Client:

One of the largest diversified corporations in the world, with businesses in insurance, energy, hospitality, and packaging industries. Additionally, they are traded on the NYSE over 35 years. The customer has 15 offshore drilling rigs, over 13,000 miles of gas pipelines, over 400 miles of NGL pipelines, and underground gas storage capacity of over 200 billion ft3.

Overview:

From a previous successful project, Bill Spitzer & Associates (BSA) was asked to administer choices for the contractor to be successful in pumping epoxy. Two 6,000 hp compressor packages were required to utilize the engineered pumpable epoxy grout to ease constructability, empower schedule flexibility, maximize effective bearing area, and produce advantageous efficiency. Chockfast® Red HF decreased the total grouting project time (about 50%) and lowered expenses associated with labor and materials (1 mortar mixer versus 4).

Location: Petal, MS
Date: March 2020
Product: Chockfast® Red HF
Size: 100 units or 251 ft³
Skid Dimension: 186” x 378”
Crew Size: 10 installers
Install Time 6 Hours
Low Ambient: 57°F
High Ambient: 79°F
Max Wind Speed: 67 mph
Avg Dew Point: 59°F

Challenges:

Managing project scheduling targets and goals
Enhancing constructability
Evaluating project parameters and difficulties
Prohibiting overrun costs
Acclimating to the specific site variables and conditions
Consulting in the field

Action Steps:

Analyzed blueprints
Investigated formwork
Reviewed facility constraints
Recalculated grout supply
Organized pre-grout meeting
Supervised grout pumping
Adapted to cooler climates
Taught finishing techniques
Oversaw proper sampling procedures

Cold Weather Grouting:

Although Bill Spitzer & Associates (BSA) operates in warmer climates, BSA has extensive field knowledge to adapt to many circumstances. For this colder field environment, BSA pre-conditioned the materials 48 hours, pre-conditioned the working environment 12 hours, and post-conditioned the compressor packages 48 hours. This aided a high effective bearing area (EBA) of 99%, maintained flow rates to meet schedules, and provided predictable installing attributes. Moreover, the expansion joint spacing was reduce to eliminate the concerns of thermal shocking or cracking. Temperatures should be 65°F - 95°F. Since it was difficult to have hot water for grout clean up, IXT-59 was the preferred solution to adequately clean tools and equipment.

Solutions:

Bill Spitzer & Associates (BSA) sold the compressor packager Chockfast® Black previously and later Chockfast® Red HF at the jobsite to provide a monolithic structure between the mechanical and civil engineering practices. Moreover, Chockfast® Black is an example of how BSA is involved at many supply chain stages to advise clients of reliability applications with grout. The uniquely specialized concepts of epoxy grouting can be simplified with BSA differentiated expertise. Also, BSA fosters engineers, owners, and contractors to become more profitable, timely, and productive. BSA operates a client first mindset.