1840's Air Conditioning

This is a view of the main aisle looking towards the main altar, which is currently covered with plywood.  With the floor slabs removed you can now look under the sanctuary and see the arched air inlet that allowed air to flow under the aisles and enter the Cathedral through the floor vents.

On Solid Rock I Stand

Whenever they got the chance our ancestors used existing rock outcroppings as foundations.  The foundation seen here is the under the external stone wall of the Cathedral nearest the North Tower.  "On solid rock I stand, all other else is sinking sand."

Foundations

The technical committee has determined that extensive foundation works will have to take place.  Currently under consideration is the casting of an entire steel reinforced concrete floor complete with foundation beams.  This will currently present the single largest change to the scope of works.  This will seriously affect overall project costs and project scheduling.

Floor Slab Cost Recovery - Paving Stones

We are going to sell the pieces of the stone slabs that made up the Cathedral aisles as paving stones.

Slab Removal Complete

29 October 2010

Stone vs Steel Reinforced Concrete

The best illustration of the strength differences between stone floor slabs and steel reinforced concrete is in their demolition.  Some sections of the existing aisles are already steel reinforced concrete.  Probably from previous restoration efforts.  The video below shows the demolition of a small section of one of those concrete slabs.

As you cans see it takes several hits to loosen the concrete from in between the reinforcement and those pieces are rather small.  By contrast the video below shows the demolition of the next section of the aisle which is stone.

 

The Roof

Cathedral roof from centre section looking back towards the South Tower

13 August 2010

Same roof section looking the opposite way with the galvanised metal sheeting removed

18 October 2010

Same section with purlins and wood sheeting removed. The decking seen below the rafters is the interior ceiling. 18 October 2010

Same section with wood sheeting removed showing inner roof construction details.

18 October 2010