While I've seen buildings being constructed from my home, I've never actually been able to look down on the work site. It seems once the old building has been destroyed, dirty soil mixed with chunks of concrete are removed and fresh clay looking soil brought in. I'm sure the front end loaders just move the fresh soil from one place to another and then move it back again.
Meanwhile holes are drilled, full lengths of circular reinforcing steel inserted into the holes and then concrete is poured down the hole. Most interesting.
Here is the long drill.
.jpg)
The whole screw is now underground.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
On the opposite side of the barrel is the Australian flag. The other flag represents Piave, the concrete supplier based in Port Melbourne and has been around since 1993.
.jpg)
.jpg)
For some reason I've always confused the German and Aboriginal flags, when they are really aren't alike at all, although the three same colours are used. The first is the Aboriginal flag. During my skinhead/mohawk phase, I wore a military like jacket with a German flag patch. I now understand how that didn't send good signals. In my defence, I had no idea about the patch on my jacket. I hadn't noticed it until someone remarked about it.
.jpg)
.jpg)
On the barrel of the concrete mixer you can see the Aboriginal flag.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
I never understood why German military jackets were popular, but I remember seeing them here and there. Surely if one were trying to cast a far-right message they wouldn't use the West German flag...?
ReplyDeleteIs it different from the East German flag? Do they even have separate flags?
DeleteThat's true about the West German flag, Steve. I think gay men imitating such people was a sexual or perhaps more like being a drag performer, in costume.
DeleteRiver, East Germany would have certainly had its own flag, or the Soviet Union flag.
DeleteHow fascinating to watch the construction process from your window.
ReplyDeleteYou could warn future tenants of the new building about any dodgy shortcuts you witnessed.
Quite true, JayCee. Standards have improved to what they were five to ten years ago. They needed to.
DeleteInteresting flag selection on the cement trucks. I often wonder about the ostentatious display of flags - I like to think that we are less showy about it than some other countries but then there are strata of all society no doubt who see the overt displays as a signal, good or evil.
ReplyDeleteThe other trucks I've seen from the same company Jeanie, don't have the flags. Maybe it was the driver's choice and he has Aboriginal heritage.
DeleteWatching construction can be fascinating as you try to figure out what they are doing, Andrew.
ReplyDeletePat, I seldom work out what they are doing and why.
DeleteGoing deep with foundations is a good idea I've heard, it gives more stability to the building being constructed.
ReplyDeleteRiver, close to the beach I guess the soil would be sandy and the piles would need to be very deep.
DeleteDidn't know Aborigines had their own flag, though it makes sense that they would. I wonder if that construction company is owned by Aborigines.
ReplyDeleteThey do Kirk, and it is often flown with the Australian flag.
DeleteThey didn't have a flag until well after settlement.
DeleteAussiebel, I am sure they had no concept of a flag and its meaning.
DeleteYou may call me bel or belle, an invention I like, tho my name is Dixie.
DeleteBelle it is then. No Australian is called Dixie.
DeleteAt least the ground is stable for such a long screw to go down. With all this intense weather we have been having there are quite a lot of sink holes appearing.
ReplyDeleteThelma, if we get a lot of rain, our poorly built roads collapse.
DeleteInteresting to see a building being built from the beginning trouble is we don't get to see it often at all, if at all.
ReplyDeleteThe flags look good on the truck.
Margaret, no we don't see it, usually with hoardings erected what is happening.
DeleteWhat a wonderful vantage point you have. We truly don't appreciate the work that goes into construction.
ReplyDeleteJB, it is complex and takes experienced people to read plans and then construct.
DeleteI could watch that construction site every day.
ReplyDeleteTP, I regularly check but often nothing is happening. I can't see the whole site.
DeleteOften nothing is happening because it takes time for things to dry and set properly before the next stage can begin. For pilings that deep it would take as much as a week or more for any concrete to set and cure.
DeleteI remember when they were building the Henday ( a ring road with overpasses), the crews would spend all day using a massive machine that pounded the piles down all day long. Apparently screws are used in more residential areas, less noise and vibrations. I learned something new today:) And you got to watch a good, long screw. Dirty boy:)
ReplyDeletePixie, that may still happen. It happened across the road. I am happy to just watch the screw do what it does.
DeleteI'd be riveted to that. My dad had a term for it. He called it a "footpath superintendent". I believe it fits. 😊
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Riveted WWW! Well done. I like the title footpath superintendent.
DeletePlease, oh please, share photos of you from that era. :) Most of my fashion mistakes were only offensive to other people's eyes. lol Be well!
ReplyDeleteDarla, I am taking photos, so you will some along the way.
DeleteThe flags look alike in that they both look aggressive. The colours don't combine well.
ReplyDeleteNo, they don't work well together but that is how it is.
DeleteHow does a flag look aggressive? It's a patch with colours on it.
DeleteWhen I see the flag flying outside UWA with its beautiful peaceful grounds it does stand out with the colours clashing loudly. Occasionally you'll see a man using it as a headband, it actually makes the man look menacing. Perhaps I'm more sensitive to these things than you.
DeleteI too find the headbands a bit menacing but I am not describing how it can also be appealing in a certain way.
DeleteOh I so enjoy spying on a work site. Thanks for the little discourse about the flags. I enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteCloudia, the history behind flags can be very interesting and controversial.
DeleteReading about the aboriginal flag was interesting and led me off to do some reading. Our native Americans all belong to one of 11 Indian nations and they each have their own flag. I never really thought of it much, but it makes sense. Reservations are autonomous and not subject to the laws of the country or state that they lie in.
ReplyDeleteDebby, so the nations must have their own laws about crimes etc? Our Aborigines are permitted to perform some punishment acts that would see a non Aboriginal in court.
Delete