New Cooling Tower Mechanical/Structural Coordination
May 07, 2021
10
| Statement of Problem: In the design coordination of the cooling tower cells and the steel support platform, there was a disconnect in the 3D model between JEG and IBI with the actual elevation of the cells. Additionally, JEG changed the piping configuration to the basins and this impact was not discussed with the team on how the platform would need to change to maintain clearances. This lack of coordination required for CCC to have to rework some diagonal bracing as well as the entire walkway around the pipes going into the basins. Issues: 1) Elevation matchup 2) JEG revised piping design without coordinating the impact on the platform, to the team 3) IBI not having diagonal members 3D modeled in (clashed with CTWS/R piping) due to inadequate level of detail. Course of Action: Due to the discrepancy, CCC had to modify the south side of the platform walkway, add additional support steel, remove diagonal steel beams, and modify the grating around the piping. This was especially difficult since all of the steel was required to be galvanized, and the work had to be done quickly to maintain schedule. Lesson for Future Projects: The mechanical equipment and the supporting platform must be better coordinated, and the mechanical equipment piping must first be fully designed before a supporting structure can be finalized/ put into fabrication. Additionally all of the pertinent steel framing must be modeled in to avoid clashes that cannot be detected due to missing model data. |
