DESIGNING, MODELING, AND CALCULATING FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES IS OUR FORTE. WE PASS ON OUR ADVICE TO THE PARTY THAT EXECUTES IT. BUT THEN WE OFTEN ASK OURSELVES: ARE THE CONNECTIONS FROM OUR ADVICE EXECUTED CORRECTLY? WILL THE STEEL BE ASSEMBLED ACCORDING TO THE DRAWINGS? BECAUSE WE STAND FOR THE INVISIBLE STRENGTH OF A BUILDING, WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THIS INVISIBLE STRENGTH IS ALSO SECURED. THAT IS WHY WE CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITES OF OUR PROJECTS. NOT TO BE PEDANTIC AND TO KNOW BETTER, BUT SIMPLY TO GO FOR THE VERY BEST RESULT TOGETHER.
Therefore, we do not call our inspection a quality control of the construction work for nothing. It is something that is important to us, for the end user of our projects, but also for our client(s) and investor(s). We therefore visit the construction site more and more often on request, when there are problems, such as cracking in the masonry or foundation problems, for example. We don’t just visit once either. First before the foundation is poured to check the reinforcement, later when the floors/walls and or the steel structure is assembled. Steel inspections for commercial buildings we usually perform before all the installations are in, but after the facades and roof are assembled and the commercial floor is poured and cured. The commercial building is then easily accessible for an overall inspection using an aerial platform.
WHY
With these quality checks, we are already sorting out the new Quality Assurance Act (QAA), which will be phased in from January 1, 2024. In addition, the purpose of these checks is to ensure that the executing parties, particularly the steel suppliers, make and assemble the quality of their delivered product at the highest possible level. But designing parties, the constructors, and modelers of Pelecon, also learn a tremendous amount from these quality controls.
SPECIFIC CHECKS FOR NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS
Reinforcement of the foundations and floors of new buildings receives our attention, especially on points where the structural engineer has indicated beforehand that they need extra attention. Is the concrete cover good and how are the anchors for the steel construction? If we perform a steel inspection, we check the entire steel construction in random samples. Are all the bolts present, are the details correct, is the connection “open” and what is the quality of the welding? We look at the profiles; is everything present and are we dealing with misalignment or are things warped? For this check, we keep our drawings and those of the steel company.
It also happens that there are problems with the construction of existing buildings. We then investigate on site, often in combination with an archive investigation at the municipality. This is necessary, together with the current situation, to draw up a well-thought-out report for remodeling or repairing the building.
CAREFUL RECORDING
It is a good thing that our colleagues who perform the checks have a sharp eye, because most of the checks are done with the naked eye. But we also use ED-Controls, which we use to take photos on location to record everything we see. Cracks and misalignment are measured with a level, and joints are checked by hand and/or tools.
We find it important that our findings are recorded in a report. For this we have a checklist that we carefully tick off, often accompanied by a proposal for repair. We share the report internally with the structural engineer, externally with the client and possibly with the party that will perform the repair work.
WHO HAS THAT KEEN EYE?
That is a small group within Pelecon including Structural Modeler Eric Noorduin. Together they have built up so much knowledge and experience in recent years that they can quickly see if repairs are necessary. And that is unfortunately still sometimes the case, after all, construction remains human work! That is why we are happy to have colleagues like Eric and we can always ensure the safety of the users of the buildings and can continue to say that we stand for that #invisiblepower.