Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
(OP)
Can anyone suggest a design guide or criteria for the design of a slab on grade floor for a large walk-in freezer?
I've been searching ACI, PCA, and online with little luck. I found general principles but not a detailed design guide. For what it's worth, here are some principles that I have found so far:
Without a source of underslab heat, freezing temperatures will penetrate several feet into the soil, even with an insulated slab. The 32°F / 0°C isotherm must be kept within the underslab insulation, or within a granular layer not susceptible to frost heave. Typical underslab heat sources are electrical heating, piped-in outside air, or waste heat from the refrigeration equipment.
I have had no luck finding detailed design values or procedures for any of these things. I have seen freezers in the past detailed with no more than underslab insulation, but I can't find any information to support such a design. Any suggestions?
I've been searching ACI, PCA, and online with little luck. I found general principles but not a detailed design guide. For what it's worth, here are some principles that I have found so far:
Without a source of underslab heat, freezing temperatures will penetrate several feet into the soil, even with an insulated slab. The 32°F / 0°C isotherm must be kept within the underslab insulation, or within a granular layer not susceptible to frost heave. Typical underslab heat sources are electrical heating, piped-in outside air, or waste heat from the refrigeration equipment.
I have had no luck finding detailed design values or procedures for any of these things. I have seen freezers in the past detailed with no more than underslab insulation, but I can't find any information to support such a design. Any suggestions?






RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
A geotechincal engineer may also be of help.
I believe Dow Chemical has some published recommendations but I am not in the office right now and so don't have the Dow publications at my fingertips.
Sorry I cannot be of more help.
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
I'll check on ASCE 32 and Dow's website.
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
I believe, but am not certain, that if the refrigeration is running year round, the frost will penetrate very deep irresepctive of the insulation (the insulation just slows the "rate" of penetration) and heating below will be necessary. That seems to be the case when we design year-round hockey rinks. But again, check with Dow and/or others with experience in this, such as a refrigeratiion contractor who has installed other freezers, the geotechncal engineer, the mechanical engineer are the people we would check with. If you are in the Toronto area, check with Cimco Refrigeration.
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria
RE: Freezer Slab on Grade Design Guides/Criteria