Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Neil W. McCabe | For more than six years, the Al-Yamama Engineering Company has been making T-walls at...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE, Iraq — For the American Soldier in Iraq, T-walls are a constant sight. These vertical slabs of interlocking concrete line the perimeter of Army installations and are the inner linings of work, dining and rest areas.
For more than six years, the Al-Yamama Engineering Company has been making T-walls at its concrete facility at Contingency Operating Base Basra, said Aqeel Fathial, a site engineer for the firm. Over this period, it has averaged roughly 2,000 T-wall segments annually.
Segments fabricated on COB Basra are molded in two sizes, the standard 3.6 meter height and 4-meter, he said. In addition to these two items, the company also makes Texas barriers, which are smaller than the T-walls, a nearly square concrete wall, and Jersey barriers, the familiar short long walls used for traffic control.
Fathial said the recipe for the concrete is very simple: gravel and sand mixed with cement.
The sand and gravel mixing is controlled at a digital control board in a booth at the foot of the 30-foot high sand and gravel bins, said Shahab Ghayath, concrete mixing station supervisor.
Ghayath said there are two important steps he takes to ensure a high-quality concrete that is properly bonded with the cement. The first step is to hose down the gravel in order to wash out the salt. The second step is to shade the sand and gravel where it is stored. "If the gravel or sand is too hot it is bad for the concrete."
The firm made T-walls for the British, prior to American forces assuming operation of the base. This brought a few changes to production. Though, none were dramatic, such as changing the use of measurement from meters to feet.
Much effort goes into making the protective barriers come out right.
T-walls remain on constant vigil throughout Iraq. They are a constant reminder of threats coalition forces face and stand as silent protectors.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2009 02:22 |
| Story ID: | 36741 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 204 |
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