Located on tight sites in highly populated areas inside city limits, the projects are challenging and require the implementation of both traditional and unique construction methods to get the job done safe, on time, on budget and to the highest degree of quality.

The new wastewater lift stations utilize sunken caisson wet wells as the primary structure and construction method. The cast-in-place concrete construction of the wet walls was completed above grade in sections, ranging from 16 to 18 feet in diameter, through multiple cylindrical concrete lifts. In addition, the wet wells are designed with a cutting profile cast into the concrete bottom. Two primary mechanics ensured the structures could sink in the Floridian soils with a high water table. First, the sheer weight of the structure enabled settling, with each section lift weighing upwards of 300,000 pounds. Second, excavating the soil within the interior of the structure initiated the cutting edge of the structure鈥檚 bottom, allowing the wet well to sink to its final location. Once the structure was sunk to its elevation, a plug slab was placed using an underwater tremie method, creating a watertight wet well structure.

In order to excavate the material from within the structure, the team used an innovative telescopic dipper arm, a teledipper. This specialized excavator attachment is designed for deep excavation applications and features a clamshell-style bucket mounted to a telescoping arm. The equipment has the ability to reach distances of 10 to 50 feet in depth at steep angles (including approaching 90 degrees), making it ideal for this type of work.

PC self-performed concrete construction along with site maintenance. We were fortunate to work with our trade partner, Danus Utilities, who expertly managed the specialty excavation via teledipper during this process.

This innovative sunken caisson method, and the use of the teledipper, reduced the area of impact by 80% when compared to conventional open-cut excavation and cast-in-place methods. The overall process also minimized hazards to existing utilities, public roads and pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Photos Top to Bottom: 1) The teledipper excavating soil from within the interior of the structure; 2) Excavation at a near 90-degree angle; 3) The sunken wet well.

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In the ever-evolving world of construction and property development, the integration of advanced technology is revolutionizing how projects are managed and executed. One standout innovation being utilized at the Residences at Chestnut Street project is Didge, a self-driving robot from Nextera Robotics. This remarkable device is not just a gadget; it is a powerful tool that enhances efficiency, safety and quality assurance on jobsites.

Didge is equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to assist construction teams in monitoring and reporting on jobsites. Its capabilities include capturing 360掳 photos, generating automated progress reports, measuring lumens in different areas, assessing wetness, and tracking jobsite safety. We are using Didge to streamline and enhance these tasks on a daily basis.

• 360掳 Photography: Didge has captured comprehensive visual documentation of our entire project. The resulting images allows our project team, the owner and the architect to gain a complete perspective of progress in every apartment unit and all common spaces. At the touch of a button, these 360掳 images can be compared to the exact perspective from weeks and months ago, allowing us to see the space at every step of construction
• Automated Progress Reports: The robot’s ability to create automated reports streamlines communication and reduces the time spent on manual documentation. These reports can include insights on MEPF and finishes progress, ensuring that schedules are adhered to and any delays are identified quickly.
• Illumination Measurement: Didge measures the lumens in each area of the building, providing critical data that contributes to planning, energy efficiency and ensuring safety standards are maintained.
• Wetness Assessment: One of the standout features of Didge is its ability to track wetness in different areas. This information is crucial, particularly in ensuring that materials are stored correctly, and that construction progresses without delays due to water damage.
• Safety Tracking: Jobsite safety is paramount at PC. Didge helped us monitor safety protocols and practices and assess compliance with regulations. Real-time data regarding safety conditions allowed our teams to react promptly to potential hazards.

Through the use of this technology, we streamlined typical processes that traditionally require significant manual labor. Typically, an office engineer would spend considerable time photographing each unit from various angles as the project progressed. With Didge, we automated this process, saving a tremendous amount of time and freeing up his time to focus on other more critical tasks.

In addition, when we encountered a need for a design change in the mechanical closets in each unit, we used Didge to assess the layout of all the MEP piping concealed within the walls. This capability enabled us to make informed decisions about design alterations while avoiding conflicts with existing infrastructure.

Click play above to see some of the exciting things Didge is helping us with!

As technology continues to advance, the role of robots like Didge represents a new era of construction management that prioritizes quality and strategic oversight. The efficiency gains and quality improvements offered by automated solutions are undeniable, paving the way for smarter builds and safer jobsites.

The post Transforming Construction with Didge: A Look at Residences at Chestnut Street appeared first on PC Construction.