Monday, 9/14/2015
A couple of days after a rain we'd hoped would never materialize (but it did), the pier drilling rig which had been scheduled well in advance to arrive early in the morning, did indeed arrive. The path through which the rig would have to descend and traverse seemed essentially dry. It appeared the drilling rig would still be able to gain access to the site and get the job done. Descend it did...unfortunately, sinking deeply into the clay where it became increasingly engulfed. The rig ultimately had to be extricated using a large track hoe.
Attempting to get drilling rig down into the work site
Drilling rig stuck nearly up to the axles...it dug in deeper before it was rescued.
Video showing only one portion of the process during which the track hoe removed the drilling rig from the work site.
Wednesday, 9/16/2015
Two days later, after much of the clay had been physically replaced by dryer clay and then allowed to dry further, the drilling rig returned and was successfully able to gain access to the area where the drilling of the piers was to be done. This time the drilling was successful. Rebar cages were introduced into each of the holes and, ultimately, each hole was filled to a designated level with concrete. Next Monday (21 September 2015) begins the work on the footers in the lower area, followed by foundation walls and then onward.
The drilling operation can be seen...but with an assessment along the way in which the operators determine by how far the auger has pierced through any given limestone shelf. In order to establish optimum stability, once through the limestone shelf the drilling was to continue another 5 to 6 feet.
Measuring the level of the concrete in relation to the defined grade.
The majority of the pier holes, after having rebar cages introduced into them, were filled with concrete only up to a specific level well below established grade, as can be seen above.
For the four minor piers which will only have to be able to support portions of the decks, they're brought above grade and can function properly,
A panorama shot of the work site as seen from the west, following the drilling and filling of the piers.
The overall work site as seen from the south.
