Flat concrete slab
Flat concrete slab
(OP)
My client is an industrial wood processor. Several years ago they constructed a 200' x 200' concrete slab (8" thick) to store pallets on. They have a large forklift that moves the pallets. The slab was built 3' below natural ground and has retaining walls on all 4 sides. On one side is a gentle concrete swale approx. 6" deep that moves water to a pipe in the side of one of the retaining walls. The water then moves off-site. The problem is that the slab is almost perfectly flat from one end to the other. When the water gets deep enough it spills into the swale. After a rain there are large puddles of water everywhere and they must work in the water until the sun evaporates it. They want to fix it without starting over. My initial thought was to put in another gentle swale perpendicular to the other swale. THis was shot down by the company because it will be too rough on the forklift driver. My next thought was to install an industrial type trench grate perpendicular to the swale. Any thoughts?





RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
If the pipe isn't deep enough, you need to find a point where the water will release (where does it go now after it gets into the pipe?) and run an underground pipe from the drain inlet to the point where it can either be released or connected into a larger drainage system.
It sounds like this site was not designed by a civil engineer.
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
The turning of a forklift exerts some horrible forces that will quickly destroy the thinner portions. Once this progressive effect happens, you have created the same dreaded step the any forklift operator hates, especially when trying to spear and align pallets.
Dick
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
You could rent a grinder, but if you didn't know what you were doing you could make a big mess. I would find a contractor that specialized in it. There should be one in the phone book, or ask someone that does flat work. We have it done all the time in parking lots and streets that aren't draining properly.
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
Grinders come in all sizes, some are small enough to push, other you drive.
Please write back and let us know how it turned.
RE: Flat concrete slab
RE: Flat concrete slab
This type of method is often used by highway contractors if they have an evenness spec.