WestCon Tribune

May 1998

Review APRIL MEETING: "From a Different Perspective"

A Forum for Case Study on the Pacific Park Plaza Overcladding Repair Presented by Gary Gray, Geoff Woods, Harv Abernathey and Dick Hopkins

The idea of a forum didn't quite pan-out as the speakers from the month of March were invited but were not able to attend. It seems that it is worthwhile to repeat the emphasis on what we are trying to do with our monthly speakers. Within our group we have proponents, opponents and mostly those who wish to gain from the information that is available from both sides of a case. We do not want, nor shall we accept, a presentation that is antagonistic, confrontational or in any way disrespectful of opposing expertise.

When we invite those who we know, or believe, have different or opposing views, we invite them more out of a courtesy than any obligation for them to speak out.

The format of the April meeting varied. Our normal presentation was expected to be a shorter presentation time and a discussion following but we went into overtime with the defense team scoring uncontested points.

Dick Hopkins thoroughly examined and evaluated the exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) for the Pacific Park Plaza building on the defense team. He gave us the evaluation of his findings and then used a similar building, on the East Coast in comparison. The building on the East Coast had a more severe weather exposure that was repaired integrally as opposed to an overcladding. Mr. Hopkins explained the differences and compared the savings in the cost of the integral repair to that of the overcladding.

The cost of repair to the East Coast building was approximately $900,000 compared to the $18 million dollar overcladdingof Pacific Park Plaza. This was difficult to believe and questioned by the audience. Mr. Hopkins convincingly argued his point and stressed that the importance of obtaining quality contractors with a superior track record and proven histories of repair work helped keep the price at a reasonable rate and even included an extended guarantee of workmanship.

Geoff Woods gave a number of examples of value engineering that were proven, by hindsight, to be of debatable value for the savings gained in the original construction. In fact, the savings were paled in comparisonto the costs of replacement (painted primer in lieu of galvanized coating as one example).

Gary Gray and Harv Abernathey presented their explanations of why the system failed. The argument was well made that the actual EIFS panels performed well. The failures seemed to stem from elsewhere in the system, notably the calking and sealant applications and further complications were created by the window-washing tracks.

To be equitable in our "airtime" discussion from the podium, we plan to get some positive output on value engineering for the May meeting. (See front-page article).

This month we again try to air misunderstandings with a presentation " inspired" from the April meeting. It seems certain remarks were taken despairingly in reference to value engineering. A number of our group are also members of SAVE ­ the Society of American Value Engineers. Art Zigas is one of those members and will set the stage by introducing Bob DeLiso, Vice ­ President of O'Brien Kreitzberg. Mr. DeLiso is in charge of O'Brien Kreitzberg's Northern California Construction Management Operations and manages staffing for projects and oversees the estimating and project controls staff. He serves as Principal-in-Charge of selected projects and leads the "OK" teams on special value engineering assignments. Mr. Deliso has twenty-two years of experience in construction management for water and wastewater projects, transportation projects, hospital and correctional facilities. He is particularly skilled in project scheduling and cost control and has developed and implemented project control systems for several major projects. He is also experienced in the mitigation, analysis and evaluation of claims.

Some of Mr. DeLiso's current and recent construction management projects include: East Bay Municipal Utilities District, USPS, Union Sanitary District Sewer and Microtunneling Projects for Newark and Fremont, Gilroy/Morgan Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion, Castro Street Improvements and Parking Garage in Mountain View, the Mountain View City Hall/ Community Theater Complex and the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station.

As Project Controls Manager or Advisor, Mr. DeLiso also helped with the development, implementation or provided oversight on the scheduling and cost control for major construction programs. Some of these projects include: JFK International Airport Redevelopment Program, the Sacramento County Jail Facility, the Alameda County Transportation Authority Transportation Improvement Program, the San Francisco Cable Car System Rehabilitation Program, the Moscone Convention Center, the San Jose Convention Center and the San Francisco Clean Water Program.

Mr. DeLiso is a Certified Value Specialist.

Seminars "Geotechnical Effects of El Nino" Tuesday, May 19th Wednesday, May 20th Thursday, May 21st

Due to the recent storms throughout the State of California, Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences Consultants is presenting a technical seminar on three different days to discuss the geotechnical effects of "El Nino". The seminar will provide an overview of the geotechnical concerns and design considerations associated with heavy rainfall. Topics will include:

¨ Development and repair of sinkholes. ¨ Causes, countermeasures and reconstruction of mudslides and landslides. ¨ Impacts and mitigation of flooding. ¨ The effect of water infiltration on soil expansion and settlement. ¨ Impacts and mitigation of moisture infiltration and sulfate attack. ¨ Engineering design considerations for construction in or near creeks, rivers and lakes. ¨ Case histories.

The seminar will be held in Ninyo and Moore's new office located at 66 Jack London Square, Suite 205, in Oakland. Lunch will be provided at 11:45 a.m. and the seminar will begin promptly at 12:00 and end at 1:00 p.m.

Seminar dates are Tuesday, May 19th, Wednesday May 20th, and Thursday May 21st.

There is no cost for this seminar, but reservations with your preferred date need to be called in to Cynthia at (510) 893-2551.