815-416-1000UCP Summer 2019 Newsletter
Please Check out our Summer Newsletter!
Project Highlights
We have recently finished many exciting projects here at UCP. See some of the unique precast concrete solutions we created below!
Eco-Span Arch System
UCP recently produced and delivered two Eco-Span Arch Systems for IDOT Contract 60T75 in Old Mill Creek and Jo Daviess County, IL as a part of their new township bridge program.
The arch system spanning over the Mud River in Jo Daviess County is 42′ long and consists of nine precast segments. E ach individual section had a 36′ span and 10’ rise . The last two sections at either end were tapered to follow the flow line of the river, which required a special form to produce. Custom forming is nothing new to UCP’s maintenance department with their extensive history of complex projects and formwork. Headwall and wingwall sections were also incorporated into the design, connecting to the outer arch sections through a unique mechanical connection developed by our engineering team. Tight tolerances were followed while producing the headwalls as they were required to sit flush with the top of the arch segments. During the install, these segments were erected into their final position with ease due to the production procedures implemented by our Operations and Quality Control team.
With an inside span of 42’ and an 11’ rise, t he arch structure over the relocated Millburn Creek is the largest Eco-Span system that UCP has produced to date. A great deal of consideration was given when handling and delivering these arches, as a majority of the 18 pieces weighed approximately 60,000 lbs. Specialty haulers and permits were required for these oversized loads due to both the weight and width, which was no problem for our experienced freight team. The installation was spread out over the course of two days with nine pieces set each day. What makes this structure unique is the precast headwalls that were installed after the arch segments with a doweled and epoxy injected connection.
UCP has additional arch systems to complete in the near future, each with their own unique challenges. These projects highlight why we are the leading precast supplier in the Midwest capable of producing and delivering intricate precast systems, a nod to our skilled Operations team.
Click here to see additional Accelerated Bridge Construction projects
Village of Berkeley Flood Control Pump Station
UCP continues to succeed at providing precast solutions to cast-in-place designs as demonstrated by our recent completion of a Precast Concrete Pump Station for the Village of Berkeley’s Flood Control Project. This enormous structure was over 20’ long x 17’ wide x 30’ tall and weighed just under 550,000 lbs when fully assembled.
In order to ship this to the jobsite in manageable pieces, our engineering team had to come up with a design that allowed us to split the structure both horizontally and vertically utilizing mechanical connections between each section. In total there were three base/wall sections, six barrels, three baffle walls and three roof slabs. To reduce the weights of the base/wall and barrel sections, the three baffle walls were produced as separate sections rather than poured integrally with the structure. Slotted inserts were used in conjunction with galvanized steel angle to secure the baffles in place after the barrel sections had been installed.
With pre-planning and coordination between UCP and the contractor, all fifteen sections were delivered and offloaded on the jobsite in under four hours. The use of precast for the pump station allowed for the size of the excavation to be reduced using shoring boxes, which was critical due to the tight site conditions and resulted in a successful project for all parties.
Click here to see additional Drainage projects
IDOT Noise Abatement Wall
I n the first quarter of 2019 Utility Concrete Products completed over 2,000 linear feet of ground mounted noise abatement wall for IDOT Contract 60V57 in Bartlett, IL. This NAW was split into two separate runs and contained a 1.5” random ashlar stone texture with a sand colored stain as specified in the contract documents.
As with any project, this job had its fair share of challenges along the way. A particular stretch had several 90-degree corners and kinks that required custom steel beams to be fabricated. With our extensive history of designing and supplying various types of wall systems this was easily coordinated between our designer and the contractor to ensure an efficient and smooth install.
Special consideration was given to the delivery aspect since electrical overhead lines needed to be switched off temporarily. These outages were only provided for a few days but through daily communication between the installing contractor and our freight team, all the panels within these spans were set in time. With all the necessary components, and an easy to follow installation guide provided by UCP, we truly offer a full comprehensive package for our customers to ensure we exceed their expectations.
Click here to see additional Sound Wall projects
IDOT Box Culvert
A precast concrete box culvert system was produced by UCP a s part of the improvements on IDOT Contract 61D22 in Frankfort, IL. Our production team was up to the task of fabricating the 788 foot-long system with a total of (113) 10’x4’x8′ long individual segments, in addition to two end panels and one flared headwall end section.
These precast box culverts offer superior strength and ease of installation when compared to other methods, such as cast-in-place. The precast sections can be built well in advance in a controlled plant environment, and only require a moderate size crane and small crew to set them in place. Backfilling can begin almost immediately and allows for other work activities to commence, keeping workflow steady and the job on schedule.
The individual pieces are interlocked together by a shiplap joint with butyl joint tape placed in between. The exposed joint is then encased with an external joint wrap to make the seal watertight. The overall process of fabricating, delivering, and installing this box culvert system was a great success, and UCP welcomes any opportunity to produce similar structures in the future.
Click here to see additional Drainage projects
Meet Our Employees
Jacky Huang recently came on board with the UCP team as a Project Manager. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis of Probability and Statistics. With a background of Project Management experience in the asphalt and storage industries, Jacky has begun managing projects related to our soundwall, retaining wall and drainage products.
Alex Mendez, our Plant Administrator/Safety Coordinator, is a graduate of the University of Aurora. Alex has been with Utility Concrete for a year and half and assists with a variety of tasks in the office and in our production facility. He works with suppliers ensuring accurate and timely deliveries and coordinates production posting. He also works with plant personnel on safety training and day to day operations.
Leslie Gayan, Account Manager , brings over 8 years of sales experience and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. Prior to her UCP role, she held positions as both Store Manager and Territory Manager within the Construction Industry. Her years of valuable experience add up to a keen knowledge in construction sales. Leslie is extremely eager and excited to assist you with all of your precast needs and promises to deliver exceptional service on a daily basis. Leslie’s passion is rooted in customer relationships, where she initiates and maintains connections based on a deep understanding of mutual benefits between business and society. Here at UCP, she manages the sales process for a variety of projects for both standard and custom structures. While thriving on surpassing customer’s expectations, she supplies quotes, guides customers through the submittal/approval process, and coordinates production and deliveries.
Josh Gass recently joined the UCP Team as a Technical Salesman in the Sales/Project Management Department. With a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing from the University of St. Francis and with sales and marketing experience in the cast-in-place pipelining industry, he has proven to be a great asset to the team. Josh manages our technical sales, as well as coordinates production and deliveries for many of UCP’s custom structures.
Tim Gile started his career at UCP as a Foreman in our production facility, and was subsequently promoted to Project Manager. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering & a minor in Material Science. Tim manages a wide variety of projects including: airport projects, drainage and specialty structures.
Ramon Echeverria joined UCP just over a year ago in our Drafting Department. He has an Associates Degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design from Joliet Junior College, and is currently enrolled in a Bachelors of Business program at Governors State University. Ramon drafts shop drawings for submittal/production, works together with the engineering team to complete project layouts, and coordinates with Project Managers & Account Managers to ensure our drawings are accurate.
2019 PCI Design Awards Winner
We are honored to have recently won a 2019 PCI Design Award for our Wave Wall Project at Northwestern University. Click here for the PCI Profile.
Click here to see additional Innovative Solutions projects
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