operations to fully automatic. An example of the latter is the ABC 
Count-Way System: This is a fully transistorized digital system of 
solid state design, which uses computer logic and a photo-electric 
scale reader. Logic blocks are grouped on cards for control function, 
and field maintenance is reduced to plugging in replacement cards. 
There are no relays or other moving parts in the logic circuitry, except 
for the switches and push buttons. Functioning of this system is based 
on pulse-generating unit which derives an illuminated sensor arm on 
face of scales dial. Number of pulses generated is determined by pre- 
set digital dials, punched tape or cards, or other input means. A floor- 
mounted console houses the electronic equipment. 
6. Stationary mixers for the central mixing plant. 
7. Collecting hopper and chute for truck - mixer operations. 
8. Two-way chute and flop-gate arrangement for combination 
central-mixing and transit-mixing plants. 
9. Boiler and accessories for cold-weather operation for 
heating water, thawing aggregates and heating the operating platform 
enclosure. 
10. Recording instruments, temperature, relative humidity, 
weights of ingredients for each batch, etc. 
ll. Office and quality control testing facilities. Most, if 
not all, of the above items are detailed in the Handbook and Purchasing 
Guide, (Rick, 1969) and Concrete Industries Yearbook, (Peck, 1969). 
An example of a specialized concrete products plant is the Bay- 
shore Concrete Products Corporation plant at Cape Charles, Virginia, in 
which Raymond Concrete Pile Company has a partial ownership. This plant 
represents an investment of approximately $3,500,000. It is situated 
on 50 arces of land. A single shift operation can produce about 
$5,000,000 worth of miscellaneous concrete products per year. On a 40- 
hour week basis, this plant can produce about 3,000 lineal feet of 
cylinder piles per week in size up to 60 inches outside diameter. It 
can also handle precast concrete units up to 300 tons each. 
Cost of Concrete in Place. The San Francisco Bay Tube project 
(Western Construction, 1967), known as BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), 
might well be used as.9n example of current history of a large concrete 
construction project — and as a means for estimating the cost of a 
Mobile Ocean Basing System. For a total contract price of $89,000,000, 
the building, launching, outfitting, sinking and joining of twin tube 
sections for a length of 3.6 miles were accomplished. Included were: 
-' Additional information on BART construction is contained in Part 2 
of this report. 
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