Frank la Rivière, Architects

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090527

Today we, Mochizuki san, Nakata san and myself, traveled to Hachinohe for an inspection of the steel manufacturers factory. The production has not yet started so this inspection was more a preparation. Arriving by Hayate at the station around lunch time we were first taken for a lunch half way the rout to the factory. The driver suddenly drove off the tarmac road into a graveled path sloping down to this shovel shed on the rocks facing the sea. The surprise came upon entering. A rather nice restaurant unfolded that served a great lunch for what we heard not quite reasonable price.

An this was the view from the restaurant!

After the detailed discussions and the checking of the dimensioning on the CD|AD drawings was finished an unusual part of the inspection took place. This was the calibration of the tape measure to be used on site. This tape measure was compared to the one used in the factory, by putting them both under the same tension and check if there would be a difference at every 5 meter point. Only a small divergence was measured. Most of the dimensioning is now computer operated therefore the tape measures will not be used so often.

A number of connections were check with the help of 1:1 scale drawings printed on polyester film and spread out on the floor. This was the first time we could get a feel of the true scale of the structure.

After the inspection we were shown around in the factory and explained the production flow.

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090514 site visit

The site after the heavy rains of today. Because of these circumstances only 1 pile was installed. The next one was planned for friday the 15th of May. Eventually, because of trouble with the equipment, the second pile was installed on Monday 18th of May.

The construction of this years Nebutas has started. Through the entrance of one of the tents specially erected for the construction I could get a glimps of the wire and stick sub-structure being erected.

Today I attended the test piling session. First the dimensions of both piles were checked followed by the an inspection of the boring head (two diameters are used 750 for the shaft and for the last bit a widening to a 1100 diameter), calibration of the pile driver, the positioning of the pile hole, followed by the test boring and the inspection of the cement milk mix. First the two holes are drilled after which the piles are installed.
The inspection is not only meant to verify that the material is as specified but also to see the work flow. Each team has a different way of working and it needs to be ascertained that each step proceeds without problems. Today it was planned to install two piles but because of the weather conditions only one could be completed. On a day with good weather 4 piles are planned to be installed.

Also today the first audit was successfully completed.

After the drilling of the hole up to 27m the first part of the pile is inserted. The second part of the pile is welded on site to the first part to create a pile of the required 29m length. this image shows the welding of the two parts together.

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090513 site visit

Today travelled to Aomori for the weekly meeting with the contractor Kajima JV. For the 14th the first two piles are planned as a test and Nakata san and myself need to be present to inspect the process. Today only basic preparations are made such as the delivery of the piles on site. Both the machine for the cement milk (light green in the back) and the pile driver are on stand-by.