Part XII: Erie Community Schools is "Casting" Our Future to the Wind
by Mike Ryan
May 03, 2008
Here we go again!! Our new foundation site has been receiving much attention and work in the last two weeks. This foundation site is dramatically different then the previous foundation model. Site #1 was 42'x42'x8' block design. Approximately 550 yards of concrete went into forming that pad. New site #2 will be circular in design. It is a 45' circle which will form a "cone shape" in the middle of the pad. This "cone" area will hold the inbed ring and eventually the turbine. Within this design there will be less concrete (only 220 yards) but considerably more rebar which will form the foundation.
Progress at the turbine site is very evident now that we have the high water table issue behind us. A company out of Gary, Indiana was hired as a "de-watering agent." They placed almost forty (40) temporary pumps around the pad foundation area and have been pumping off ground water almost 24/7.
The foundation pour could take place in a little over a week. After the pour there will be a curing time of fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) days before any stacking of the turbine can take place. A informal estimate puts the stacking to start approximately the first or second week of June and then the commissioning of the turbine will start.
I will be placing some new pictures from the new site for your review. Please continue to check for status updates through this web site location.
