Reinforcing Steel Arrives on Site and Installation BeginsDuring the week of July 20th, the steel being used to form the reinforcing diamonds on the inside of the mill, structure arrived on site. (Please see the May 16, 2007 Stabilization Update on this web site for a discussion of the reinforcement design.) The work is being accomplished by Metro Steel, Incorporated of Manassas, Virginia.
 Crane Used to Place Steel Tubes into the Interior Confines of the Mill Structure The material being used is high strength steel tubing. These tubes are fabricated in Baltimore and delivered to the mill site. Once at the site, precise measurements are made between the interior walls and the tubes are cut to fit the structure.
 Steel Reinforcement Tubes with Attachment Plates The tubes are then hoisted by crane into the interior and positioned in the diamond shape dictated by the reinforcement design. ("Diamond" and "X" shapes are among the strongest reinforcement designs for this type of building.) They are then fastened to plates via 1 ¼ inch dowel bolts which have been previously attached to the walls. In the areas where the attachment plates would have to be close to windows, the plate is attached to an additional long piece called a "header". The purpose of the header is to distribute the weight in an area of the stone wall that is inherently weaker due to the presence of window openings.
 Steel Tubes Being Attached to a Wall Plate
 Header, Plate and Tubes Near a Window Opening Area
 Chris Endicott from Metro Steel Displaying a Mounting Bolt The lower section of steel, at the 24 foot height level is being done first. The upper level, at 45 feet, will be accomplished after scaffolding is erected at a later date. Dennis Van Derlaske
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First posted Jul 18, 1007 Last update Jan 25, 2020 |