Elements of the Foundation: The Rebar *Completed*
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave . . . .” (Walter Scott).
(1) A heavy load of rebar is being lowered to the rat slab below.
(2) The construction pit, as seen from the Hospital Camera number 1. Three-quarters of the rat slab have been poured, which allows the
“Rodbusters” (rebar workers) to begin laying rebar, which when completed will reinforce the four-foot concrete foundation.
(3) As seen from the southwest shoring wall, the first layers of rebar are being laid out on the first foundation section. The four-foot thick reinforced
concrete foundation will be built and poured in three sections. The four elevator pits will be poured in three sections. The fourth (southeast)
elevator pit will be constructed after the dirt ramp is removed and the final section of the rat slab is poured.
(4) As seen from the rat slab, the east-west rebar line (first strand) is laid out on block spacers called Dobie’s. The purpose of the Dobie’s is to
hold the rebar above the rat slab and in position as the concrete is poured and hardens. As seen in this photograph, the second strand of rebar
is being positioned in another direction creating a hash mark effect. Once in place, the rodbusters tie the rebar together with
annealed steel wire.
(5) The rodbusters begin to layout the center elevator pit.
(6) Bundled rebar elements.
(7) Various shapes, sizes, and lengths of rebar.
(8) With plans in hand, a rodbuster walks between the bundled rebar, which had just been lowered onto the rat slab.
(9) A rodbuster ties two rebar elements together to make a rebar stirrup, which will be used to reinforce the bottom of a corner embed, which
will support one of the four corners of the isolator base.
~TYING THE RODS TOGETHER~
The Art of tying rebar together takes skill, patience, speed, and much practice.
The rodbuster, often in an elevated position, must balance on the rebar while quickly wrapping
the wire around the rebar joint then briskly bend, pull, twist, and cut the wire leaving the tie tight and secure.
(10) After aligning the horizontal rebar, the rodbuster makes a one and a half loop around
the rebar and pulls the wire tight.
(11) Photo Left: With pliers, the rodbuster twists the wire securely.
(12) Photo Above Right: Once secure, the wire is snipped and bent over.
A rodbuster surefootedly walks the rebar as he carries a z-bar.
A lattice of rebar steel approaches the end of the first of three sections. After a few yards of the first layer are laid, a few rodbusters will lag behind and begin the next layer, which will be elevated above the first.
The rodbusters begin work on the second elevated tier.
An example of a yet to be completed multi-tiered rebar section, which rises above the rat slab.
A study in a geometric design around the center elevator pit.
The second tier of rebar is seen at the left. The first tier just above the rat slab is in the center and the western edge of the center elevator pit is to the right.
A closer look at the northwest section of the pit, which allows the viewer to see more of the elements that go into the making of a foundation. Near the corner in the distance, two rodbusters carry a 36-foot length of rebar for placement on the second tier.
o3.09.17 – X Video
A view of the construction pit as seen from the west. At the lower right corner is the southwest elevator pit. The rodbusters are hard at work completing the rebar installation for the first section foundation pour. In the northeast corner (center left) excavation of the last ramp is nearing completion. Notice in the center of the video as four rodbusters, in lock step, traverse the rebar mat with a seventy-five-foot length of rebar on their shoulders.
Three rodbusters–Nik Wallenda-like– carefully walk a lengthy section of rebar into place.
A GoPro (Hero4 Black) view of the pit as viewed from the northeast section of the shoring wall. The carpenters are beginning to construct the north-south buttress, which will terminate the first of the three sections that make up the foundation. The first foundation section to be poured begins at the west shoring wall and terminates at the north-south buttress.
Building the foundation rebar structure for the second section continues four days following the Saturday night concrete pour in section 1.
Note the two rodbusters who are walking the top tier of rebar carrying a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood.
A cross section of the rebar system for the foundation. Number 1 is the four isolator pin sleeves. Number 2 is the bulkhead which separates
section 1 from section 2. Number 3 is the bottom layer of rebar, which sits closest to the rat slab. Number 4 is the isolator frame, which
elevates the four pin sleeves. Number 5 (above number 2) is the top level of rebar. Section 2 is in the beginning stages of rebar
installation. When all the rebar is in, it will be very difficult if not impossible to see the bulkhead (concrete) from this angle.
04.04.17 – X
Chuck, a rodbuster, steadies a load of Richmond Anchor bars as the crane operator maneuvers the bundle to the pit below.
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