The processes before building materials arrive at the construction site are important in a project. Helgeland Betong has routines and systems that ensure a precise and orderly collaboration. The goal is clear communication, measurability, flexibility and simple solutions. On this page, we take you from drawing to assembly, and show how we ensure a successful collaboration.
Clarification
After the order has been received, a design basis is clarified. Drawings from an architect are not enough, because information such as earth pressure, lift type and other fields must be calculated. Clarifications are made at a joint meeting. Here we agree on dates, progress and further cooperation.
At the meeting, a common vision for the project is created. Helgeland Betong uses this as a starting point for an efficient information flow further on in the project.
Thorough planning and overview
After a clarification meeting, Helgeland Betong’s designer makes a model of the building. The model divides the building into elements, and is transferred to the 3D program, Impact . The program is specially adapted to prefabricated concrete elements.
Reports on materials, concrete elements and reinforcement are plotted into the program. Impact gives us an overview of all stages of the construction project, and ensures our time-schedule and exact material use from design to assembly. The program will also point out any errors and counter any misunderstandings.
(Preparation of outline drawings takes about 3 weeks.)
Assembly plan, production plan and partners
The next step is to find partners. Helgeland Betong has a strong network throughout northern Norway. We find partners who fit the project in terms of price, expertise, experience and location. Other concrete plants can also be leased, to avoid delays due to lack of capacity. This is how we can insure delivery to all projects, regardless of size.
Project manager for ECOnordland, Rune-Andre Eliseussen.
Example: Petter Engens gate
For the turnkey contractor, ECOnordland, we’ve delivered concrete elements for housing in Petter Engens gate in Bodø. Together with the fitter on the project, Ovik, we prepared an assembly plan in Impact. Here we defined the order of further progress, so that production and delivery were adapted to demand on the construction site. Put another way: the concrete elements arrived where they were supposed to be installed at the right time.
Visualization also made it easier for the project manager. He could know exactly what the progress would look like. This made it easy to assess where the crane should be placed, where elements and equipment should be stored, and how it could be arranged for transport and general maneuvering.
(Preparation of assembly and production plan takes about 2 weeks.)
Preparation and purchasing for production
When the assembly and production plan is ready, the drawings are sent back to the designer. This is because the plans define production and delivery order. Each individual element must be planned in relation to the building to which it belongs.
After approximately 3 weeks, the production receives 3D and 2D drawings with technical information. The visualization makes it easy to understand the installation in relation to the foundation and other concrete elements. Helgeland Betong then orders the necessary goods for production. We have standard purchased goods in stock, but cast-in goods, welding plates, reinforcement and cassettes often have to be specially ordered. We order many short-haul items, which helps us to deliver class A miljøbetong med ferdig miljøregnskap.
Helgeland Betong has incorporated our production in the Impact program. Planned elements are distributed at various stations and forming equipment in the production hall. If something unexpected happens, which stops all or part of the project, everything is moved automatically. Production, transport and recipient become aware of changes, and everything can be followed directly in Impact by all parties.
(Procuring goods is estimated to about 1 week.)
From factory to construction site
Production can now start. Trained professionals ensure quality and precision in all work done. The surfaces are processed and the products are prepared for loading.
How the loads are organized is also calculated in Impact. This is affected by the assembly order, storage space and transport capacity. Helgeland Betong ensures that the elements can be picked up by the carrier on their own, at all hours of the day.
The print on the elements is printed from Impact. These are unique codes that are scanned with a mobile phone at various stages, so that the process is continuously updated. Quite similar to how you can track packages you have ordered online. The codes are scanned when they are lifted out of the mold, placed in stock, retrieved, delivered and assembled. The Impact model, which players can easily follow with the Impact app , is continuously updated with color codes.
(Helgeland Betong estimates approximately 3 weeks between production and assembly start.)
Assembly start
As in production, incidents on the construction site will also be able to affect progress. With a simple dialogue, we update the assembly plan in Impact, ensuring the work goes smoothly. For instance, if something needs to be postponed, all parties involved are made aware, and production and transport can adapt.
On the Petter Engen project, Ovik was not only a supplier, but also responsible for assembly. The contractor ensured tidiness and control on the construction site, which saved time for everyone on the construction site. If everything goes according to plan, an assembly team will install approx. 7-8 concrete elements a day.
Construction site tips:
- The site must be roadworthy and withstand the load of heavy transport and storage.
- The crane must have a strategic parking space.
- Concrete elements must have a fixed and secure discharge space.
- The use of pegs, cassettes or bucks for perforated decks must be planned.
Rune-André Eliséussen, project manager for ECOnordland describes the collaboration with Helgeland Betong as “superb”. He emphasizes the importance of all actors involved in collaborative projects making things easy for each other and communicating well. For instance, he can trust that Helgeland Betong and Ovik communicates, so that the elements arrive at the right time and in the right order. If everything continues to go according to plan, there will be two new apartments, with a total of 30 housing units, ready in Petter Engens gate in June 2021.
Complete delivery plan
A construction project can be both overestimated and underestimated. In some ways, the work is simple, but it requires competent professionals, good routines and communication flow. These are important reasons why Helgeland Betong chooses to focus on quality and development of the entire service process. That way, we can be a precise and reliable player, which shows flexibility in cooperation.
We hope you’ve gained some insight into how you can work with us. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions or want to talk about your project.
Click here to see examples of buildings we’ve delivered concrete to.
Questions? Have a non-committal chat with us.
