CLIENT

FORD CIVIL CONTRACTING

PROJECT

Sydney International Airport

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Precision cutting of bearing pads and footings in existing slabs

PROJECT DURATION

January - April 2008

PROJECT VALUE

$180,000

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BACKGROUND

Combined Saw Cutting was engaged by Ford Civil to cut over fifty 1.8m x 1.8m and 2m x 2m square pads through 500mm thick concrete to allow footings to be prepared for piles.

These piles would form the footings for a new retail shopping area and baggage handling facility at the Sydney International Airport as well as the crane bearing pads to be used during construction.

KEY CHALLENGES

Structural engineers were concerned that any over cuts in the mass concrete slab would generate uncontrolled cracking throughout the slab, which would necessitate complete removal and reinstatement of the concrete slab.

All pads had to be completely cut through the concrete whilst ensuring there were no over cuts at the corners.

PROJECT SUCCESSES

Combined developed a new methodology which proved three times quicker and more cost effective than the traditional solution of stitch core drilling each corner.

This methodology ensured each slab was able to be lifted cleanly and could be loaded directly onto waiting trucks for removal from the site.

All pad cuts were completed cleanly with no over cutting or cracking and work finalised two days ahead of schedule.