United Rentals
Learn how the world’s largest equipment rental company opened a new business unit on remote land using Tough Cell technology. CALL FOR QUOTEYear
2012
Client
United Rentals,
Canada
Overview
In 2017, United Rentals entered into a partnership with Paradox Access Solutions — a leading North American access solutions company. Together, these two organizations collaborated in designing a site preparation solution to serve as the foundation for United Rentals’ new business unit at Mildred Lake, Alberta (approximately 40 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, in Northern Alberta’s heavy oilsands region). To access this remote location, personnel and equipment would have to travel great distances, and products and services in this geographic area are typically quite costly. As such, the success of this project would rely heavily on sound logistics, detailed planning, and accurate budgeting — in addition to exceptional teamwork.
Year
2012
Client
United Rentals,
Canada
Overview
In 2017, United Rentals entered into a partnership with Paradox Access Solutions — a leading North American access solutions company. Together, these two organizations collaborated in designing a site preparation solution to serve as the foundation for United Rentals’ new business unit at Mildred Lake, Alberta (approximately 40 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, in Northern Alberta’s heavy oilsands region). To access this remote location, personnel and equipment would have to travel great distances, and products and services in this geographic area are typically quite costly. As such, the success of this project would rely heavily on sound logistics, detailed planning, and accurate budgeting — in addition to exceptional teamwork.
Challenges
Paradox’s patented Tough Cell solution was the most suitable technology for reinforcing the ground on this site. Tough Cell met all requirements specified by United Rentals, including (but not limited to):
Extreme Pressure
In Northern Alberta, extreme temperature swings are common and must be taken into consideration during planning. During cold seasons, drastic thaw/freeze cycles can wreak havoc on structures such as concrete pads and asphalt. Alternatively, site pads require subbase stabilization to survive summer rains and avoid heavy rutting.
Lease Restrictions
Many of these yards are leased and, therefore, often have restrictions in place prohibiting the construction of permanent structures on the land. Additionally, in many cases, the land must be restored to its original state when a company vacates the property. This means that materials such as asphalt and concrete, which are expensive to remediate and dispose of, were not viable options for setting up on-site.
Extreme Temperatures
This land would support a massive rental fleet size and constant influx and outflow of heavy equipment traffic, meaning the property needed to be developed to withstand a serious beating. Forklifts, man lifts, zoom booms, large generators, and heavy truck traffic are just a few examples of the heavy equipment that would be used in this yard.
Narrow Timeframe
Once the project’s design work was complete, winter was fast approaching. Paradox’s operations team would have four to six weeks to prepare the location, install the Tough Cell, and clean up the site.
Our Approach
three options were presented to United Rentals, who chose to move forward with the design that focused on reinforcing the highest load-bearing areas of the location while still meeting budgetary expectations.
LAST-MINUTE FENCING
Once the pad was stabilized, United Rentals asked if Paradox could install a perimeter fence to increase site security. Paradox presented a customized plan for the fence installation, and the project was quickly approved. The team at United Rentals was impressed with Paradox’s ability to quickly overcome unforeseen obstacles during installation (such as large boulders buried beneath the proposed fence line) while still completing the project on time and on budget.
SETTING UP SHOP
Curiosity runs strong in the Paradox team. Armed with the knowledge that United Rentals planned on erecting “Coverall”-type buildings on this site, they inquired about United Rentals’ plan to build a floor suitable for supporting heavy loads while providing their mechanics with a safe work environment. One conversation leads to another, and a cost-effective solution utilizing steel-framed rig mats was quickly developed and presented to United Rentals, once again fitting their budget and exceeding their expectations. The shop that would later be assembled by United Rentals measured 100’ x 80’, with an accompanying 40’ x 60’ wash bay. To accommodate these large structures, the design called for 8’ x 40’ steel-framed mats to be used as flooring in both buildings, and tabs were used to hold those mats in place.
The road utilized two layers of Tough Cell®, while the pad utilized three layers of Cells. Both were filled with local materials while aggregates were supplied by local quarries, within ±30km radius.
The road was 4.3 kms in total and finished with a width of 8 meters The Pad was 210m x 195m (40,950m2)
Aggregate materials required are significantly less than conventional methods, due to eliminated requirement for excavation and replacement of organic materials. This resulted in a huge carbon savings usually incurred through expensive excavation & hauling of aggregate material.
Results
The project was not only completed within the scheduled timeframe; it was also completed under budget. Neither of these was an easy endeavor since several unknown conditions were discovered during [project implementation] that required resolution during the construction phase of the project. It was through the problem-solving abilities of the entire Paradox team that the issues were quickly addressed and resolved.
– Brad Hoskins, Regional Manager, Design & Construction, United Rentals
Rather than have a welder weld down hundreds of feet, Paradox used tabs to secure the mats and prevent shifting.
Resulting in
reducing project costs. It allowed for the simple removal of a mat should they ever require repairs or replacement.
Benefits
REINFORCING THE GROUND WITH TOUGH CELL
Paradox’s patented Tough Cell solution was the most suitable technology for reinforcing the ground on this site. Tough Cell met all requirements specified by United Rentals, including (but not limited to):
It creates the “Beam Effect”
It can be used in temperatures ranging from +60°C to –60°C
The product carries a 75-year guarantee.
It can easily be reclaimed and is recyclable.
SECURING STEEL-FRAMED MATS
Rather than have a welder weld down hundreds of feet, Paradox used tabs to secure the mats and prevent shifting. The benefits of this alternative were twofold:
It reduced project costs.
It allows for the simple removal of mats for repairs.
