[Road of SKYSQUARE-040-] Multifunctional underground infrastructure construction record ~Line~

Jan 22
9 min read

[SKYSQUARE Road-040-] Multifunctional underground infrastructure construction record ~Line~

Hello

This is Nakajima from AZSTOKE Co., Ltd.

This is the 40th blog update, so we have completely revamped the design.

It is the purpose of this project.

Eliminate the hassle of setting up and build an underground infrastructure that aggregates sound, communications, and lighting

Power supply from SKYSQUARE prefab to pit.

Previously, an extension cable had to be run each time the tent was used, but because it crossed a vehicle route, setting it up and taking it down required a lot of effort every time.

To eliminate this inefficiency and further expand the field's functionality, the decision was made to build infrastructure using underground piping.

This construction project will not only involve power supply.

Lines for future street lighting installation, PoE (LAN cables) for surveillance cameras, and connection cables for microphone preamps, which are essential for recording locations.

We aim to aggregate all of this underground and create an environment where connectivity is instant.

We will create a foundation that will raise the level of convenience and quality at SKYSQUARE.

Click here for a list of previous SKYSQUARE Road articles

1. Careful route planning for digging 1.2m deep

2. The key to excavation: Deploying our own excavator

3. Excavation begins, revealing "carelessly buried objects"

4. 1.2m deep abyss. The foundation for burying safety and reliability is complete.

5. Unexpected accident: Cutting and recovery of culvert pipes

6. Laying the "nerves" of SKYSQUARE. Inserting FEP pipes

7. Two-stage backfilling. "Safety" packed into a depth of 60cm

8. Completion at sunset. The fruition of two days of infrastructure construction.

1. Careful route planning for digging 1.2m deep

The most important aspect of this underground piping construction work is selecting the route, i.e., "where to dig."

It's not enough to simply connect the shortest distance.

First, draw a line on the ground to see the actual route.

The most important thing to keep in mind here was to "keep it as straight as possible and make turns as gradual as possible."

When passing a wire through a buried pipe later, if the pipe is twisted and turned inside, there is a risk that friction will prevent the cable from passing through.

The lines are carefully drawn with an eye to future maintenance.

The line crosses the vehicle aisle and heads towards the fence on the soundproof wall side.

The biggest feature of this route is that it requires digging at least 1.2 meters. In areas where vehicles will pass over the pipes, they must be buried deep enough to prevent them from being crushed by the load.

And one more thing we must not forget is the "excavator's work space."

To dig a depth of 1.2m, simulations from the operator's perspective are essential, such as whether there is a place where the heavy machinery can stand stably and where to temporarily store the excavated soil.

As an electrician and heavy machinery operator.

Having determined the "correct route" that met all the conditions, we were finally ready to begin excavation.

2. The key to excavation: Deploying our own excavator

This excavator is the core of the actual work in this underground piping construction.

This aircraft has been used in every aspect of the development of SKYSQUARE.

Unlike previous tasks of leveling the ground and moving materials, this time the team will play the important role of "accurately digging to a depth of 1.2m."

A depth of 1.2m is an area that is not practical to reach by human power.

It is thanks to the power of this heavy machinery that we are able to move on to the next phase of infrastructure construction.

At the same time, delicate control is required to accurately trace the route that has been drawn.

Making the most of the familiar characteristics of the aircraft, we begin digging underground at SKYSQUARE.

3. Excavation begins, revealing "carelessly buried objects "

We double-check the route and then begin digging.

The excavator bucket carefully scoops up the soil and digs to the planned depth.

Problems arose as soon as drilling began.

As the work progressed, something unexpected emerged from the soil.

This is an old electrical pipe that is believed to have been used on this land in the past.

What surprised me when I saw this was that there was no "buried sign sheet" at all, which should have been there.

When burying electric wires, it is a rule of thumb to lay a sheet slightly above the pipes with the words "electric wires below" written on it to prevent excavation accidents in the future.

The absence of this means that the burial was carried out carelessly and without due consideration.

Fortunately, we knew in advance that this line was a "dead line" that was no longer in use, so no major problems occurred.

However, if the line had been live, there was a risk of a major accident the moment it was caught by heavy machinery.

Safety first.

We carefully removed the old, abandoned pipes and resolved to rebuild a reliable and safe infrastructure with our own hands.

4. 1.2m deep abyss. The foundation for burying safety and reliability is complete.

It took several hours of digging, carefully moving the bucket and removing obstacles.

Finally, excavation was completed along all planned routes.

What appeared before my eyes was a deep trench that seemed to have cut into the ground.

The depth is exactly 1.2m.

Looking down from the ground, you can feel the pressure of its depth.

Since infrastructure is being sunk in a place where this much earth pressure is present, half-hearted work is not permitted.

There is a clear reason why we deliberately focused on this depth this time.

This is because this is an area with high vehicle traffic .

If the pipes are buried shallowly, they are subjected to stress every time heavy machinery or vehicles weighing several tons pass through, which increases the risk of them breaking or being damaged after several years.

The responsibility of an electrician and the determination of an owner to continue using this place for a long time.

The answer is this depth of 1.2m.

5. Unexpected accident: Cutting and recovery of culvert pipes

Just as the excavation work was reaching its climax, a sharp sensation was felt and another piece of "living infrastructure" emerged from the earth.

This is an important "underground pipe" that is responsible for draining the land.

Although care was taken when designing the route, there was a slight overlap in an invisible location underground, and the bucket of the heavy machinery came into contact.

The cut was a perfect success. Troubles are inevitable in underground construction work, but the important thing here is not to "turn a blind eye" to them, but to fix them perfectly on the spot.

If this problem is left unattended, it could lead to loosening of the ground and poor drainage in the future, threatening the foundation of SKYSQUARE, which has been so painstakingly constructed.

Repair work will begin immediately.

Luckily, I had some spare culvert pipe and joints on hand.

We will clean up the cut area, reconnect the new pipe, and fully restore drainage function.

"If you break it, just fix it stronger than before."

Not only electrical wiring, but also plumbing infrastructure is an important element that supports this land.

Although this was an unexpected task, I feel that by overcoming each problem one by one, my understanding of this place is deepening.

Repairs complete. Now we can finally get back to the main task of laying the electrical pipes.

6. Laying the "nerves" of SKYSQUARE. Inserting FEP pipes

After repairing the culvert pipes, we can now move on to the main task of laying the electrical pipes.

The pipe used this time was FEP pipe for underground installation.

This special pipe has excellent pressure resistance and flexibility, protecting cables from harsh underground environments.

The thick, coiled FEP pipe is carefully lowered to the bottom of the 1.2m trench.

It's quite a challenge to handle on your own, but don't be impatient.

The tube is stretched carefully so as not to put undue strain on it.

A line crawling along the bottom of the ditch.

In the future, this will become the "nervous system" that will carry important signals and power connecting the studio and the outdoors. Seeing it rest at a depth of 1.2m gives a sense of security that is incomparable to when it was temporarily placed above ground.

And the important thing here is the "exit" process.

We buried two pipes, but later found that they were not enough, and intentionally left the ends of the pipes longer so that they were exposed above ground.

This is "play" to allow the pipe to sink when backfilled later, or to fine-tune the rising position.

It is also a margin based on the experience of an electrician to ensure smooth cable installation.

7. Two-stage backfilling. "Safety" packed into a depth of 60cm

Now that the FEP pipe has been laid, we are finally entering the backfilling process.

The key here is not to fill it all up at once.

First, to protect the pipes, carefully replace the soil and backfill to a depth of 60 cm.

Why is this intermediate depth of 60cm important?

That's because this is the "warning line." As I swore when I saw the previous sloppy buried structures, there is an absolutely essential process for this infrastructure that you build with your own hands.

A "buried sign sheet" will be laid at a height of 60 cm.

If someone other than you were to dig in this area in the future, this sheet would appear more than 30cm before reaching the pipes, warning you that there were power lines underneath.

Physically prevents accidents such as "digging something up without realizing it."

It is buried 1.2m deep and there is a sign sheet at this 60cm point.

This two-tiered safety measure is what professional infrastructure construction is all about.

Using a shovel, we carefully spread and compact the soil, steadily creating "invisible safety."

8. Completion at sunset. The fruition of two days of infrastructure construction.

Once the sign sheet is laid down, the soil is replaced and the area is repeatedly compacted, the large ditch gradually disappears.

Before I knew it, it was completely dark.

It's been two full days since work began, and the winter chill is getting more intense.

Finally, all the backfilling work is complete.

The earth, which was previously exposed to a depth of 1.2 meters, is now completely quiet, as if nothing had happened.

However, underneath that ground are sturdy FEP pipes that I laid with my own hands, and reliable "nerves" that will support the future of SKYSQUARE.

Over the course of two days, he discovered sloppy piping that had been left abandoned on his previous property, overcame the trouble of cutting an underground drainage pipe, and managed to stick to the depth of 1.2m that he had set for himself.

Qualified electricians, heavy machinery operation skills, and above all, a determination to "create the best possible recording environment" - all of these were poured into this construction project, marking a major step in the evolution of SKYSQUARE from a mere "outdoor plaza" to a genuine "Foley field."

The appearance above ground is the same as before, but the inside is a completely different thing.

This created an ironclad infrastructure foundation that would withstand any load, no matter how heavy the equipment, or how severe the storm.

From here on, we move on to the next phase, where we run cables through this pipe to connect the studio and the field.