A02 DOR_Soil_Tank_Hydraulic_System_1.pdf

Description of Requirement Soil Tank Hydraulic Lift System

Scope:

The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center requires the design and fabrication of a hydraulic lift system for a large soil tank for the SENSE Research Facility. This will involve the modification of an existing structure designed to hold soil during experiments. Currently, the soil tank is raised/lowered using a series of eight drop leg jacks – a slow and difficult manual process.

This system is to replace an automated hydraulic lift system meeting the design criteria outlined below in the “Requirements” Section.

Existing Tank Structure:

The soil tank is comprised an acrylic glass sleeve supported by an outer frame. The side walls are constructed out ¼” thick welded rectangular 4”x4” steel tubing. The side wall units are in turn, welded to a 5/8” thick steel plate that is welded to two W24x55 I-beams with webbed supports every 48” O.C. Continuous MC12x10.6 channels are welded to the top and bottom of these I-beams. Note that there is a 1’-5” gap between the two I-beams. These members are attached to four W6x16 I-beam crossmembers. A total of eight casters and eight drop leg jacks are attached to these members to move the soil tank and raise/lower as needed.

The total dimensions of the soil tank are: 24’-4” (length) x 6’-10” (height) x 3’-0” (width). Note that the W6x16 crossmembers have a total width of 4’-4”. See the provided schematics and photos included in the appendix. The contractor is encouraged to come for a site visit to view the system and take their own measurements of the overall structure.

Requirements:

The required hydraulic lift system must meet the following design considerations:

Safely raise and lower the soil tank when fully loaded (55,000 lb, includes factor of safety in estimate).

Raise and lower the soil tank over a 28.5” vertical travel distance.

Total setup must not extend beyond the current 4’-4” x 24’-4” footprint of the existing soil tank.

Total weight of system attached to the existing soil tank shall not exceed 7,500 lb.

The design shall accommodate the existing drop leg jack system which will be left to help stabilize the tank over long periods of time.

The entire system must be mobile or easily attached/detached to allow the soil tank to be rolled on its casters to different locations. Note that the interior between the I-beams and MC12x10.6 channels can be used to store and hold hydraulic tubing, HPU, fluid, etc.

Individual hydraulic jacks must be synchronized via an HPU that will allow the tank remain level over its length and width while be raised/lowered. The system shall have a failsafe that prevents the tank from tipping.

Easy to use HPU for raising and lowering the soil tank with 1/8” precision.

Entire system must be able to operate on 110 or 220V power.

Final design is to be iteratively reviewed/approved by the Owner prior to the start of fabrication of the hydraulic jack system and HPU.

The entire system will have to be installed on the existing soil tank in situ at the laboratory where it is located. Trained facility technician will be available to help support the installation.

Training for facility personnel on the safe use of the system at the conclusion of installation.

In summary, the vendor shall provide the following equipment to include shipping/delivery.

Part No. Part Description Quantity HLS-01 System design 1 HLS-02 Hydraulic jack system fabrication 1 HLS-03 HPU fabrication/programming 1 HLS-04 Installation/Training 1

Delivery Date: No later than 01 December 2024

Delivery Location: Engineering Research and Development Center 3909 Halls Ferry Rd.

Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences Branch (Bldg. 3396) Vicksburg, MS 39180

Appendix

Soil tank raised in place on existing drop leg jacks

Side view of tank

End view of tank