TEMCO Ship Loading Rain Shield
- DESIGNED ONE-ACRE ROOF TO WITHSTAND HIGH WINDS, MODERATE SEISMIC LOADS, AND ICE
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN PROVIDED VERTICAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN SHIP CRANES AND LOADING BOOMS
- STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED ROOF TO AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL DISRUPTION
- COMPLETED ROOF INCLUDED TAPERED TRUSSES AND 150-FEET CANTILEVERS
VAA designed a one-acre roof to protect ship loading operations from the inclement weather conditions that occur along the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Heavy rain and coastal winds frequently disrupted ship loading operations at the client’s Port of Tacoma terminal, crippling its ability to service port users. VAA was brought in by the logistics company to remedy this challenge.
After meticulous analysis, VAA’s multi-disciplinary teams determined a cantilevered roof constructed over the ships would solve the issue without replacing existing infrastructure. The innovative, cost-effective roof design withstands high wind, moderate seismic loads, and heavy precipitation, including ice accumulation.
Disciplines
Port Facility Storage Expansion
- EXPANDED FACILITY CAPACITY TO STORE UP TO 13,360 METRIC TONS OF SOYMEAL PRODUCT
- DESIGNED TWO 70-FOOT CONCRETE SILOS WITHIN EXISTING SITE FOOTPRINT
- ORGANIZED PROJECT SCOPE INTO FOUR DESIGN-BUILD PHASES
VAA assisted in the initial grant application process to secure funding, then integrated all necessary material handling systems to support two new 70-foot concrete silos.
VAA increased the client’s site storage capacity by strategically utilizing limited available space. Two new 70-foot concrete silos were designed and positioned in a compact corner of the property, maximizing the amount of additional storage without requiring major site expansion. VAA developed a comprehensive specification book and detailed general arrangement drawings used to prequalify bidders and structure the project into four distinct Design-Build phases.
Grain Export Facility
- DESIGNED A 12M MTPY GRAIN EXPORT FACILITY ON PREVIOUSLY UNDEVELOPED SITE
- ENGINEERING INCLUDED ALL DISCIPLINES WITH VAA PRODUCING APPROXIMATELY 2,000 DRAWINGS
- INCLUDED TEN DISCIPLINES FOR A NEW 120,000 BPH BARGE RECEIVING AND 240,000 BPH SHIP LOADING DOCK
VAA designed a state-of-the-art Grain Export Facility capable of handling 12 million metric tons of grain per year, while providing onsite storage for 4.5 million bushels of grain.
VAA’s full-service engineering team oversaw the design of a grain export facility in the southern U.S. The project scope was wide, including site development and additional design of administrative buildings, and engaged several VAA engineering departments. The utmost consideration was given to optimizing grain logistics and grain dust control through the facility: receiving, weighing, shipping, storage, and cleaning systems were all implemented.
Efficient cross-functional communication between internal and external teams allowed VAA to think outside of the box about novel problems that arose during the project. The initially undeveloped site had limited capacity for new structures due to feeble soil. To solve this problem, VAA worked closely with geotechnical engineering partners and piling contractors to address unique soil-bearing capacity and settlement issues.