Precast Solutions - Winter 2009 - (Page 10) By J.T. Long Preinsulated precast concrete paves the way for a dramatic finish. large panels,” explains Dr. Mark Weedy, superintendent of EastlandFairfield Career and Technical Schools. “Plus, the extreme Ohio temperatures made the panel and joint structures appealing because they could expand and contract without cracking like brick and mortar construction.” The 28,900-square-foot freestanding building includes 95 precast concrete wall panels ranging from 10-by-20-foot rectangles to massive 10-by-30-foot panels. Each panel includes 2 inches of rigid insulation sandwiched between 4-inch interior precast panels and 3-inch exterior precast panels. The design company, TRIAD Architects Ltd. of Columbus, Ohio, worked closely with the precast manufacturer, High Concrete Group, to balance the practical limitations of price, shipping size and load-bearing ability. “The sweet spot ended up being at the maximum size that would still fit on a standard tractor trailer,” says Steve Smith, TRIAD Architects project manager. The result is an insulated wall that doubles as the structural exterior wall for the steel roof joists, eliminating the need for a steel perimeter frame. Because no vertical columns held the building together, temporary shoring supported the walls until the roof could be tied into place. “It was a matter of careful sequencing,” recalls Peter Macrae, TRIAD Architects president. One of the biggest challenges was a pair of curved 10- by-12-foot keystone slabs above the glass doors that had to be dropped into place by a crane and welded. “It had to fit precisely, because it was In the race to finish the Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical School Auto Academy before the school year started, innovative precast concrete panels smoothed the way. By building the 9-inch-thick, preinsulated, high-performance panels off site complete with finished surfaces inside and out, the suburban Groveport, Ohio, school district kept construction inconveniences to a minimum while maximizing visual interest. Outside, a pair of checkerboard flags and a winner’s circle embossed into the concrete entryway patio brought a NASCAR feel at a fraction of the price of custom brickwork. Inside, the 28foot-high shell made room for 24 vehicle lift bays, two full-size paint booths, classroom and laboratory space complete with laser technology and computer diagnostics. Laying the groundwork The road to completion started as a team effort to fine-tune the plans. After one false start, a winning design incorporated ideas suggested at community meetings along with input from students. Administrators toured other precast concrete projects and saw the functional benefits. “The sheer size of the building required 10 Precast Solutions | Winter 2009 www.precastsolutions.org http://www.precastsolutions.org
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