Intermodal Dolly Strips & Aprons in Memphis, TN
Reinforced 10" thick concrete pads engineered to handle heavy dropped intermodal chassis.
Intermodal Dolly Strips & Aprons for Memphis Projects
Memphis is one of the few inland freight hubs served by all five Class I railroads, and intermodal terminals, container yards and trailer lots are part of the landscape. Dolly strips and heavy aprons are the pavements that hold up dropped chassis and trailers, where the weight of a loaded unit concentrates on small landing-gear contact areas.
That concentration of load is what makes these pavements different from ordinary parking. Designers typically use thick concrete with high flexural strength, doweled joints, a stable and well-drained base, and sometimes fibers or reinforcement to resist impact and punching. Joint placement matters, since a landing gear sitting on a poorly supported joint can cause faulting and corner breaks.
Local conditions add to the challenge. River-bottom and alluvial sites can have soft subgrade and high groundwater, while uplands may have erodible loess. Summer heat affects finishing of large exposed areas. A well-planned dolly strip combines pavement design, base preparation, drainage and joint detailing to give owners a pavement that can take repeated heavy loading.
Memphis-Specific Considerations
- Subgrade strength and drainage are critical, and treated or stabilized base can reduce pumping and deflection under repeated heavy loads.
- Flexural strength and durable mix design are usually specified for heavy pavements, with joint details coordinated with expected landing-gear positions.
- Large exposed yards in Memphis summers need evaporation control and curing planning to limit surface cracking.
- Yards near the river or in low areas should consider drainage and groundwater to protect base layers.
- Working in active terminals may require phased pours, traffic control and operator coordination.
Our Intermodal Dolly Strips & Aprons Process
1. Confirm loading and pavement design
Review the chassis and container loads, traffic pattern, thickness, dowels and joint layout with the engineer.
2. Stabilize and prepare the base
Improve soft subgrade as needed, place the base course, and check grades and drainage before forming.
3. Set forms, dowels and reinforcement
Install forms, dowel baskets and any reinforcement or fibers, and align strips with planned stall layouts.
4. Place and finish with hot-weather controls
Place high-strength concrete, manage evaporation, finish to specified texture, and cure promptly.
5. Saw, seal and reopen
Cut and seal joints, verify strength before releasing to heavy traffic, and document tests for the owner.
Reference Specifications
- Mix: 4,000–5,500 PSI mix with high-performance water reducers
- Flatness: FF 50 / FL 40 for narrow-aisle high-density warehouse racking
- Reinforcement: Grade 60 structural rebar grids and continuous synthetic macro-fibers
Industrial Corridors We Serve
- FedEx World Hub Area
- Southeast Industrial Submarket
- Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park
- Desoto County Corridor
Related Services
Request a Bid ReviewIntermodal Dolly Strips & Aprons FAQ — Memphis
What is a dolly strip?
A dolly strip is a reinforced concrete pad or strip, usually thicker than surrounding pavement, designed to support the landing gear of parked trailers or container chassis. It resists the high concentrated load that would otherwise punch into regular pavement. Dimensions, thickness and reinforcement come from the pavement design, and joints are laid out so landing gear does not sit on weak spots.
Why do concrete container yards often need dowels and thick sections?
Heavy, repeated loads cause bending and shear at joints and corners. Dowels transfer load between slabs to limit faulting, while thicker sections and high flexural-strength concrete reduce stress. A stable base prevents pumping of fines. The specific thickness depends on traffic, soils and the operator's equipment, as set by the pavement engineer.
Can dolly strips be repaired without a full replacement?
Sometimes. If the base is sound, damaged panels can be removed and replaced with doweled, thickened sections, or localized repairs can be used. If settlement or pumping is present, base correction is typically needed. A condition survey, including coring and subgrade checks, helps determine the right approach before work begins.