VAA was Structural Engineer of Record for a 75,000 square foot design/build expansion to an existing printing facility in Shakopee, MN. The expansion includes a heavily loaded high-rack storage system with automated retrieval and ten loading docks.
The original structure was constructed with precast exterior wall panels and the expansion was originally designed using matching precast panels. After design was complete, the precaster was unable to maintain the construction schedule and VAA quickly redesigned the walls using insulated tilt-up site cast wall panels at the request of the design-builder. VAA’s close cooperation and quick redesign allowed the contractor to achieve their aggressive construction schedule.
Through active coordination with the geotechnical engineer, VAA tailored the design of the slab-on-grade to support the high rack loading and enable the use of an automated retrieval system. To limit cracking and prevent differential movement at joints, the design team modified the subgrade, incorporated diamond dowels at the control joints and incorporated steel fibers in the slab.
