Steel Container Systems (SCS) recently completed a run of custom containers for a project by American Bridge in Washington State. These specialty containers are going to be used on the US 520 freeway construction bridge; connecting Seattle to the East side region of King County via the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge on/over Lake Washington. These specialty container units were designed and engineered to carry spoils from a drilling operation on the bridge footing constructions, to allow the new highway to cross the lake.

SCS had originally built this style of container for American Bridge back in 2015 and 2016. For this recent order they needed more specific modifications to the specialty containers. In 2015, SCS was asked to design the units to be lifted by the site crane (while empty) to an approximate lift rating of only 15,000 lbs. For this order they needed the units to be able to be lifted (while full of spoil materials) up to 150,000 lbs. Increasing the engineered lift capacity of the containers ten fold. To be able to meet their new requirements, SCS utilized their in-house design team of engineers. The team completed a full analysis including deflection models to ensure the design was up to the task. A visual representation of this analysis, including the flex was completed to ensure the container would meet the requirements and provide a safe tested option for this application.

Once the engineering was complete, the container units were built to specification. The containers went through further examination using Magnetic Particle testing procedures to ensure all of the welds (where critical loads were applied), were free from cracks and in good order. Additional testing to approximately 10% of all the welds on the container were completed to ensure the custom containers were of the highest quality standard before they were delivered to the customer.

Having the ability to design unique items for our customers is one of the strengths of Steel Container Systems. Their in house design and engineering team can help create engineered lift equipment for virtually any application. To learn more about the custom steel manufacturing capabilities of Steel Container Systems contact their sales department at 877-727-7833