Small Pump Station

Projects – Structural
Perspective

May 2011
AE Saskatoon
Background

• Associated Engineering serves a unique

clientele with a variety of needs.
• However we have a multitude of clients who
require very similar services for the design
and construction of small raw water pump
stations and sewage pump / lift stations.
• If efficiencies can be reached in the design of
these projects then we can better serve our
clients and our bottom line.
Background

• What kind of project does this

presentation apply to ?
• Small pump stations constructed out of
precast box or barrel sections.
• May or may not have a small building.

• May or may not contain a generator.

Design Items

• Location of Water Table

• Backfilling Requirements
• Type of Pump Station – with or without building
• Louvers and opening locations
• Type of Precast Sections
• Intermediate Platform
• Size of top slab
• Weeping tile system
 Location of Water Table

•Geotechnical or Historical
Information is required that
shows where the water level in
the soil is typically located
•Affects the design of the base
slab as well as the precast
manhole
•Affects the method of
construction – Precast bases
are preferred due to speed of
construction
•Limitations of Precast sizes and
loading can require cast-in-
place bases
Backfilling Requirements

•Depends on the local

soil conditions and
availability of backfill
material
•May be granular with or
without a weeping tile
system
•Affects the lateral
pressure applied to the
walls
Type of Pump Station

•Station with or without Building

Louvers and Openings

•Place louvers and

openings to avoid
interference with main
structural members
•Avoid locating louvers
too close to the ground
or else snow may block
louver
Type of Precast Sections

• Two types of Precast Manhole Sections:

• Circular manholes sections designed to ASTM
C478 for barrel sections
• Rectangular manhole sections designed to ASTM
C1433 for box sections
• All precast products used in pumping stations
should be fabricated by a manufacturing plant
certified by CSA for the appropriate category to
CSA Standard A251
• Ladder rungs can be cast into precast or post-
installed
Intermediate Platform

• Platform will be framed using either Aluminum or

FRP components depending on owner’s
preference (INAC uses Alumimum)
• Platform including grating and structural shapes
that are fastened to precast section
• Isolation coating is required for aluminum
components in contact with steel
• Co-ordinate opening locations with structural
members and required clearances
Size of Top Slab

•Size of top slab may

vary depending on
operational
requirements
•Typically have
perimeter edge beam for
wall support and
concrete curbs
Weeping Tile System

• A Weeping Tile system is used to prevent water

from building up against the below grade walls
• Consists of a perforated PVC pipe that is
wrapped in filter cloth and drains to the storm
system
• Only viable in locations with lower groundwater
table
Construction Items
• Mud slab vs. Granular Base
• Hydrostatic Testing
• Dampproofing
• Insulation
• Joints between Precast Sections
• Structural Slab Reinforcing
• Wood Stud Framing
• Roof Trusses
• Plywood Sheathing
Mud Slab
•Used in Wet or
unstable soils
•Provides a very flat
working area for the
contractor while
preventing water
seepage into the
excavation from
below
Granular Base

•Granular Base can be

prescribed by the
Geotechnical Report
instead of a Mud Slab
•Allows for the rapid
drainage of the
excavation while
providing a stable
surface for construction
Hydrostatic Testing – to ACI 350.1
•Performed after precast
sections are placed but
before backfilling
•Specification 3346
outlines the full
procedure and should
be reviewed for each
project (loss changes
with testing depth)
•Full 6 days for the
required testing
Dampproofing

•Dampproofing should be
applied to the exterior surface
of all buried concrete
structures
•Protects the concrete from
moisture ingress and from
chemicals in the soil
(Sulphates)
•If severe water exposure is
expected then Water Proofing
may be specified
 Insulation
•Insulation should be
placed to a depth of 8’-0”
(2440 mm) below the
ground level
•Can be Rigid insulation
or spray-on
•For exposed insulation,
use concrete faced
insulation (CT), or steel
flashing or pressure
treated plywood over
insulation
Joints between Precast Sections, Liner
Coatings
• Waterproof joints are required between every
precast section
• Joint sealant (Ram Neck) is one option that can
be used
• Other options are: Rubber rings, bituminous
compound, epoxy resin cement or cement mortar
• Polybrid coating may be required for severe
environmental conditions or H2S exposure
Structural Slab Reinforcing

•See other presentations on Rebar Inspections by

AE
Wood Stud Framing

•Should always have a

double top plate
•Studs should be
labelled as SPF No. 2 or
SPF No. 1
•Stud grade lumber is
not acceptable – too
many knots and
imperfections
Roof Trusses – designed by Truss Engineer

•Roof Trusses should try

and line up with the wood
studs underneath
•Adequate bracing as
shown on the drawings
should be installed
•Contractor is responsible
to add bracing not shown
on truss shop drawings or
provided by truss
manufacturer
Plywood Sheathing

•Plywood sheathing is
often overlooked on
wood buildings but
provides important
lateral load resistance
•All edges of plywood
sheets should be
connected to solid wood
framing. Plywood joints
should have 2 x 4
blocking to transfer the
lateral forces
Questions?