In September, Crofton began foundation rehabilitations on Structure 122, a transmission tower located on the southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. The project presents challenges that are unique for concrete foundation rehabilitation, but not foreign to Crofton rehabilitation crews.  Most of the work area is below Mean High Water and extensive matting was required to gain access directly to the foundations.  Project specifications require the extension of each cap from the current elevation, down to a minimum of 3’ below the existing mudline.  This extension is a reinforced cast-in-place structure that adds approximately 15 yards of concrete to each foundation. In order to provide a dry workspace at each foundation, Crofton crews must first install sheet pile cofferdams around each foundation to allow for dewatering and excavations for access to install concrete forms and reinforcing steel in preparation for the placement of concrete.  Upon final curing and compressive strength testing, forms are removed, concrete surface preps are completed, and the area is backfilled. To date Crofton has completed one of the four foundations and is preparing the second foundation for extension. Thank you to the crews for their continued efforts to ensure this rehabilitation is a success!

The Samson recently lifted and set a 277-ton, 100-foot-long dredging ladder in preparation for its installation. After collaboration between Crofton’s and the client’s engineers, a four-point pick with 80-foot long slings was determined to be the optimal rigging, with ladder having to be placed 3.5 degrees out of level. Thank you to the Samson crew for their execution of a safe lift!

Crofton Diving was contacted to perform inspection and repairs inside a cooling tank at Bear Garden Power Station. The cooling tank requires algaecide to keep clean, which meant the divers would need to be in Hazmat gear. The divers discovered that a portion of the 24” PVC pipe was broken, and the pieces were laying on the bottom of the tank. With only eleven days to complete the repair, the team quickly developed a plan and mobilized equipment to remove the broken pieces, insert new materials, and repair the damaged piping. To remove the PVC, divers placed the broken pieces directly under the entrance of the tank using lift bags. A crane lowered its rigging into the tank and divers would attach the PVC pieces to be lifted out. New pipe materials were inserted the same way; attached to the rigging, lowered into the entrance of the tank, and set on the bottom to be air bag lifted into position. Divers utilized an in-line rotary pipe cutter to remove the remaining broken areas of the existing PVC to make for a clean installation of the new piping. The new sections of pipe were cut to fit and attached to the existing piping. Thank you to the dive crew for their commitment to the success of this repair. Head to the last page of the newsletter to find out what Edward Phillips of Dominion Energy had to say about the finished product!