Truck Loading Dock Design 1

[kxa]

Is there any reference material for design of truck loading docks? I need to design one that backs to a building and one that backs to a concrete slab a few feet away from the building but perhaps close to the bldg foundation.

I know I need to have a rubber bumper and provide for drainage. What impact load should I design the bumper and the rear wall for? Are there any standards. What are the min./max grade for the ramp? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[SperlingPE]

Look up information on dock leveler's.
These are built into the concrete floor and require a "pit".
These are pretty standard at warehouse loading/unloading exits. You should provide a bumper as well, in case the truck does hit the wall.

 

[dik]

as well as seals, lighting, traffic control lights and a latch to prevent movement. The leveller's often have what's called a 'Pit Kit' that is a light metal frame/form that is cast into the pit area.

You should look into how water gets out of the pit as well as the loading dock area; it's often at the bottom of a ramp...

Dik

 

[BSE05]

Check out the Rite-Hite site for dock equipment, bumpers, seals, levellers, dock locks.

Always pitch the grade away from the dock which keeps the trailer body pitched away from the wall. I've seen a few walls pushed in, where the truck force was being applied high up on the dock seal pad.

The impact force is high, a trailer can carry 40K.

 

[Dropout]

Good morning

I need a ramp to be able to drive a tractor trailer into a building through an existing dock level door. I need to get 40 foot tank trailers as well as B-trains into the building.

Is there a formula that I can use to make sure that the landing gear doesn't hit the transition point? I'd like to use as short a ramp as possible.

Thanks