Exhibit_5_-_Crypts-101-Submittal-Review.pdf

PDF 593 KB Posted

Attached to
Master Agreement AZ|CTR079530
Contract number
CTR079530
Issued by
Arizona

About this file

The document is a presentation by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) detailing a comprehensive review process for concrete burial crypts used in federal, state, and tribal veterans' cemeteries. The presentation involves multiple precasting companies including Lindsay/Wieser/Universal/United Precast, Wilbert Precast, Creter Precast, Sanipoli/Whited Precast, and Tribute Precast, each of which employs a Professional Engineer (PE) to develop structural calculations for crypt submittals.

The review process involves a detailed technical examination of crypt submittals, focusing on critical elements such as concrete mix design, reinforcement specifications, rebar placement, structural calculations, and load-bearing capabilities. Key review points include verifying the concrete precast plant's certification, checking lid lifting mechanisms, confirming rebar specifications, and ensuring proper steel reinforcement placement. The document emphasizes the importance of on-site buried crypt load testing using a 12,000-pound axle load to validate the structural integrity of the crypts, with testing required for exterior, interior, and oversized perimeter crypts. The review is conducted by a specialist with 10 years of structural engineering experience who provides detailed feedback to project managers to ensure the highest quality and safety standards for veterans' burial infrastructure.

View the file

Other files

Show all 15

On GovTribe

Work with this file

  • Download the original file
  • Contacts named in this file
  • Similar government files
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this file

Text version

Submittal Review Crypts 101

➢ Genesis:

National Cemetery Administration

18 years ago, Mr. Muro announced that the new NCA’s Crypt Specialist is to review Crypt submittals. Fed, State & Tribal:

Since Mr. Muro’s decision, I review each project’s crypt submittal, and send my comments to the PM who then adds my comments to AE’s review (if any) and eventual final approval.

For new & reno Cemetery projects, the NCA contracts with AE design firms that provide Plans, Specs, Submittals review, Inspection, As-Builts, etc. for crypt install projects. The AE has in-house or contracts for design disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, and structural, etc.. Most, if not all of the AE’s Professional Structural Engineers (PE) do not get involved with thin-wall concrete vessels (2” walls & less); most likely from not trusting “fiber” as reinforcement and/or higher risk of wall failure tarnishing their PE license. The five PEs listed below are the exception, but all work for the concrete Precasters only.

That is where I play a part providing expertise.

With my 10 years of private industry experience providing Structural Engineering, I review & comment on the crypt submittal in its entirety including the “PE stamped” Structural Calculations as provided by one of the five (5) PE’s below. My approval of the crypt submittal including Calculations makes all involved very happy.

The five (5) PE’s hired by the concrete Precasters are listed below.

I also provide crypt submittal reviews for State & Tribal Veteran Cemetery crypt install projects. 95% of the time I am the only one doing this review.

OK, with all that said, I can put together 12 to 20 slides of what to look for in a Crypt 101 Submittal review. It will be boring!! No actual field pictures. Slides will be pages from an actual submittal that will have yellow highlight areas and maybe some red lines & arrows, plus some pithy text to point out what to look for.

➢ Items to Review.

National Cemetery Administration

Proposed Crypt Submittal “Reviewing” Slides:

1) Check for concrete precast plant’s NPCA certificate is current.

2) Assure proper lid lifting wire rope apparatus.

3) Assure inside-shelf lid lifting apparatus included.

4) Check Lid anchors are designated “Hot Dipped Galvanized.”

5) Check 4-inch (tapering) diameter crypt floor drainholes are shown.

6) Check the concrete Mix Design has:

i) fly ash, proper SCC slump/spread, etc…..

ii) Fly ash waiver if applicable. Why is that acceptable.

iii) Has fiber reinforcement. Fiber not necessary in lids.

7) Structural Calculations: (including OverSized)

i) Confirm use of 24-inch fill cover over lids for installs that are not stepped crypts.

ii) Steel rebar in crypt perimeter walls is consistent. Use all #5s or all #4s. Not both in a crypt. Explain why.

iii) Steel rebar shown in the proper position for perimeter wall bending area is critical.

8) Typical Quad crypt detail pages: (including OverSized)

i) Quad interior crypt

ii) Quad perimeter crypt (steel rebar is in the proper place in buttresses)

iii) Oversized crypts.

➢List of PEs in the past

National Cemetery Administration

Professional Engineers (PE) hired by concrete Precasters for “PE stamped” crypt loading “Structural Calculations” in crypt submittals:

Lindsay/Wieser/Universal/United Precast uses Mr. Gary Munkelt, PE Wilbert Precast uses Mr. Larry Jones, PE Creter Precast uses Mr. Harrison, PE Sanipoli/Whited Precast uses Rivera-Smith, PE Tribute Precast uses Mr. Decent, PE

Submittal

Review

Crypts 101

➢ Typical Review email

National Cemetery Administration

From: Walters, Andrew J. <Andrew.Walters3@va.gov> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 7:48 AM To: Derrick Morris <derrick.morris@valiint.com> Cc: Paul Crowe <paul.crowe@valiint.com> Subject: RE: Crypt Submittal Review

Mr. Morris, Mr. Crowe, My review comments are following of Cheyanne National Cemetery’s concrete Crypt

Submittal dated Dec. 6, 2024 with Structural Design Calculations. Oversized crypts are NOT submitted. Crypts are to be provided by Lindsay Precast in Colorado Springs CO.

I would recommend resubmitting of this crypt submittal based on addressing the following:

1. The concrete Mix Design has fly ash. Excellent.

2. The concrete Mix design shows fiber reinforcing in crypt walls and floor. Excellent. Standard operating procedure is fiber is NOT included in the crypt lids for better top lid surface finishes since reinforcing steel is present. Excellent again.

3. The submittal page “BURIAL CRYPT – QUAD PERIMETER shows three #5 rebars in the Quad’s beams but does not show exact location of the rebar from the inside crypt wall face. This dimension is structurally critical and needs to be inserted into said page.

On-site Crypt buried load testing needs to include exterior & interior crypts plus an Oversized perimeter crypt (if applicable). Pic of typical buried testing set-up and be provided. Please bring the inside-shelf removal tool(s) for the buried testing.

Also, please allow me three (3) weeks of advance notice to schedule travel to witness the on-site testing.

Thanks, Andy

Andrew J. Walters, PE Specialist, Cemetery Development & Improvement Service (41A2) National Cemetery Administration 1700 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 O. 404-929-5910 C. 678-699-4896

Reasons to do Buried Crypt test:

The crypt confined buried test w/ 12,000 lb axle load running over it will test a whole lot more than the concrete’s compressive strength. Such as:

1. Steel rebar is the right grade, properly sized, and in the proper locations in perimeter crypts’ buttress walls.

Maximum load over Crypts (12,000 lb axle):

➢ Test Crypts Layout option Simplistic (and acceptable):

National Cemetery Administration

Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .