Weidmann Electrical Technology Manufacturing Expansion

St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Weidmann Electrical Technology, a producer of electrical transformer insulation material, initiated a 38,000 sf expansion (65 ft by 283 ft by 60 ft high) to house a new 2,000,000-lb hot press for increased production capacity at their St. Johnsbury facility. Building construction and equipment investment totaled $38M. To meet client schedule goals, the project was fast-tracked and delivered through a construction-managed process.

D&K provided conceptual, preliminary, and final design services, as well as bid/negotiation assistance and construction phase services related to the design and construction of the foundation and structural systems. D&K also provided Special Inspection coordinator services during the construction of the project.

Problematic soil conditions required the use of a complex foundation system consisting of 48-inch and 60-inch diameter caissons, grade beams, and a 500-pound per sf capacity structural slab on grade. The superstructure consisted of structural steel framing, an elevated floor with 500-psf load capacity, and a 30-ton overhead bridge crane.

The structural and foundation design were developed by integrating the use of RAM Structural System with AutoDesk’s Revit Structural System for 3-D modeling and construction document production.

The project received a Grand Award in the Engineering Excellence Awards sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies/Vermont Section. The project was recognized as an outstanding example of engineering excellence in the category of: Buildings, Structures, and Support Systems.