How Should Your Concrete floor and Sump Be Different?

Standard Structural and Paving Design Standards

Historically, the design of environmental containment structures has either been ignored or has been provided by civil/structural engineers specializing in site development. These engineers are trained in the use and application of standard structural and paving design standards and codes. These standards permit a limited amount of cracking in concrete. In fact, these codes are designed to provide "under-reinforced" structures in which the concrete fails in tension prior to the failure of the steel reinforcement. This type of designed failure mechanism is intentionally provided to prevent a catastrophic failure of occupied structures.

However, in containment structures, the amount of cracking permitted in standard structures or pavements may constitute a significant containment failure. As a result, alternative concrete design and construction standards which have been developed specifically for environmental concrete structures. These alternative standards are not included in typical engineering design curricula and, therefore, are widely unknown by most site design engineers.

Highly Qualified Engineers

The principal engineers of Wilson are uniquely qualified to provide containment design engineering. These engineers have over 10 years of experience in:

• Industrial and petrochemical site development;
  
• Containment facility design;
  
• Geotechnical and structural design;
  
• Forensic investigations for failed containment structures;
  
• Wastewater and storm water collection, conveyance and treatment;
  
• Wastewater treatment plant design and operations; and
  
• Contaminated soil and sludge delineation, treatment and disposal.

Wilson's Proven Strategy

A common misconception is that large, monolithic concrete pours which minimize the number of construction joints will result in improved containment integrity. In fact, studies of these large, monolithic pours have demonstrated a reduced containment integrity due to shrinkage cracking during the concrete cure and differential settlement after the concrete has cured.

For environmental containment structures, Wilson utilizes a strategy of:

• Improved construction, contraction and expansion joints designed to minimize shrinkage cracking, improve flexure response (where required), and simplify construction;
  
• Improved reinforcement designs per ACI 350R (Environmental Concrete Requirements); and
  
• Improved joint sealant designs which incorporate the latest water stops and sealants designed to provide watertight joints while simplifying construction procedures.

The cost of environmental containment concrete does not need to be exorbitant and specialized contractors do not have to be mobilized. Wilson will combine appropriate design strategies, standard construction methods and construction oversight to provide an effective, lasting solution to your facility's containment needs at a reasonable price.