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fcoring, outside-wall panels, inside walls, partitions, stairs, and smoke and ventilation chinmeys.
Services for the production of energy are placed adjacent to these production halls. The boiler-room comprises one or a number of fuel- oil boilers with automatic regulation, from which the heat-insulated pipes for the distribution of steam pass towards the different moulds. The concrete must be heated to a tem- perature of approximately 80 degrees Centigrade. Consumption of steam to be provided for is of the order of 500 kgs. per cubic metre of concrete.
Compressed air is employed for the vibration and floating of the concrete and sanding of the concrete for the outside-wall facings. The compressed air is obtained from fixed electric compressors and is distribut- ed to the units in which it is used at the factory at a pressure of 7 kilo- grams. The power of the compressor or compressors to be installed must be of the order of 1 hp per cubic metre of concrete manufactured per day.
Electric energy is employed for the supply of the concrete-manufacturing station, the compressed air power station, travelling cranes, etc. It is usually supplied from the mains and only requires the construction of a suitable transformer in the factory. The consumption to be expected is of the order of 30 to 40 kilowatt- hours per cubic metre of concrete made.
The moulds are actuated by hydraulic jacks fed by oil compres- sors at a pressure of 180 kilograms per square cm.
Also adjacent to the production halls are an automatic concrete mix- ing plant and an ironwork shop.
(b) Machines
The various machines are designed in such a manner as to permit the construction of elements of different dimensions by means of a slight re- arrangement.
Flooring machines for example comprise a base-plate fixed by an- chorage on a foundation; a caisson table adapted to pivot through 90°; four cheeks (an upper rocking cheek,
a bottom sliding cheek, a lateral sliding cheek, a lateral rocking cheek); a rocking heating cover. nine hydraulic jacks with valves and their piping: a device for the automatic control of the jacks with electro- valve; and an installation for the supply of steam with thermostatic regulators, filter and piping.
These machines serve for the manufacture of the panels, either on the right side (ceiling on the bottom side of the mould), or on the reverse side (floor on the bottom side of the mould). This latter solution is em- ployed when the flooring surfaces are incorporated with the manufac- turing process (tiling, granite, wooden parquet).
Removal from the mould can be effected either flat or in the vertical position immediately after process- ing, setting, then hardening of the concrete. The movements of the mould and the cheeks follow in automatic succession by means of a single push-button control.
Production capacity of a flooring machine is four to six panels per day.
(c) Methods of Application
The firm is able to operate under different forms of collaboration.
They already act as consulting engineers in their relationship with foreign firms. They draw up the building plans, the living unit plans and the detailed plans of execution. This service can be more or less substantial according to the nature of their activity, which can range from the preparation of a general plan (mass production plan, road plans, building plans), up to the sole
Below:
Outside wall machine
Transport convoy of front panels
preparation of the detailed execution drawings,
They also draw up plans of machines and plans of factories. They pass orders of equipment to local suppliers or, failing this, to suppliers from abroad. They also organize the starting-up of a factory and building sites.
As suppliers of equipment they can provide the machines which manufacture the elements.
Erection
The infrastructure (foundations and basements) of the buildings is usually constructed according to traditional methods.
The entire superstructure must be erected as simply and as rapidly as a child's toy by making use of only a single equipment unit,
unit, namely a powerful crane.
Elements are taken directly from the special road trailers and placed without trial of any kind in their final and permanent emplacement. When in their final position. the shapes of these various elements are provided with corresponding hollow portions and projecting portions which make it possible for the elements to fit into each other. De- compression spaces are arranged to serve as an erection guide.
The level setting is automatic. Vertical elements, which have an exact height, rest directly upon each other, the supporting position being ensured, if necessary, by protruding reference points formed in the element.
When in position, these elements are held in place by means of very
Far East Architect & Builder May, 1965