Industrial Pavement Disputes
Industrial Pavement Disputes
Industrial Pavement Disputes
Introduction
Even by the dry standards of building dispute topics, concrete
pavements may provoke a jaw aching yawn. However, they are a
fertile field for disputes which can be expected to increase for the
reasons discussed in this article.
A gap in the system at the design stage is that there is nothing to stop
an engineer presenting an arbitrary specification without any
analytical support, not even consideration of loads and this does
Industrial pavements may be grey and dull on the surface but are occur. Unlike in structural engineering for building permit approved
technically complex beneath. works, there is rarely any requirement for certification or BCA
compliance. Whilst numerous codes and standards may be
Design applicable there is no regulatory system requiring such compliance.
Virtually all heavy duty pavements are concrete as asphalts and
gravels are insufficiently robust. The design process is quite
complex and is governed by the environment and the use to which
the pavement is intended. In most cases this reduces to the number
of wheel loads and their magnitude over an anticipated service life.
Anticipating future use is not always easy and the design engineer
may not have accurate information upon which to base his design.
Ideally engineering designs should state on the drawing their
intended service loads, both in magnitude and repetition and the
design service life. This is rarely done and is commonly an
uncertainly faced in reviewing the suitability of a design.
Investigation
The Technical Expert’s Role
This typically starts with a walk over inspection and a review of
The technical expert will often focus upon what (if anything) has
jointing and any exposed edges. Further testing such as core hole
gone wrong and the alternatives available to make good. The
investigation of the pavement and testing of the sub grade may be
briefing solicitor needs to carefully consider the questions to ask the
required. Although analysis is complex it is sometimes possible to
expert in light of the lack of the regulatory frame work and available
reverse engineer from minimal information. For instance, it might
documentation. It may be useful to first engage a engineer for a
be possible to establish that the constructed thickness as not suitable
global review rather than going straight to a more specific focus such
as materials or geotechnical investigation.