Golden Triangle Polymers Project

SGH and CPChem focused on optimizing material quantities without compromising compliance with applicable codes, engineering requirements, safety, or the overall project schedule. We reviewed applicable codes, standards, industry guidelines, project-specific design criteria, the EPC contractor’s structural analysis models, and other relevant documentation. SGH collaborated with CPChem, including their internal structural subject matter experts, and the EPC contractor’s project team, and consulted with the chairs from the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE-7 main committee and the American Concrete Institute ACI-318 foundations subcommittee to validate key technical considerations.

SGH proposed concepts for refining the structural analyses, including incorporating lateral pile flexibility to more accurately account for self-straining forces induced by ambient temperature variations and not combining extreme cold temperatures with hurricane‑force level winds. By incorporating our recommendations, the team substantially reduced structural steel and reinforced concrete quantities, as well as the number of piles (by as much as 50%) for certain modular piperack structures, resulting in significant savings to the 7,000 reinforced concrete piles specified in the plant’s original design.