The Aztec Student Union Update Blog

Construction Meeting Updates – February 22

Mark Rogoff — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:47:57 +0000

Well, it was in the low 80s this afternoon in the College Area. Aren’t we lucky? Perfect working conditions for construction of your Aztec Student Union. It’s been a lot more of the same this past week with foundation pours and foundation wall pours. This will continue for the foreseeable future as well. Here we go:

*All of the foundation wall pours in Area D of the basement are complete.

*Foundation wall pours in Area C of the basement are ongoing, including Section #8 today and Section #6 on Friday.

*A big footings pour is scheduled for tomorrow in Area A of the basement. Approximately 350 cubic yards of concrete will go in, and it will be the last foundation pour of significant size. The remaining footings pours won’t occur until after the demolition of utilities is complete under Aztec Circle Drive.

*Other foundation work this week and next include the pouring of elevator pit walls, as well as interior and exterior backfill around the walls in Area C and Area D.

*Work has resumed – and will soon wrap up – on the northwest section of the steam tunnel. The installation of the roller guides that the pipes rest on began today.

*The northeast section of the steam tunnel passed its test yesterday. Backfill is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Meanwhile, the old steam tunnel that lies adjacent to the new one is being demo’ed.

*Work on the sewer in the northwest section of the site is complete. All that’s left is the tie-in. In addition, excavation is underway to replace the storm drain.

*The sidewalk along the MTS bus depot is scheduled to receive some cosmetic repairs this weekend. New pavers will be placed for a flatter surface to help ensure the safety of pedestrians.

*Finally, it’s time for our “Construction Terminology” segment. Today let’s go with “pavers” since some of you may be scratching your heads.

A paver is a pre-cast piece of concrete or brick commonly used in exterior hardscaping applications. Interlocking paving stones are installed over a compacted stone sub-base and a leveling bed of sand. Concrete paving stones can be used for walkways, patios, pool decks and driveways. Instead of connecting the pavers by pouring grout between the joints as one would with tiles, sand particles are spread over the pavers and tamped down. The sand stabilizes the interlocking pavers, yet allows for some flexibility.

Construction Meeting Updates – February 15

Mark Rogoff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:57:37 +0000

We hear the workers who were featured in those Valentine’s Day Facebook photos scored significant points with their significant others. But now, following the romantic day on site, all of the lovey-dovey stuff has been removed and it’s back to normalcy. Here are a few notes at the mid-way point of February:

*Foundation wall pours are continuing in Area C of the basement. Section #7 is going in this afternoon.

*The remaining footings in Areas A and B are scheduled to be poured next week.

*The sewer main on the northwest corner of the site has been re-connected and backfill is now underway.

Finally, we’re going to add a little segment called “Construction Terminology”. We’ll take a construction term that was a part of the weekly meeting and describe to our loyal followers what it means.

Today we’ll define “caulking”. Caulking is one of several different processes to seal joints or seams in various structures and certain types of piping. Now, hopefully you’re not left wondering what we’re caulking about.

Construction Meeting Updates – February 8

Mark Rogoff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:40 +0000

It’s more of the same this week at Aztec Student Union, but in this case the same is good. Foundations and foundation walls. That’s certainly better than moving dirt in, out and around the project. Here’s the latest from a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon:

*Sundt has divided up the foundation walls into about 33 sections. Section 1 was poured last week. Section 2 and Section 5 were poured today…about 120 cubic yards of concrete went in. Section 3 is scheduled to be poured Friday. Meanwhile, rebar is being placed for the formation of other walls.

This photo shows Section 1 (left), Section 5 (front and center), Section 2 (behind Sec. 5), and Section 3 (back left behind Sec. 1).

*The next foundation footing pour is slated for Friday.

Workers set rebar in preparation for the footing pour on Friday.

*Excavators have pretty much wrapped up digging for the foundations…for now. There is still more digging to be done, but not until Aztec Circle Drive gets squared away with its underground utilities on the far east side of the site.

*The removal of all the utilities underneath Aztec Circle Drive continues. The famed Patrick Carey, who literally brought down the house during demolition, is back on site to perform this work.

*The roller guides for the northwest steam pipes are scheduled to arrive next week. Once they arrive and are installed, the final two holes (one at each end of the northwest section) can be backfilled.

Construction Meeting Updates – February 1

Mark Rogoff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:28:22 +0000

Well, it’s February 1, and that means we’re eight months into the project. The start of concrete pouring for the building’s foundations last Friday was a major milestone, and now we’re well on our way. We’re going vertical. Here’s what we know on this beautiful “winter” day:

*Following last week’s foundation footings pour in Area D (northwest section of basement), the first foundation wall was poured this afternoon. The concrete mix for the wall is more like a cake batter, thinner than the peanut butter-like mix for the footings (this according to Inspector of Record Bill Walden). Robertson’s is providing all the concrete mix. Walls are 16 inches thick.

*Meanwhile, other walls are being formed and prepped for pouring in Area D.

*Footings in Area C (southwest section) are scheduled to be poured on Friday.

*Footings in Area B (southeast section) are scheduled to be poured a week from Friday.

*Patrick Carey has made his triumphant return to demo the old steam tunnel that runs along Aztec Circle Drive. This process will take a few weeks.

*Finally, fabrication of the structural steel at SME Steel in West Jordan, Utah began on January 12. All the embeds and anchor bolts have already been fabricated.

Construction Meeting Updates – January 25

Mark Rogoff — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:04:47 +0000

Well, the construction site has never been busier, at least since the end of demolition. With the majority of the underground utility work completed or near completion, it’s time to get going on the actual building. Here’s what we know this week:

*Work on the building’s foundation and foundation walls has started and will continue for the next several weeks. The first concrete pour is scheduled for Friday, which is a milestone for the project.

*Demolition of the existing northwest steam tunnel is underway and will wrap up soon.

*Abatement and demolition of the utilities underneath Aztec Circle Drive will commence soon.

Construction Meeting Updates – January 11

Mark Rogoff — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:17:20 +0000

What’s happening, loyal Aztec Student Union followers?!?!?! Here’s the deal as spring semester is set to begin:

*Excavation and weatherization of the basement area is now complete. Workers are expected to start layout excavation for foundations beginning Monday.

As Aztec Student Union's #1 Fan Emily Chamberlin Kattawar says, it's so smooth it could be named "Aztec Speedway."

*With the basement area work completed, the first elevator pit is expected to be drilled tomorrow. The drilling will take place between the stakes seen in the picture below. This hole, which will be roughly 30 inches in diameter, has to go as deep into the ground as the elevator rises above the ground. For example, an elevator that rises four stories would have to have a pit that goes 40 feet into the ground.

The first elevator pit will be drilled in Area D of the basement area (northwest corner).

*Demo of the existing steam tunnel continues.

The easterly point of connection of the northwest section of the steam tunnel.

*Dirt from Mount Aztec is being hauled off to Lot W. The dirt currently lies in an area where workers will soon build an access ramp down to the southwest corner of the basement. Thus, the dirt has to be exported.

Construction Meeting Updates – January 4

Mark Rogoff — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:16:52 +0000

It’s a brand-new year and the skies are clear. It’s the middle of the week, which means info from the construction geek. Here are the first updates of 2012:

*The excavation of the basement area is expected to be completed tomorrow. This basically means you’ll be able to distinguish the outline of the new building.

Excavator cuts out the northwest corner of the basement area.

Cutting out the east side of the basement area.

*Weatherization of the dirt in the basement area is expected to be completed by the end of the week. This process helps the dirt absorb water in the event of a storm, which thankfully isn’t on the radar. On a related note, the crushed concrete from Lot W has been brought back to the basement area as backfill.

*A surveyor is scheduled to come out next week in preparation for drilling of the elevator pit, which will be in the northwest corner of the basement area. That’s where the first batch of concrete will be poured.

*Welding continues in the northeast section of the steam tunnel.

*The majority of the backfilling of the northwest section of the steam tunnel is complete. That means the demolition of the existing steam tunnel can begin, which is expected to take place next week.

The deep, lengthy trench has been filled!

Construction Meeting Updates – December 21

Mark Rogoff — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:06:26 +0000

Finals are over, the fall semester is over, and now, finally, the rain is over. The pace is picking up once again. Here are the updates:

*The westerly point of connection (POC) in the northwest section of the steam tunnel has been tied in. The easterly POC was being tied in this afternoon.

Westerly POC.

Easterly POC.

*Testing of the steam pipes is expected to begin tomorrow. Once testing is complete, the pre-cast lids can be placed on the tunnel and backfill can begin. That process is expected to begin next week.

Pre-cast lids were finished in early September.

*Demolition of the Aztec Center’s south wall was completed this afternoon. It wasn’t quite as exciting as the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989, but significant nonetheless. “It was a nice wall,” said excavator operator Patrick Carey.

*Grading of the basement area and work on the northeast section of the steam tunnel will commence soon.

That is all for blog posts in 2011. No construction meeting next Wednesday. Thanks for reading and see you in 2012!

Construction Meeting Updates – December 14

Mark Rogoff — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:53:36 +0000

Not much to go over with all of the rain the last two days. Mother Nature is just not cooperating. But hey, so it goes. Here are a few updates from today’s meeting:

*Excavation of the basement area will resume as soon as it dries out. No surprises there. Water is currently being pumped out to expedite the process.

*Aztec Circle Drive is being taken out to lower the grade. The existing utilities that lie underneath the road will also be removed.

*Drilling for the elevator pits in scheduled for the week after Christmas. That will take place in the northwest corner of the basement area.

Final exams are here

Mark Rogoff — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:52:30 +0000

The fall semester is coming to a close and the Aztec Student Union construction class is joining the final exam party. Check out the 10-question, multiple-choice test at www.aztecstudentunion.com for a chance to win $50 in gift cards to Starbucks and the bookstore. Testing is open until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13. You must have a valid SDSU Red ID to be eligible for the grand prize. Good luck!