• Del Paso Boulevard at American River North Levee (Del Paso Miter Gate) The exercise had multiple objectives
A. Verify proper fit and attachment of modifications made to the structures and new customized tarps on for each of the stop log locations.
B. Train City personnel on the deployment of the structures and logistical considerations for their deployment.
C. Determine if any procedures could be improved to allow greater efficiency and shorten deployment time.
D. Test fit temporary joint wedges and validate the modified deployment procedure for the Del Paso Miter Gate
2.1 Site 0 – UPRR Crossing at Dry Creek North Levee – RR 0 Observer: Thomas Darlington
Stoplog Installation Time1: Approximately 1.5 hours
Crew and Equipment2
: Five (5) workers and one (1) foreman, one (1) excavator with operator, flatbed with stoplog materials, step ladders, rigging
NOTES
• The structure at this site is unique with the concrete sill located under rail (other locations sill is flush with top of rail).
• Railroad ballast covers the concrete seat for the bottom stoplogs, which must be shoveled out to uncover the concrete sill and the pockets for the upright H-beams. • The middle stoplog seats on top of the rails and metal plates attached to the stoplog close off the area between the rails (see photo), but gaps still exist and sandbags are used to help fill gaps. • An HDPE plug was designed and fabricated to fill the gap area around the rails but was found not to be easy to install because of how it was sectioned. It was decided that the sandbags would be used for now to fill in around the rails until a different insert could be designed, fabricated and test-installed. • A large excavator was used to install the two vertical H-beams and transfer the aluminum stoplog segments from a trailer in the pumping plant parking area down to stoplog installation area. • The aluminum stoplog segments were transferred as four segments stacked together and guided into position on the stack.
• With the lightweight attributes of the aluminum stoplog segments, it would be more efficient to transfer the palletized stoplog segments from the trailer to the track grade and hand-stack them. The excavator (or crane) would only be required for the installation of the two vertical H-beams and the bottom stoplog for the center section, which has additional plating welded on it to support the stoplogs and accommodate the rails.
1 The installation time is from start of assembly and does not include mobilization of materials or equipment as they were already staged onsite. Also does not include installation of sandbags. 2 Crew size listed are those actively working on the installation of the stoplogs. In addition to the working crew, there were two full crews worth of personnel that were observing the installation as familiarization with the process.
Technical Memorandum
Martin Ramos
December 9, 2022
• Upon installation of the custom-made tarp, it was discovered that the tarp was cut too short and did not have a tail long enough for the installation of sandbags
FIGURES
Figure 1. Crew setting vertical H-beams at Site 0. Figure 2. Adapted panel to accommodate the train rails installed.
Figure 3. Custom-fitted tarp installed at Site 0. As visible, the tarp just touches the ground instead of allowing room to stack sandbags on the tail.
Technical Memorandum
Martin Ramos
December 9, 2022
2.2 Site 1 – UPRR Crossing at Robla Creek South Levee – RR 1 Observer: Stephen Sullivan
Stoplog Installation Time: 40 Minutes
Crew and Equipment: Five (5) workers and one (1) foreman, one (1) forklift, flatbed with two (2) stoplog pallets and two (2) posts, hand tools
NOTES
• Materials were pre-staged on flatbed at top of levee. • Prep work to remove post pocket covers and clean sill as materials moved to site. • Twenty (20) minutes to install posts using forklift and manually install stoplogs, including locking device.
• Ladder work required above 1/2 height of stoplogs
• An HDPE plug designed and fabricated to fill the gap area around the rails was not used. Sandbags used to provide a tight fit.
• Tarp was placed in position but not secured. Size is correct. Gromets for anchoring were provided, but anchors for securing have yet to be installed.
• Bottom stoplog fit against sill was tight with new rubber seal.
FIGURES
Figure 4. Stoplog post install. Figure 5. Material delivery.
Technical Memorandum
Martin Ramos
December 9, 2022
Figure 6. RR-1 Stoplog install from ground level and
ladder.
Figure 7. RR-1 Rubber sill seal tight fit up.
Figure 8. RR-1 Tarp installation.
Technical Memorandum
Martin Ramos
December 9, 2022
2.3 Site 2 – UPRR Crossing at Arcade Creek North Levee – RR 2 Observer: Stephen Sullivan
Stoplog Installation Time: 45 minutes (reported)
Crew and Equipment: Five (5) workers and one (1) foreman (for both north and south), one (1) backhoe, small flatbed with a stoplog pallet and two (2) posts, hand tools NOTES
• Materials were pre-staged on flatbed on top of adjacent levee. • Installed similar to RR-01.
• New rubber bottom seal (measured at 2”) fit tight to concrete sill. • The rail is slightly recessed below concrete sill. Sandbags were needed to seal gap. • Reported installation time for stoplogs was 45 minutes, including locking devices. • Ladder work required for upper 1/3 height of stoplogs. • Tarp was placed in position but not secured. Size is correct. Gromets for anchoring provided, but anchors for securing have yet to be installed.
FIGURES
Figure 9. RR-2 Installation of stoplogs completed prior to observer's arrival.
Figure 10. RR-2 The 2-inch rubber seal with tight fit to concrete sill.