Multiple Pumps Put Colts Stadium on Fast Track 2006

It could have been called a delay of game when the start date for the new Indianapolis Colts Stadium was pushed back four months. But the fans won’t be penalized because they will still be able to enjoy the $650 million stadium’s luxury amenities and retractable roof for the 2008 season thanks to an armada of concrete pumps on the project.

Hagerman Construction Corporation with offices in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis was awarded the foundation package and immediately put R.L. McCoy Concrete Pumping of Indianapolis to work. The two companies have collaborated on many projects. “Ninety-five percent of the concrete was pumped and we put every Schwing in our fleet on the project,” according to Gary Brown, superintendent for McCoy. The company’s close proximity to the site – a 15 minute drive -helped them provide exceptional service.

With 38,000 yards to be placed, McCoy matched the pour requirements to his Schwing pump fleet which includes 28, 32, 39, 42, 47 and 61-meter booms. “Heavy footings” 35 to 40 feet wide and six feet deep and 20-35 foot tall “heavy walls” required not that much reach but a lot of pumping power. “The 8,000 psi mix had a very low water to cement ratio and achieved its strength in six days, “ according to Brown, “It was a tough pump job done on a fast track schedule.”

Many of McCoy’s Schwing pumps are equipped with Big Rocks that offer a larger feed area to an extended valve for better filling efficiency with tough mixes.

Most of McCoy’s pumping was done between mid-November and May at which point the inside perimeter was taking shape and activity forced them to move their pumps off the field. “That’s where the 200-foot reach of our new 61 meter’s overhead roll and fold boom paid off. We were able to finish our foundation and wall pours with the pump on the exterior of the stadium and reach inside.”

Baker Concrete, headquartered in Monroe, Ohio is executing the concrete superstructure which will include nearly 90,000 yards of concrete. Longtime Baker sub, Ramcrete, inc., Hamilton, Ohio brought a new Schwing S47SX to the site. “We like the versatility, speed of set-up and maneuverability of this pump on stadium projects, “ states Ron Morgan, Ramcrete principal, “This is the same boom size and type that we used on the majority of Paul Brown Stadium and The Great American Ballpark, “ Paul Brown Stadium is the home of the Cinncinati Bengals and was built in 2004. The Great American Ballpark was completed in 2003 and is home to the Cincinnati Reds.

“We are familiar with the reliability and versatility of the 47-meter. It can place up and into the suites area and be positioned very close to the structure. It also achieves the volumes and pressures we need on this type of project,” said Neal Burnett, Indiana operations for Baker.

The S47SX utilizes Super X outriggers that are curved and telescope in and out next to the truck chassis allowing set-up in tight areas. The exclusive design allows operators to shoot the outriggers out and around job site obstacles that would impede swing-out stabilizers.

In order to reach the majority of the flatwork pours and columns required at the stadium project, the S47SX employs an Overhead Roll and Fold boom design that allows the first section to be angled backward and the first through third sections to be inserted deep into pour zones. “We just find that this boom works well in a lot of applications and especially unfolding and pouring in tight situations like a stadium crowded with lots of trades,” explained Morgan.

As the superstructure takes shape up high, column work on grade level is steadily progressing as multiple pumping companies work in concert. Midwest Concrete Pumping, Indianapolis is utilizing their Schwing KVM 39 – one of eleven pumps in their fleet that also includes an S47SX. “The columns are at grade level and 18 to 20-foot tall. We can set-up in one location and pour 6-8 at a time with our Schwing 39-meter,”according to Bobby Clark, head of the company’s pumping division. Midwest’s 39 is equipped with the relatively new Vector control system that communicates pumping information to the operator via LED readout. ”On these columns, everything is the same, so with this type of remote control box the operators can set the strokes per minute and the rpm exactly on each one and accurately gauge when the columns are topping out and adjust accordingly, “ Clark added. The company also has a concrete contracting division working in light commercial, retail and office building construction.

In an era of fiscal scrutiny and public/private financing the Colts will pay $100 million of the cost, with the rest coming from borrowing paid for by legalizing slot machines. Opening in 2008, the stadium will have a retractable roof and seating capacity of 63,000 that will be expandable to 70,000. The Colts signed a 30 year lease to keep the team in the city. Other than being the home of the Colts, the stadium will host the NCAA Basketball March Madness Tournaments and will be the permanent back up host for the Final Four Tournament. Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the stadium were held on September 20, 2005. In March 2006, Lucas Oil Products won the naming rights to the stadium. The deal is valued at $122 million over 20 years.