Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) – Little Rock, AR
Project Overview
Coreslab Structures provided precast concrete components for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s (ADEM) tornado shelter project. This project was a unique design challenge that required a functional, safe, and attractive work environment that could operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and house employees and state officials for extended periods of time in the event of a tornado, emergency, or disaster.
To meet the requirements for protecting occupants and valuable equipment from a category F-4 tornado, Coreslab Structures provided a total of 214 precast components, including 5″ and 7″ solid wall panels with an exposed aggregate, sandblasted exterior finishes with reveals. The native gray aggregate in the area was chosen for the wall panels, as it suited the natural environment around the project location and provided a pleasing appearance for occupants, state officials, and visitors.
Completed in 2006, the precast concrete components of the project provided the necessary impact and wind load performance to ensure the safety of the occupants and equipment. As a result, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management was able to provide a secure shelter for its employees and state officials.
After assessing the capabilities of precast concrete, the architect selected to go with solid precast wall panels. The native gray aggregate in the area was selected as the color for the attractive exposed aggregate panels because it suited the natural environment around the project location and also provided a pleasing appearance for employees, state officials, and visitors. Precast concrete was also chosen for its extreme impact and wind load performance needed to meet the requirements for protecting occupants and valuable equipment from a category F-4 tornado. Included in the project were 5″ & 7″ solid wall panels with an exposed aggregate, sandblasted exterior finishes with reveals, 214 total precast pieces, and Structural precast wall panels only.
Precast Benefits
Precast concrete components provided several benefits to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s tornado shelter project. The precast concrete was able to meet the requirements for protecting occupants and valuable equipment from a category F-4 tornado, providing the necessary impact and wind load performance to ensure the safety of the occupants and equipment. Additionally, the exposed aggregate and sandblasted exterior finishes with reveals allowed the shelter to blend in with the surrounding environment and provided a pleasing aesthetic for occupants, state officials, and visitors.
Finally, precast concrete was able to be quickly and efficiently installed, helping to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Precast concrete was the ideal choice for this unique project, providing the performance, aesthetics, and cost-efficiency necessary to ensure the safety of the occupants and equipment.
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) – Little Rock, AR
About Coreslab
Coreslab Structures is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of precast concrete products. Since 1975, we have been a premier producer of precast/prestressed concrete products, supplying top–of–the–line structural, architectural, and hollow core solutions to clients across Canada and the United States.
Our extensive network of precast/prestressed concrete facilities, combined with our commitment to excellence and technical expertise, has helped us become a leader in construction innovation and sustainable practices.
