Chapter 9 Advanced Base Field Structures and Embarkation

CHAPTER 9 ADVANCED BASE FIELD STRUCTURES AND EMBARKATION The primary responsibility of the Seabees is the construction of advanced bases during the early phases of crises and other emergency situations. As Builders, it is our job to move swiftly to hostility areas and build temporary facilities and structures to support U.S. mili- tary operations. We are expected to react expediently. The most widely used structure for expediency and as a temporary facility is the preengineered building. This chapter covers the process involved with the erection of such buildings, as well as wood- frame tents, latrines, and the process of embarkation. PREENGINEERED BUILDINGS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completing this section, you should be able to explain the principles and procedures involved in the preparation and erection of preengineered metal buildings. The preengineered building (PEB) discussed here is a commercially designed structure, fabricated by civilian industry to conform to armed forces specifica- tions. A preengineered structure offers an advantage in that it is designed for erection in the shortest possible time. Each PEB is shipped as a complete building kit. All necessary materials and instructions for erection are included. Preengineered structures are available from various manufacturers. The typical PEB is a 40- by 100-foot structure. The 20- by 48-foot PEB is a smaller version of the 40- by 100-foot PEB using the same erection principles. Lay- out and erection of either size PEB is normally assigned to Builders. PREPLANNING A preplan of the erection procedures should be made based on a study of the working drawings or manufacturers’ instructions. Preplanning should in- clude the establishment of the most logical and expedi- tious construction sequence. Consideration should be given to the manpower, equipment, rigging, and tools required. Everything necessary for erection should then be procured. The advantages of constructing and using jigs and templates for assembling parts of similar trusses, frames, and so on, should also be evaluated. Although Builders must be familiar with the layout and erection procedures for both the 40- by 100-foot and the 20- by 48-foot PEBs, we will use the 20- by 48-foot rigid-frame, straight-walled PEB as the model for our discussion. This building is prefabricated and shipped in compact crates ready for erection. Each structure is shipped as a complete kit, including all materials and an instruction manual. It is extremely important to follow the manual; you can easily install a part incorrectly. The 20- by 48-foot rigid-frame building is designed for erection with basic hand tools and a minimum number of people. The instruction manual may suggest the PEB can be erected by seven persons. For military construction, though, two teams or work crews super- vised by an E-6 are recommended. The building is designed for erection on a floor system of piers, con- crete blocks, or a concrete slab. When completed, a single rigid-frame building is easy to expand for additional space. Buildings can be erected end to end, as in figure 9-1, or side by side “in multiple.” As this type of building uses only bolted connections, it can be disassembled easily, moved to a new location, and re-erected without waste or damage. Component Parts The component parts of a prefabricated structure are shipped knocked down (KD). A manufacturer’s instruction manual accompanies each shipment. The manual contains working drawings and detailed in- structions on how the parts should be assembled. Direc- tions vary with different types of structures, but there are certain basic erection procedures that should be followed in all cases. Working Drawings The working drawings show which items are not prefabricated or included in the shipment. These must be constructed in the field. Make plans in advance for the procurement of necessary materials for these items. Foundations, for example, are often designated “to be constructed in the field.” 9-1