Pickens Class III Transfer Station Slab Replacement

Having handled 20 years of municipal solid waste and construction debris, the concrete floor slab at the base of the Pickens County Class III Transfer Station was deteriorating. The floor slab, because of the weight of heavy equipment loads and impact of frequent weather exposure, had begun to buckle and settle into the earth that had once supported it. Pickens County needed an engineering firm that could plan the slab’s demolition and reconstruction on a fast-paced schedule as the new construction would require the county to close its transfer station to the public. Leading an expert team of environmental, geotechnical, and structural engineers, Davis & Floyd evaluated the existing slab, planned its demolition, and designed a new structure that would better support the workload of the transfer station. Under the direction of Davis & Floyd’s efficient, skilled, and discerning team of structural engineers, the Pickens County Class III transfer station benefited from a sound, efficient design and prompt reopening.

Davis & Floyd developed an innovative procedure to determine the supportive structure of the 4,200 SF transfer station as structural drawings for the existing station were unavailable. To do this, our structural team installed temporary bracing, removed a section of deteriorated slab, and inspected the reinforcing and subgrade underneath. By revealing that the slab did not provide lateral support for the structure, Davis & Floyd saved time and cost on this project.

Because Pickens County was in a unique and time-sensitive position, our team crafted two design options for the county, explained the cost and time frame of each, and allowed the county to make the best decision pursuant to its own needs. Because of the deterioration to the slab’s subgrade, the county ultimately chose to demolish and replace the slab, the most durable solution to extend the service life of the transfer station.

The plan our team developed to address this solution included specifications for the extent of demolition, temporary support requirements, and modifications to the slab’s existing structure. Our team recommended design elements that would preserve the new slab, preventing similar deterioration in the future. These included slope dimensions and floor drains to accommodate rainfall, slab protection and durability measures against the heat of sunlight, and steel rebar and concrete for the long-term preservation of the station’s viability.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Planning
  • Structural Engineering
  • Surveying
  • Wastewater Services