Student Programs

Intern Program Helps Promote Local Manufacturing Industry

Seven students from Virginia Tech and UVA participated this summer in The Shockey Precast Group's intern program. One of the students, a rising senior in Virginia Tech's Civil Engineering program, returned for the fourth time as an SPG intern. Two of the seven students returned for a third time as SPG interns. The interns worked with Quality Control, Project Management, Estimating, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Sales and Marketing performing well-defined tasks essential to the progress of construction projects or to the enhanced productivity of Shockey’s manufacturing facility, field operations, or Engineering. By rotating through different departments within Shockey, the students learned about the personnel dynamics of a company and gained an understanding of how different departments interact and work together for the growth and continued advancement of the company as a whole. The Shockey Precast Group hopes exposure to the entire manufacturing and construction process will help the students better understand the manufacturing industry and prepare them for future roles in the local manufacturing community.

The Shockey Companies offer the following student programs:

• Internships for college students who are considering a career in the construction/engineering industry. These internships may lead to full-time employment after graduation.
• Training programs for high school and college students through formal agreements.
• Summer and holiday work for students at least 17 years old (no formal agreements required).
• The Shockey Companies also support class projects and serve as guest lecturers at local schools.
• To be employed by The Shockey Companies, students must be at least 17-years old and be in an approved school program.

For more information, contact:
Scott Landis
Director of Human Resources
slandis@shockeycompanies.com

Shockey Precast Answers Your Most Commonly Asked Questions about Structural and Architectural Precast

Q. What is the best location to induce panel joints?

A. Typically, panel joints should be induced at the centerline of columns (for vertical jointing) and at the centerline of the floor slab (for horizontal jointing) respectively. This will ensure that there is a structure to install bearing and lateral connections. Introducing multiple false joints (or reveals) in the panels is always a good decision. It will not increase costs and will allow the precaster the ability to panelize the project in the most cost efficient manner by possibly converting false joints into true joints and vice versa.

Q. What should an architect show on his drawings to denote desired connection locations?

A. The drawings should indicate approved locations that lateral and bearing locations may be installed. Nothing detailed regarding sizing of the connections needs to be performed (SPG will normally design this as part of the scope), but it is important to know up-front where it is acceptable to connect the precast panels. Granted, all projects differ, so the important thing to do is to contact an SPG representative to discuss the most practical and economic solution for the individual project.

Q. On a steel structure, would Shockey provide bracing to stabilize the bottom of the steel perimeter beams, when their connection is applying a load to the bottom of that beam?

A. Shockey will provide if clearly defined in our scope of work; however, the designers of the building should account for this type of bracing in the steel structure system since this type of bracing is to stabilize the structure to support the Architectural Cladding members.

Q. How can two completely different colors or finishes on a building be broken up to create a good, sharp transition look?

A. A natural break in the line work on the face of the panels should be used, such as a real joint, a false joint, or even a profile change on the facial surface. These types of changes in the face would give the best desired appearance.

Q. Is it possible to have a simple form finish architectural precast panel without any sandblast or acid wash finish?

A. Yes, it is possible, but the appearance of the panel will likely not be acceptable. Over time, the form finish will be exposed to the elements and the exterior "skin" of the precast panel will be very susceptible to streaking. Architectural precast panels should have the exposed surface finished with either a sandblast or acid wash process.

Q. Is it easier for a mason to apply brick to a precast building after the precast is erected or to have the brick cast into the precast panel?

A. Architectural precast can have a variety of brick veneers cast into the precast panels. Special brick shapes are available in a variety of colors and textures that can easily be detailed to meet the architectural design required. The cost of the casting is normally less expensive than the cost of mobilizing an additional subcontractor on site to do this brick work.

Q. How does CarbonCast provide a Value Engineering alternative to conventional construction?

A. CarbonCast requires less concrete and considerably reduces total structure weight. It results in thinner panels, which increases rentable floor area for any given footprint. CarbonCast also results in lighter foundations and reduced foundation costs. It increases available building sites (increased land usage may reduce land cost), and decreases fuel costs in manufacturing and delivery (cement, aggregates, concrete, and precast). CarbonCast eliminates corrosion-induced cracking and associated maintenance, and significantly reduces micro cracking and associated maintenance. It also provides significant LEED benefits.