I'm also glad to see them back working. I'm really hooked on watching their progress. I can't wait for the building to start rising! How many more weeks before we will see that?

I'm also glad to see them back working. I'm really hooked on watching their progress. I can't wait for the building to start rising! How many more weeks before we will see that?

I'm hoping for April 1st.

Sunshine!

Dang you FOG!!!!!! I know that even though the fog is only obstructing minimal views of the progress being made on the piers, it is the sheer fact that I can't see that drives me crazy!!! Yeah... I am pretty much a Devon Tower construction junky...I guess this forum serves as my support group! It is after all a good habit and one which I am hopeful will be repeated many more times in the years forthcoming!

I too am a Devon cam junkie. Can you imagine being able to have watched the older downtown blgs. being built on cam?

they started to build the new west garage.. Didn't know if you guys new that or not

Thanks for the update!

Dear lord! Its THAT foggy out? wow..

I am new to this site but I have a birds eye view of the construction. I am locate on the 8th floor on the west side of the site. Some of the people in construction may reconise my address at 420 W. Main 8th floor. This is the Developement Center for the City of OKC. I also happend to have reviewed the plans for the garage expansion. I meant to bring a data cable so I could post some pics from my view. I will try and remember this next post. I saw a post about retail in the garage, there is none. The fitness center will be located on the west side on the 3rd floor. When I reviewed the plans this area was shown as shell, so I dont have any specifics on fitness center yet other than it will be around 4000 sq. ft..

Welcome Planman! We are glad to have you here. It will be nice to get some incite from one who has the access to the plans. I do not and am viewing remotely from Houston. Oklahoma is always my home though and am a "rabid" supporter of its growth and development and would love to end up back in OKC at some point.

So no retail on the street facing side at ground level? That is dissappointing but consistent with the renderings that have been released. I just would have hoped that with it having such a long footprint the planners would have been more concientious in expressing the desire to do what is necessary to reinforce a vibrant street at rather than the such a long expanse of wall that is dead.

It will be great to see some shots from your vantage point as I know that the expansion is taking place and we get limited views of its progress now that it is obsured by the rest of the building. Thanks in advance!

Looking forward to that angle of view. Thanks!

Hi Anonymous! Just wondering if you know how close they are to finishing the piers for the tower structure and when we might expect the matt foundation to be tied? I understand if there is a reason that you can't provide the info, but it would be cool to know a rough timeline. Thanks in advance if you know.

Here is on pic of west side of garage. I will post more later my work computer is giving me problems so I will do it from home this evening.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4330538376_a7835ae690.jpg

Great Pic! Thanks for that!

I noticed also that the job site trailers have temporary power running to them. Another sign we are approaching the structure emerging? I think so!

Here are more pics. We saw them set a cage of re-bar that was 100 ft. long in a pier hole yesterday. I think this may be the first of the piers for the actual tower. I will try to get a pic of them setting one.http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardsranch/

I guess the URL did not post last message.http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardsranch/

Here are more pics. We saw them set a cage of re-bar that was 100 ft. long in a pier hole yesterday. I think this may be the first of the piers for the actual tower. I will try to get a pic of them setting one.http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardsranch/

They have been placing these rebar cages for weeks. They have probably installed close to 30 of them by now. They install them, cement (or concrete) them in, let it dry, then cover it up with dirt so they can drive on it. They will dig the top of them out when they are ready to pour the foundation.

Hi Planman, The pics are not viewable for some reason. The first one that you posted shows fine just the other ones since have not. Thanks for your efforts.

I have noticed that this morning where as normally we have had two and even three drilling rigs running in the area of the actual tower for weeks now, that this morning for the first time we only have the large blue one and there is only one remaining. So I am hopeful that we are almost there as far as the piers are concerned for the tower. Could be wishful thinking on my part though.

That was the largest seeen by us yet. Are you on site? The photos are on this site in my albums.

Thanks for the info on the location of the album, great pictures by the way! I am not on the site so rely on the construction cam to get my views, however I am somewhat of a design, development and construction junkie and so monitor the web cam way more than I should. multilple times an hour...yeah.

As far as the larger steel reinforcing that is being set as of late, I think the many ones that we have been seeing are for the internal columns and that the larger much deeper ones are the ones that are running around the perimeter of the tower. The larger ones I noticed are always on the outside of what I assume is the perimeter columns as indicated on the floor plans that have been posted in the other construction thread. I just captured one going in this morning at 8:45 AM. It makes sense from a structural standpoint that the ones on the exterior stand to have to resist the greatest loads laterally as well as vertically. So it stands to reason that they would require a greater enbedment length in the bedrock than the ones that are required to carry more of the dead loads and are more column codependant.

Hi Planman, The pics are not viewable for some reason. The first one that you posted shows fine just the other ones since have not. Thanks for your efforts.

I have noticed that this morning where as normally we have had two and even three drilling rigs running in the area of the actual tower for weeks now, that this morning for the first time we only have the large blue one and there is only one remaining. So I am hopeful that we are almost there as far as the piers are concerned for the tower. Could be wishful thinking on my part though.

I think they are done drilling for the piers. Site is clear and blue driller is off to the side.

I would love it if they were but suspect thery are just excavating the rest of the site

I think they are done drilling for the piers. Site is clear and blue driller is off to the side.


I would love it if they were but suspect thery are just excavating the rest of the site

5pm and they're still off site. I'd suspect ndmoore to be correct. Does this mean that they'll be digging deeper soon to reveal the tops of the columns for eventual foundation?

Here are Planman's images:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4331714055_d4651cee69_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4331713523_c8bf3a02a9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4332450954_e598ef7447_b.jpg

The tops of the piers are being uncovered!

They have been placing these rebar cages for weeks. They have probably installed close to 30 of them by now. They install them, cement (or concrete) them in, let it dry, then cover it up with dirt so they can drive on it. They will dig the top of them out when they are ready to pour the foundation.

2-7-10

Devon Update:

The drilled piers for the tower were completed last Friday. Fifty nine piers were installed, the longest being drilled 135 feet below the dirt bench that the drill rigs sit on. Pier diameters were 60" and the shafts were filled with concrete with a maximum compressive strength of 12,000 pounds per square inch. The big blue drill rig is a Bauer BG-40 drill. Excavation to expose the pier tops will begin this week. The excavation depth is about 17' from the bench elevation and about 32' from street elevation.

There are approximately 580 additional drilled piers to install that will support portions of the Devon structure. While this work is being done, a 12' thick reinforced concrete pier cap will be poured on top of the 59 tower piers. After that, it's straight up with the tower.

The concrete walls around the perimeter of the site consist of overlapping drilled and concreted shafts (called "secant" shafts) with steel beams in some of them. Once excavation of the dirt started, the inside face of the secants was sprayed with a form of concrete called "shotcrete". The shotcrete is used as a subsurface for waterproofing material prior to forming the perimeter walls and pouring the wall concrete. In areas where the excavation is over
16' +/- deep, the secant walls are laterally supported with earth anchors called "tiebacks" which keep the walls from falling into the excavation. The tiebacks are drilled outside the perimeter walls and consist of 6" diameter shafts that are filled with multi-strand steel cables and filled ith grout (cement and water). Once the grout hardens, the strands are tensioned to a specific load and locked off against the inside face of the secant wall.

It is so awesome to see the steel reinforcing exposed!!! The weather is killing me though! I know that they will do all they can even in the rain when possible, but sheesh!! I am hoping for a dry spell for a while this spring (at least until they get the foundation poured)

Wow...can see the tops of the piers now. Even with the snow coming down.

RWB - thanks for the information. That's awesome to get to understand exactly what they are doing and why. Much appreciated!

RWB or Insider,
You seem to be the persons to know.
I presume a tower crane will come soon? If so, where might it be placed?

Curiously,

Cam Junkie #57

Thanks for the update RWB. What is your role in this project? I am suprised that the pier cap is that shallow. I would have expected a much thicker mat type foundation that the reinforcing would be tied into, from which the vertical structure would spring. Do you have any idea how much this weather is going to delay the prep in forming the pier cap? The site looks pretty soupy right now and the weather doesn't look good for a few days. I know that the moisture wouldn't effect the concrete, rather it is an issue of getting vehicles in and out of the site, ie. dump trucks etc..wheeled rather than tracked. I appreciate the detail in your post earlier.

Thanks RWB for your input. That was awesome! Keep posting.

...I am suprised that the pier cap is that shallow. I would have expected a much thicker mat type foundation that the reinforcing would be tied into, from which the vertical structure would spring...
You thought a 12 FOOT thick reinforced concrete pier cap sounds shallow? I'm surely no expert in this type of construction, but that sounds like an awful lot of mud to me. When you consider that it ties to nearly five dozen 60" DIAMETER piers that go more than 100 feet deep... ....wow...

You thought a 12 FOOT thick reinforced concrete pier cap sounds shallow? I'm surely no expert in this type of construction, but that sounds like an awful lot of mud to me. When you consider that it ties to nearly five dozen 60" DIAMETER piers that go more than 100 feet deep... ....wow...

HaHaha!! Yeah I am going to have to chock that one up to a serious case of the Mondays brain. Thanks Urbanized for calling me out on this, when I first read it I could have sworn that I read 12" and I thought to myself..there is no way that can be! (of course it couldn't) I should have spent the time to re-read the origninal post. That will teach me to quickly post while in the middle of doing other tasks at work! And for the record I had no problem with the 59 5' diameter piers going 100' it was an unbraced length issue being tied together with a 12" pier cap that caused my consternation. And well you see with 12 (feet) I have no concern, other than the fact that I somehow mis read the " or ' designation. You gotta love Mondays!

Ahem...12' (feet) sounds much more appropriate for the pier cap. All is right with the world! :LolLolLol:ohno::LolLolLol

Hah! Yeah, I don't think the thing will be blowing over in the wind... :wink:

It's alright, OKC@Heart. When I read it, I first read 12 (inches) as well. Gotta love "bad case of the Mondays"!

There was just an accident on the parking garage site - a large pillar was knocked over as well as a slab - don't know if there was anyone under it, but may wanna keep the workers in your thoughts and prayers.

Oh Crap...That is exactly a sites worst nightmare...I sure hope serious injury was avoided somehow...those columns are huge on the west side expansion. does anyone know how or what happened? Thoughts and prayers for all involved injured or witnesses alike. Those moments never leave you.

There are two images of the damaged area of the garage on the other Devon Construction thread. Anytime there are large concrete structural components collapsing it is hard to classify the accident as small as was done in the other post. I sure hope for a miracle as far as the crew who were on site at the time. It looks like there was some significant damage based on the images from Planman posted above. It looks like the Library escaped undamaged, although that column came awfully close.

In regards to the cam shot...not a single work site light on. Did they suspend work due to weather (which is lame compared to what it was forecasted to be) or due to the west side accident?

The Tower Pier Caps have not been un-covered yet. The pier caps you currently see are mostly old pier caps. The two Tower Cranes will be positioned east and west of the tower. Installation of the piers for the tower cranes started today, but was delayed by the weather. Installation of the first tower crane will likely occur within the next two weeks.

They should have there lights on down there. They should not stop for just a little snow that didn't even stick. Also when are they soppost to start on the main foundation?

When should they start the foundation

The Tower Pier Caps have not been un-covered yet. The pier caps you currently see are mostly old pier caps. The two Tower Cranes will be positioned east and west of the tower. Installation of the piers for the tower cranes started today, but was delayed by the weather. Installation of the first tower crane will likely occur within the next two weeks.

This right here made my eyebrow raise in fascination!

It was nice of the guys on the site to place the gravel just outside of that row of columns on the NE side. I know that it is just part of the process of stabilizing the site but it also provides a nice contrast making things easier to see from way up here at cam level!

Does anyone have any shots of the tower base area? I am dying for current shots there! SO much is happening down there!

Does anyone have any shots of the tower base area? I am dying for current shots there! SO much is happening down there!

I'll do my best with my crappy camera phone.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/7e3ac12d.jpg

I'll do my best with my crappy camera phone.

"Crappy camera phone"...you must have an iphone!

Unless my view from the web cam is fooling me, (and it has before)I do believe that I am seeing them stage reinforcing steel in the tower base area! Can anyone with a better view confirm this? If so that means that we are about to see them start laying out the reinforcing for the pier cap (mat foundation) This will make the base much more easily defined for our viewing pleasure! You gotta love technology...I have to admit it is driving my wife a bit crazy that the tower cam is always minimized on the home computer. I don't feel bad though she knew that she was marrying a development and construction junkie. :LolLolLol:woowoo::LolLolLol:woowoo:

I guess it could be that they are simply staging pre tied cages for the piers that they are continuing to drill and pour. Also does anyone know which pier is the one that is going to be used for the base of the tower crane east of the building? there is one that has something sticking up and I was wondering if that is it. Unless someone knows we will just have to wait and see when we see them set the base section in a week or so...

I'll try and remember my camera in morning - there's a lot going on but I have no idea what you call all the stuff!

Maybe tomorrow there will be sun so I can get some pictures

Is anyone doing the time lapse video's any more? I need a hit!

Cam Junkie #57

Is that the mat being "tied" as everyone is talking about, looks like steel and pink material being tied in from what I can see, but I don't know much about that stuff.

It looks like they are setting the forms for the concrete along the edges -- by the piers that have been exposed.

I really cannot grasp engineering on this scale. What a science, what an art really. Its really cool. This is a great vantage. I'm sure that its another day at the office for these cats and building their "piece" may not fully register to them everyday just what remarkable work they're doing. Seeing it from above like this, and day by day, really brings to reality the scope of this sort of building process.

pink material being tied in


That would be the pepto bismol bonding material.

If anyone thinks that the Devon Tower will be built entirely with concrete and re-bar you are "wrong". If it is I am wrong.

Hi Gen70, As a structural system if it is going to be concrete, it will likely be all concrete. If you mix structural systems you lose money because of the different skill sets of your labor on the site as well as subcontractors and coordination between them, it just is less efficient. Of course there will be miscellaneous metal or smaller steel shapes used for infill support and fascias and facades and soffits etc...but I am talking the actual main structural system.

That would be the pepto bismol bonding material.

Or Sea-Bond denture paste.

Are they going to start building the stories on it soon?

It looks like they may be constructing a concrete pour form around the piers. Anyone have an idea on this new fence structure?

I am guessing (By other projects I have seen) That we will see concrete this week. The need to finish dirt removal from the base, lay down vapor barrier stuff, tie in rebar matting, get it inspected and voila! And I think the Fence Structure you are talking about is the form that will hold the concrete in pace while it dries.