WORLD'S LARGEST FABRIC-FORMED COLUMN PADS

The GIUSTI Group, Calgary Alberta formed concrete foundations, columns and floors for a six story concrete and steel condominium project in Kelowna, BC.

The Giusti Group began as a custom home builder in 1973, by 1986 were building multi-family complexes. The Company has now built more than 600 custom homes and 35,000 multi-family units.

The 285 unit project in Kelowna is developed and marketed by Cove Properties Ltd. under the name Playa del Sol. "The Giusti Group has provided prompt, professional and outstanding service to our company for many years. Giusti's attention to maximizing efficiency through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and formwork has been exemplary. Joe [Giusti] and his team continue to impress us with their unwavering dedication to improving their craft", confirmed Grant Klapstein, President, Cove Properties Ltd.
 

Geotechnical Complexity

The building site was complex geotechnically for two reasons: first the danger of liquefaction under seismic conditions; and second, settlement under static loads.

"To eliminate the possibility of liquefaction, we used vibral compaction and sand columns", said Randy Hillaby, geotechnical engineer with Levelton. "And we preloaded the site to prevent static settlement."

As the site was close to Kelowna Lake, with its high water table, dewatering was required to keep the excavation open and relatively dry.

Structural Engineering

As the remediated soils could only support loads of 2,000 pounds per square foot, large footing pads were required to transfer the loads of the building into the ground.

"Our largest pad measured over 15' square, with a depth of 30 inches", said Brian Tomecek, Structural Engineer with TRL & Associates Ltd. "Typical steel configuration was 25 to 30 mm at 300 mm on center."

Footing Layout

The irregular building site made form layout very difficult. "We decided right from the get-go to use a robotic total station", said Scott Saunders, Project Manager. "Laying out 270 pads on different angles using strings would have been a nightmare. With the station, one man does the layout - a huge labor saving!"
 

Setting the screeds

2x10s were precut to the required pad dimensions, and hinged at each corner for fast installation and stripping.

Three 2x4 stakes were driven along each 2x10, and a laser used to locate the exact height.

Installing Fastfoot®

62" fabric width was used to form the deeper pads. "It is essential to provide adequate slack in the fabric", said Scott. "Otherwise there will be too much downward pressure, leading to form failure." Bricks are used to hold the fabric in position prior to installing the steel reinforcing.

Note the dewatering pipe in the bottom left corner.

Bracing was installed on each stake to withstand the significant lateral loads.

Reinforcing Steel

25 to 30 mm rebar was used throughout the footings, with horizontals spaced 300 mm on center.

Concrete

Concrete was supplied by Burnco Concrete, with branches throughout Alberta, and recently expanded into BC in Kelowna, Penticton and Burnaby. 32 MPA concrete was supplied for the footings and slabs.

"This project used a lot of concrete - over 13,000 yards", exclaimed Brandon Moffat, sales representative for Burnco in Kelowna. "Fastfoot® is an excellent form as it ensures proper hydration of our concrete on dry sand and clays during the summer."

The concrete was placed in the deeper pads in two lifts. "From our experience, any pad deeper than 24" is best poured in two lifts", said Scott.

Stripping

Removing the stakes and screed boards is simple with Fastfoot® as there is no contact between the lumber and the concrete.

Site Logistics

Towards the end of the project, it becomes increasingly difficult to store and move formwork. "One of the real advantages of Fastfoot®  on this tight site is the reduction of forming materials required", said Scott.

Fastfoot® Performance

"With the bag, labor minimized. Hence more efficient. And the job gets done", confirmed Scott.