ADA concrete ramp

[may02]

Hello all,

Let me star by saying what a great resource this website brings. I am posting this whith hopes to find some guidance to a design that I was asked to do. I'm a recent ME graduate working for a school district facilities division. I was asked to design an ADA concrete ramp for access to an exisitng building. I have been braking my head trying to find info on line, and came up with some ideas but certainily this is way out of my league.

The height of the landing where the ADA ramp is to be connected to is 3.51feet. I read that the minimum ratio for ADA ramps is 1:12, but some sites recommend 1:16 for easier manuver. In general, I have read in all of the requirements needed for a ramp. I need some guidance as to what type of concrete to use, what type of wire mesh to use, what spacing control joints should be placed... etc. Or if anyone knows where I can find details for ADA concrete ramps, it will be helpfull.

I do not know what kind of loads will be applied, except for the ramp, and the weelchairs circulating in it...meaning what ealse should I consider for this.

I also know that a base coarse aggregate needs to be placed below the concrete to a deph of 6".. I think

Can someone please help me?

Thank You

 

[graybeach]

may02,
You should find the actual ADA guidelines and make sure your design meets them. Try searching for ADAAG. There are particular requirements for landings, railing configuration, etc. As for loads, will the ramp be on a structure or on grade? If on a structure, you need to look up the requirements in the applicable building code. Your other questions (type of concrete, mesh)point to the need for you to get a structural person involved.

 

[gbam]

May02;
Take a look at your local/state DOT standard drawings. These may provide some insight.

Best of Luck

 

[bimr]

Try a web search. There are lots of resources available.

http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Wheelchair-Ramp

http://www.rampsolutions.net/wheelchairmanual/index.htm

http://www.randpc.com/AskTheEngineer/genAskTheEngineerADA.asp

 

[may02]

Thank you all for your responses. I have read and understand the requirements for the ramp that I need to design, but I'm still uninformed about how to design the concrete ramp for it. Can you guys shed some light? I have never done Civil design before, but I want to take a shot at it. It does not seem difficult (I picked up a CE reference manual on concrete design) but I need some guidance as to the steps to take to proceed with the design. For, instance if someone can create a scenario with arbitrary information that I can use as a guide it will be helpfull and appreciated.

Thank You

 

[graybeach]

The questions you are asking make it seel like you are not qualified to do structural design. Do you have anyone at your company who can mentor you through this? One way at least to get a start would be for you to find existing ramps in your area that have similar qualities as the one you are working on and take lots of photos.

 

[gbam]

Also, look at DOT standard specifications for sidewalk/ramp constuction requirements. I do not recall seeing reinforcement in any ramp standard detail or reading it in the specs for my area. It is just placed concrete on compacted subgrade. If you do not have access to these do a web search for standard specs for a town/area near yours.

 

[Hoagie]

Be very careful. You can't connect directly from elev. 0.00 to elev. 3.51-ft. The max 'lift' of such a ramp is 30-inches, so you will need to break the ramp with a compliant landing or regrade part of the site. You will also need compliant landings at the top and bottom of the ramp, handrails, toe guard, and more depending the site character.

I would suggest that you sketch out the ramps and landings using the Dept of Justices, ADA specifications ((hhtp://

http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm)).

After you put together a preliminary design, then meet with the local building official to see what he thinks. Otherwise, hire a professional civil-site type to perform peer review.
Good luck,

h.

 

[GRANITE80]

ADA Guideslines:
Diddo to the previous messages. Especially make sure you have a landing after going 30 inches vertical. Lots of little guidelines to make sure you meet. Certain slopes trigger handrails, etc.

Concrete Design:
Check with a local CE. You might find details that give you some guidance by checking on your local department of transportation website. Soil conditions can require more rock or a geotextile fabric under the sidewalk. We have some mucky stuff around here that just sucks up gravel if there is no fabric. (yes, I'm a civil engineer and those are totally non-technical terms!)

 

[richcrow1]

I did almost the same ADA ramp and have the CAD drawings in the office somewhere. The firm I was with did the same thing, they took on a structural job when no one there was qaulified in structures. Lucking my friend (Structural Eng.) was willing to help me a lot.

BTW: I'm no longer with that firm.

If you still need them I can upload them.