Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Seaman Gregory Gold hangs steek reenforcring bars inside a temporary form that will be...... read more read more
YOKOSUKA, Japan – Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five (NMCB 5) Detachment Yokosuka worked with Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Public Works Seabees to install steel reinforcements for a gazebo that will serve as a rest area with Wi-Fi access on Pier 9.
“It’s going to be a cement gazebo with a wood structure and asphalt shingled roof when we are finished building it,” said Builder 2nd Class Clinton Howell, one of NMCB 5 team leaders for the project. “The primary customer is USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) so; it will be their sailors and the sailors of the 7th Fleet who will get the most use out of the structure. They will have a place to get out of the weather that is off the ship, but not too far away. I think it’ll be a good place to relax if those sailors need a break.”
Architects from another Navy organization planned out the dimensions of the building and created blueprints for its construction. The local Seabees took those plans and started building.
With the location set and the foundation in place, the sailors worked on hanging large steel reinforcements or “rebar” inside the temporary frame they erected. The steel will give flexibility and durability to the rigid cement used to support the walls of the structure.
Each piece is measured and then shaped to fit the curve of the building’s arches. The sailors then take the pieces that now have about a 10-foot arch and carefully maneuver them into the structure.
“It can be kind of a delicate situation,” said Howell. “It can be a heavy piece and it needs to be in the right spot with all the right spacing. When we get it done, we will pour concrete into the form. When the concrete cures, the structure will still be allowed to sway a little instead of cracking. People don’t think of concrete swaying a lot, but that little bit of motion is really important. We want the structure to be able to withstand the natural stresses it might take. It will be able to stand the wind and because it is in Japan, it was designed to take shocks from earthquakes.”
The gazebo is only one story but already stands over seven feet high. When completed the shingled roof will standout amongst the haze-grey ships that surround it.
“It is gratifying to see something you built and you know your name is stamped on it,” said Chief Construction Electrician Rajon Martin. “I know these guys will feel something special when this project is completed and they see other Sailors using the building. For me, it’s the best part to know that people are enjoying something you and your team made for them.”
The Seabees expect to finish most of the construction by summer. Electricians and other workers will then install the lights and Wi-Fi hotspot in the gazebo. It has a completion date for later in the summer when it will be open for use.
| Date Taken: | 03.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2013 01:27 |
| Story ID: | 105066 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Seabees bring rest, relaxation, Wi-Fi spot to pier, by Joseph Schmitt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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