Once complete, the new footprint of Madison Park Middle School will encompass nearly 18 acres! To support this humongous site, over the last 8 weeks the CHASSE team has been prepping for and installing underground utilities. These include storm drain, sewer, fire, and water lines. These lines are buried DEEP underground. Some almost seven feet! Keeping track of their exact location is important. We do this in two different ways. First, our team creates what’s called ‘as-built’ drawings. These are essentially blueprints that show each building + what’s buried underneath. Each line is identified using a specific color:
Second, each line is fitted with a tracing wire. This is an additional, fool-proof way to help people locate the lines. This information is important because it eliminates the potential of damaging utility lines during future renovations and repairs. As-builts are living documents that are updated throughout the project and shared with the school once complete. The as-built below shows the overall footprint of your new school!
Milestone Event! Concrete footings have been installed on buildings A and B, with stem walls coming next!
Concrete Footings and Stem Walls are additional pieces of construction that aren’t seen but are necessary for strong, long-lasting buildings. They carry the weight of the entire school! At Madison Park, they are the walls that will begin the vertical movement of all the buildings on your campus. The exterior walls will be built on top of the stem walls to a height of 30 feet. For a better understanding of Stem Walls and how the foundation works, take a look at the diagram below!
Up Next: Be sure to check back next month as we begin vertical movement on building C and pour the concrete slabs of buildings A and B!
