Updated: Tue, Aug 21, 2001
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Portland Square - 16th August 2001.
Building C:

The ground floor steel frame for Building C is starting to take shape.

After just two days work the steel frame for the ground floor of Building C is taking shape. The eastern and southern sides of the frame are almost complete while the north west corner is still to be erected.

The main shear frame for Block C - a single fabrication weighing some 18 tonnes.

Here's a better view of the main shear frame which is at the heart of Building C. The two inner 'legs' of this massive frame are mounted on bearings (see below for a close-up view).
The two main legs of the shear frame are mounted on bearings.

This photograph shows the base of one of the legs of the shear frame. You can see that the bottom of the leg is bolted onto the top half of the bearing assembly; the bottom half of the bearing is fixed to the concrete foundation.
More bearings ready for Buildings A and B.

Two more pairs of bearings, ready for Buildings A and B.
Holding-down bolts for columns - click here to see how this looks without the concrete.

The other steel columns in the building's frame are fixed to their foundations by bolts which have been precast into the foundations.
Steel shims are used to bring the column bases up to the correct level.

Steel shims are used to get the steel columns to the correct level - the gap will eventually be filled with a high strength grout.
Building B:

Foundations for the main shear frame in Building B.

Meanwhile, work is continuing on the foundations for Building B - this is one of two reinforced concrete bases which will carry the building's main shear frame. Delivery of the steel frame for Building B is due to start on Tuesday next week (21st August).
Formwork for a pad foundation.

Simple shuttering for pad foundations is made up on site.
Building A:

Rebar cage and formwork for foundation in south-west corner of Building A.

Building A is also progressing - here's the reinforcing cage and some of the formwork for a foundation in the south-west corner of the building. You can get some idea of the size of this element by looking at the ladder which has been left on top of the reinforcing cage.
New Squash Courts:

The new Squash Court building is also taking shape.

Work continues to forge ahead on Phase 1 of the new Squash Courts - this section of the building's frame went up in a matter of hours. The building will eventually house three squash courts on the first floor, with changing rooms and other facilities being located underneath on the ground floor.
Roof beams.

Here's a close-up view of some of the other roof beams.
Structural frame for the first court almost finished - two more courts to go.

A mobile crane was used to lift the steel sections into position; a hydraulic platform lift enabled the steel erectors to work safely.
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