Meeting the challenge

On large public projects the architectural design is often ambitious, creating complex challenges for many of the contractors involved.

Stevenson Concrete has been involved in many aspects of the 8500m² Grand Atrium project within the Auckland War Memorial Museum's southern courtyard. Phillip Stevenson says the company was thrilled to be involved in such a construction.

"This is an ambitious project and it is satisfying to have been able to work with the museum, project managers, architects and main contractor to provide innovative construction solutions," he says.

Stevenson Concrete has worked to develop the correct concrete mixes for this complex project. A special mix, developed for the perimeter wall, required two layers of concrete. The first layer was shotcreted, and the second was a special mix applied between the shotcrete and a removable shutter. This layer mix needed to be highly workable, with 160mm slump and small aggregate to go through the tighter reinforcing.

Stevenson Concrete also applied self-compacting concrete mixes used to form an 18.4m length of beam in two spans. In situ concrete was pumped to cast the four beams, and Golden Bay Cement's Microsilica 600 additive was used in the shotcrete mix provided for the excavated area of the new carpark. This helped reduce rebounding as the shape of the wall was not even, and the Microsilica added cohesion to the thicker mix.

Stevenson Concrete supplied 40,000 units of masonry blocks to Bill Grace Ltd, who did much of the blockwork at the museum. Stresscrete Dycor pre-cast flooring was also used in the project.

For more information, contact Stevenson Concrete Products, Private Bag 94000, South Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1730, phone (09) 921 8400, fax (09) 921 8401. Website: www.stevenson.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas