessons From the Bone Yard

Andrew, an ironworker/welders, demonstrates how not to hoist a heavy piece of Iron. A grin, strong biceps, and the proper stance just won’t do it: Thank You Very Much!!!!! On the other hand ………………..

…………….. a handler, a spotter, and a crane’s large block and tackle does the the trick. No fuss, No Mess!!!

The view from the third floor decking. Why sit on a girder when you can stand and get a better view?

The steel crosses of healing rise in the shadow of the towers of healing.