The 10th Anniversary of a Remarkable Feat: The World's Largest Continuous Concrete Pour in 2014
A decade later, the world record achievement at Wilshire Grand Center stands as a testament to the joint effort of Jonel and CalPortland's team.
The year 2024 marks the milestone 10th anniversary of an awe-inspiring engineering marvel that took place in 2014. It was a momentous occasion when the world witnessed the record-breaking endeavor setting a Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Continuous Concrete Pour. This extraordinary feat took place during the foundation laying for the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles, California.
Spanning over a colossal duration of 18 straight hours, the significance of this event cannot be overstated. The sheer magnitude of the accomplishment became evident as each concrete load, totaling an astounding 2,120 deliveries, was flawlessly executed without a single rejection. It was an exceptionally rigorous task that demanded precision and efficiency.
At the heart of this momentous achievement stood Jonel, a trusted name synonymous with innovation and excellence. The Jonel systems played a pivotal role in this ground-breaking undertaking, ensuring that every load was accurately batched within tolerance and promptly delivered. This was made possible by the fast and reliable batching control systems that have been a testament to Jonel's commitment to quality over the years.
The foundation laying process called for an astounding 21,200 cubic yards of cement (approximately 16,208.6 cubic meters). Over the course of the eventful 18 hours, a total of 84,000,000 pounds of concrete seamlessly flowed through the site.
The synchronized efforts of 208 individual concrete trucks from eight production centers and the utilization of nineteen separate pumps, operating through thirteen hoses, created a choreographed spectacle reminiscent of a ballet. It was a captivating display as each truck maneuvered in and out all night, fulfilling their vital roles in ensuring the success of this monumental record-breaking achievement.
CalPortland, Glendora CA, was the producer awarded this prestigious project and was able to deliver 2,120 loads of concrete to the job site in a busy downtown area in less than 18 hours. The pour began on Saturday, February 15th and was completed around 11:30 am on Sunday 16th of 2014.
“We are very proud to be the supplier of computerized batch systems for this project,” said Mike Lawson, president of Jonel. “We have been providing CalPortland control systems since the late 60’s and consider it an honor to be part of this historic event.”
“When you have a job of this magnitude, every load has to be batched within tolerance and as quickly as possible”
Jonel assisted CalPortland / Catalina Pacific in updating each of its plants with leading edge batch technology to maintain the stringent requirements of the job. “When you have a job of this magnitude, every load has to be batched within tolerance and as quickly as possible” says Steve Lode, Senior Operations Manager for CalPortland. “The Jonel systems that we use at our production facilities are fast, accurate and have always been something we can count on over the years. This job was no different.”
Jonel setup its Archer batch software specifically at the LAX Plant. The LAX plant produced 19 percent of the total concrete batched by CalPortland / Catalina Pacific, without a single batching issue. CalPortland utilized eight of its Los Angeles area batch plants from 5 different locations to service the project. The entire project was serviced by a total of 11 batch plants at eight batching locations, each plant using Jonel batch controls.
The assistance CalPortland received from another local Southern California supplier was necessary to reduce the amount of trucking required and to ensure production demands would not be compromised in the unlikely event of an unexpected plant breakdown. Jonel provided control systems for these plants as well. “It was a real team effort on behalf of everyone involved”, says Lode. “It was great to see that two local suppliers could work together to complete this historic event. Our industry needs the positive accolades that this project provides on a local and a national level.”
The record-breaking pour not only captivated the attention of the construction world but also garnered international recognition. The Guinness World Records designated this unparalleled accomplishment as an official world record. Michael Empric, the Guinness World Records' official adjudicator present at the scene, described it as a flawless performance akin to a well-executed ballet.
The ambitious $1 billion project was a testament to the dedication and vision of the Korean Hanjin Group, renowned for its ownership of Korean Air Lines. With its completion, the Wilshire Grand Center proudly joined the league of architectural marvels, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving skyline of Los Angeles.
For the dedicated team at Jonel, the World's Largest Continuous Concrete Pour in 2014 remains a crowning achievement. As we celebrate the remarkable 10th anniversary of this extraordinary event, it is worth noting that this extraordinary achievement, made possible by the unwavering commitment of all involved, serves as a testament to the remarkable possibilities that can be realized through innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Source: https://www.jonel.com/downloads/Jonel_Worlds_Largest_Pour.pdf, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/2/la-construction-workers-break-record-for-largest-concrete-pour-for-new-wilshire-grand-building-video-55376 https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/la-workers-break-record-for-largest-concrete-pour/