Recommended for this project by longtime repeat client Universal Alloy, Choate constructs the addition of four massive equipment pits for Universal Alloy’s top supplier of materials, Vista Metals. This project consists of the addition of four equipment pits in an existing manufacturing plant in Adairsville, Georgia. There are two casting pits known as project #1; and two tilting furnaces foundations known as project #6. The addition of the pits is being performed in an existing manufacturing plant. Low-over-head clearances and working in and around existing plant appurtenances will make this a challenging project. In addition to the four pits, Choate also constructs future furnace foundation #F 1 and the casting pit process piping work, cooling tower installation and piping work, air piping, gas piping, casting pit steam exhaust pits, and trenches. Later awarded is the casting pit equipment installation, millwrighting, and rigging work.

Lithium Furnace

Following the construction of four equipment pits, Choate is back again at the Vista Metals campus to add a massive pit for a Lithium Furnace. Located in a pre-engineered metal framed building, this pit measures 50 feet by 30 feet and is 35 feet deep, requiring engineered shoring systems, confined-space entrance safety measures, and extra thick concrete slabs and walls. Additional features include casting pit process piping work, air piping, gas piping, casting pit steam exhaust pits, and miscellaneous trenches. Multiple ledges, haunches, abutments, embedded steel items, and concrete elevation changes typical with equipment pits are also included.

Cast House

Expanding the Vista Metals Corporation foundry campus in Adairsville, GA, this third project for the valued repeat client adds a 23,000 SF-aluminum billet cast house. This facility increases capacity at the foundry to supply the raw aluminum billets used by aluminum extruders such as Universal Alloy in Canton, Georgia.

This project consists of a 45-foot deep casting pit, as well as a lube pit, pump pit, casting cart pit, steam exhaust pits. Foundations added includes the bases for an aluminum pre-heater, cooling tower and two for the tilting melting furnace. The casting pit construction requires shoring roughly 20 feet by 30 feet to a depth of 45 feet. At the same time a dewatering system is installed and the water table at the casting pit is at 21 feet below finish floor. At the completion of the dewatering system, the casting pit is built from the bottom, up.