Alabama #21,2012 by Construction Equipment Guide

ALABAMA STATE EDITION

231

72 Florence

Huntsville

20 Decatur

565 59

A Supplement to:

231

431

Gadsden

78 59 Anniston

Birmingham Bessemer

82 Tuscaloosa

65 280

20 82 Auburn

Selma

Phenix City

Montgomery

October 17 2012

231

43 84 431 331

84 52

Vol. XXIV • No. 21

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Dothan

65 98

Mobile

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

Alabama State University’s Transformation Continues

Photo courtesy of David Campbell/ASU

The upper seating has been covered for inclement weather, giving the stadium a unique element.

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

As a dramatic transformation of Montgomery, Ala.’s, largest four-year university continues, construction crews are putting the final touches on a state-of-the-art football facility. Hornet Stadium is among numerous projects underway at Alabama State University (ASU), as part of a five-phase, $600 million master plan projected to be completed in 2035. “There’s so much activity on campus, alumni who haven’t been here for a while are amazed by the transformation,” said Tommy Lawrence, program director, TCU Consulting, who is helping to oversee ASU construction projects. “The impact the new stadium is having on students, faculty, staff and the community is remarkable,” Lawrence continued. “I believe the number of applications for enrollment is the highest ever. There’s a huge economic impact not only for the city of Montgomery, but for the surrounding area and

even the state. “In regard to the stadium and what it means to students, alumni, players and friends of the university, they will for the first time in many years walk on to a competition field that is their home, and they can enjoy the benefits of their hard work and dedication. It is a beautiful facility second to none in this area. And due to the hard work of the university, design team, program manager and a professional contractor, the stadium will have been programmed, designed and constructed in 24 months. It will be on time and within budget. It’s been a tremendous team effort.” Rabren General Contractor is the prime contractor for the stadium. Since 2005, Rabren General Contractors has completed 10 projects at Alabama State totaling $120 million. Phase I of the stadium started in April 2011, according to Ron Anders, Rabren business development director who pointed out, “The most common and biggest challenges with stadium construction are the coordination and installation of

structural components, and precast seating. All of these items require detailed shop drawings, proper planning, hoisting strategies and excellent fabrication and delivery coordination.” Dealing with cast in place concrete seating and precast upper seating are among the challenges construction teams have faced, as they work to complete the highly anticipated facility, which is located adjacent to the north Hall Street entrance way and runs at a slight angle alongside I-85. The scoreboard end zone, nearest I-85, is situated facing to the northwest. The main entrance into the stadium will eventually be linked to a campus-wide pedestrian corridor. “The stadium has unique lower bowl seating effect with artificial turf,” said Anders. “The east end zone area serves as locker rooms, media, coaches offices and a recruiting lounge and office/locker space for other athletics on campus. The south sideline area consists of club lounge space and see ASU page 2

Page 2 • October 17, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Stadium Already Making Its Impact Felt on University

Photo courtesy of David Campbell/ASU

The most common and biggest challenges with stadium construction are the coordination and installation of structural components, and precast seating. ASU from page 1

typical bathroom and concession spaces. The main concourse and entrance is located on the south side of the stadium facing the campus. A retail store, kitchen, ticket and restaurant space is adjacent to the main entrance.” The upper levels on the south consist of 20 suite lounges, upper concession levels and upper seating, along with a press box at the top of the upper south sideline. The upper seating has been covered for inclement weather, giving the stadium a unique element. The east end zone foundations and structural components were designed for future growth. North sidelines have typical concession and restroom spaces. The west end zone will be green space with an electronic scoreboard above the main concourse. Heavy structural steel and precast elements were installed with two 250-ton (226 t) cranes as part of the construction. The project is tracking to be complete by November 22, 2012. “The stadium is located adjacent to the Life Sciences building. The hoisting of structural steel and precast was a challenge in these areas, but the university has been excellent to work with,” Anders explained, “As you drive by the stadium you can see the upper deck, but entering the stadium from the main concourse and entry plaza you will experience a field level 30 ft. below the main concourse. The lower field level and south sideline elements are very impressive.” Sports Turf Company Inc., was contracted by Rabren to construct the synthetic football field inside the stadium.

“Sports Turf has consulted with the general contractor, owners’ representatives and other site specialties to ensure that the finished product will be of the highest quality,” said Sports Turf Company project manager Todd Wiggins. “Sports Turf will establish the final subgrade for the field at a maximum 0.5-percent slope from crown to field perimeter, install the field drainage system that connects into an underground detention system, install the six-inch gravel rock drainage layer and oversee the installation of the AstroTurf GameDay Grass, which is manufactured and installed by AstroTurf. “We have mobilized and hope to be finished by mid-October. The work involves grading, drainage and synthetic field surfacing.” According to Wiggins, “Rabren has done a good job of scheduling, so time is not as big a factor as normal on this type of job. The project is still a fast-track project that requires commitment from all the contractors involved, but it’s being managed very effectively. That is not always the case from our perspective. The other major factor would be weather. Rain can always impede progress and push a schedule.” To complete the assignment, Sports Turf will use tractors that have been customized to be operated utilizing laser controls, along with excavators, bulldozers and smooth drum rollers. “This project will involve a combination of Washed #57 and #89 Stone, where approximately 2,400 tons make up the drainage layer. The perimeter of the field has a collector line that is 24 inches in diameter,

Photo courtesy of David Campbell/ASU

Heavy structural steel and precast elements were installed with two 250-ton (226 t) cranes as part of the construction.

and is approximately 1,300 feet long. Approximately 95,500 square feet of synthetic turf will be needed.” Six to ten crew members will be used for the task, depending on what the schedule dictates. Sports Turf Company, Inc., which has been in the business of constructing athletic fields, tracks, and tennis courts for more than 20 years, is no stranger to ASU construction. “This project will mark number four for us with Alabama State University, “ said

Wiggins. “STC finds it an honor that we were able to be part of the team that is helping to improve the campus and the athletic facilities for the university.” Dan Allman of Musco Lighting LLC, added, “We’re providing the sports lighting system. The purpose of the sports lighting system is to provide illumination for the field of play and the stadium bowl. The first product was shipped in April 2012 with completion scheduled for September 2012.” see ASU page 6

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • October 17, 2012 • Page 3

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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • October 17, 2012 • Page 5

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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • October 17, 2012 • Page 5

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Alabama Family Uses Timber Framing to Build House By Ana Rodriguez THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS

CHELSEA, Ala. (AP) A house built without nails. It might seem impossible to many nowadays, but at one point, timber framing, as it is called, was standard practice. It’s seldom done anymore. But for one family in Shelby County, it seemed like the perfect way to build a lakefront guest house. When O.G. Touchstone, — Tut, as he likes to be called — set out to build on 26 acres along the outskirts of Chelsea, he imagined a simple place: a cabin on a private lake, no electricity, a wood-burning stove. “Then the girls got involved,” said Tut as he shook his head, his boots deeply embedded in the red mud by the building site. The design, said Tut, took approximately one weekend to complete. The family — his wife, Kathy; their children, Jody, Green and Jesse; as well as Green’s wife, Erica, and Jody’s husband, Nathan Orrison — all pitched in with their ideas. Soon, the simple cabin grew to be around 3,000 sq. ft., said Tut. “I got it back down to 1,100 square feet,” Tut said. The one thing they could agree on was that they wanted it to be unique. Six out of the seven family members are designers in some respect — ranging from architects to landscape designers. Tut himself was a landscape architect before he retired. Jody was the first to suggest post-and-beam construction, also known as timber framing. Jesse, the youngest son who will be the primary occupant of the house, suggested the dog-trot design, including a breezeway open to the roof in the middle of the home. When searching for a builder, Tut found who he thought was the perfect man for the job in Thomas Downs, owner of Southern Timber Framer LLC. Downs spent two years in

Maine learning techniques used by timber framers. After he built a small timber frame during a week-long course, he was hooked. “This type of construction is basically unheard of in the South,” said Downs, as he lined up the next peg. John McGee, an engineered wood and components sales manager at 84 Lumber in the Birmingham area who has been in the construction business since 1986, said that he has only known of one or two buildings erected with traditional timber framing techniques. “That’s very rare,” McGee said when he heard about the Shelby County project. “It’s a very unusual framing technique. It’s a pretty extreme, old-school building style that you just don’t see anymore.” Rather than traditional sheet-rock construction with studs and nails, the Touchstones’ construction plan entails using heavy pine timbers connected with mortise and tenon joints. Diagonal bracing adds extra support, while wooden dowels hold the joints in place. Tongue-and-groove details, which allow the wood floor to fit together like a puzzle, reduce the need for metal and nails. Although he uses a computer to help with measurements, the precision needed to ensure a smooth fit means measuring more than twice. Downs cuts the pieces off site, creating a puzzle of sorts that he puts together on location. “I’ll measure everything for about a week and a half,” said Downs, “and then we’ll spend another week cutting all the wood. All of it, though, will go up in about five days.” Once the frame of the structure is built, Structural Insulating Panels will be used to create the walls of the cabin. Although the timbers will only be visible from the inside of the house because of the use of SIPs, the design offers a less complex construction plan and better heat insulation. The unique construction will be mirrored inside by the personal touches requested by each of the family members:

• Tut wanted a heated floor. “Brick gets too cold in the winter,” he said. • Erica wanted window seats. “We have to listen to Erica. She’s carrying the families’ first set of twins — my grandbabies.” • Kathy wanted lots of windows. “If I get Kathy’s approval, everything else will be OK,” said Tut of his wife. Tut expects the house to be livable by Thanksgiving, but said he will probably put another year of work in before it is completely finished. The plans call for a 10-ft. ceiling fan, a 12-ft. screened porch, a 9-ft. open porch and an outdoor shower. “I wanted it,” said Tut when asked about the outdoor shower. “I like to take showers outside. Eventually, we’ll put something inside. For now, the grandkids can use a sheep and goat trough,” he said with a chuckle. Eventually, Tut said he plans on selling the remaining land, property he and his friend, Tommy Turpin, bought sometime in the 1980s: a total of 150 acres surrounding a lake that holds 87,000 coppernose bluegill fish. He will sell one lot a year — a total of 10 lots, ranging from four to nine acres each, eventually developing a subdivision that will feature estate-style homes. Tut said he will not be involved in the building of the homes, but will have some regulations for buyers. They won’t be allowed to remove more than 10 percent of the trees on the property, for example. Recently, Tut sold 20 acres to the Shelby County Board of Education where they will build a new elementary school. With the funds from that sale, Tut said he was able to begin work on a paved road off of Highway 47 that will serve as the main road to the subdivision. For now, the house will serve as a residence for Tut’s son, a place for Tut to stay while he works on the property, and a place for the family to visit, tucked away in the woods.

Library Renovations, New Residence Halls Taking Shape ASU from page 2

As for the different construction tasks involved in dealing with field lighting work, Allman said, “We are providing fixtures and pole structures on the non-press box side of the field. The fixtures placed on the press box side of the field will be mounted onto a catwalk above the roof. Musco Green Generations series fixtures will be provided for the event lighting. Supplemental Hot Restrike fixtures also are used for providing the stadium egress within the confines of the stadium bowl. Materials will include mainly steel for the poles and crossarms. All enclosures for the electrical components are aluminum. “Musco is extremely excited to be involved in the stadium project. With the conclusion of the stadium construction, Musco will have product on football, baseball, softball and intramural facilities at ASU.” Lawrence pointed out, “The budget for

the stadium is $62 million and will have ticket sales of 26,500. The stadium has space available to expand to seating for 50,000. This facility is scheduled for completion prior to the ‘Turkey Day Classic’ on November 22, 2012. This ball game is between Alabama State University and Tuskegee University. This will be the first home game in their own stadium for ASU.” The new ASU Football Complex and Weight Room was overseen by McWhorter Construction, Anniston, Ala., and Ingram Construction, Montgomery, Ala. The program budget for the entire facility was approximately $7.5 million. The Intramural Field/Baseball Complex Project and Softball Complex were headed by Rabren Contracting and Platinum Construction, Birmingham, Ala. The total program budget for these two projects was $5.7 million. Other projects being designed, under construction or already completed on the ASU campus include the new $30 million,

250,000 sq.-ft. Ralph David Abernathy Hall — the second largest construction project in the history of the university, the Sky Lounge renovation, Benson Hall demolition, Acadome conference room renovation, the Levi Watkins library addition, a new residential complex and a $25 million Student Services Center, which houses registration, admissions, student services and S.G.A. offices. The Center also offers a cyber café, bookstore, post office, computer lab, food court, ballroom and theater. Additions to and renovation of the Levi Watkins Library cost roughly $21.7 million. The Student Services Center features an Internet Café, meeting rooms, a small auditorium and study rooms designed for undergraduate and graduate students. The renovations also include a courtyard and an enlarged area to store writings pertaining to the Civil Rights Movement. The makeover is an addition of 60,500 sq. ft. to the existing 87,000-sq.-ft. building.

Also included in the ASU transformation are two new residence halls. Each building has suite-style rooms, computer labs, group study rooms, common areas and laundry facilities at a cost of approximately $15 million. At 80,000 sq. ft. each, they will accommodate 500 students. Founded in 1867, in Marion, Ala., ASU is one of the oldest institutes of higher learning that was established as a school for AfricanAmericans. With students of all races currently enrolled at ASU, the school offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Close to 6,000 students attend ASU, which lists among its alumni civil rights pioneers Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • October 17, 2012 • Page 7

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Page 8 • October 17, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide