Beijing Southeast Expressway Smart Logistics Hub Cold Storage Project

In Beijing's administrative approval system, large-span post-tensioned slabs fall under the category of 'special structures' requiring expert committee review. BICP provided comprehensive technical support documentation for the special structural review, including a 3D finite element analysis report (using a US-imported 3D finite element analysis program combined with proprietary post-tensioning optimization algorithms), a post-tensioning construction plan, and a structural safety special demonstration. The review was successfully passed, establishing the technical approval foundation for project commencement.

The 12.7m column spacing was determined through precise matching with the racking system requirements. During the planning and design phase, BICP collaborated with the racking supplier to conduct BIM-based collaborative analysis of rack layout. Parameters such as aisle width, rack depth, and forklift turning radius collectively determined the optimal column spacing, which was calculated to be 12.7m. At this spacing, rack arrangement is compact and efficient, forklift aisle utilization is high, and the effective storage capacity ratio is optimized. This design approach demonstrates that column spacing for large-span cold storage should be customized based on specific rack system parameters to achieve precise alignment between structural scheme and operational efficiency, rather than applying standard grids. Additionally, the prestressed flat slab solution helped control floor-to-floor height, allowing the project to meet planning height restrictions while optimizing floor count and area per floor, thereby improving floor area ratio utilization. The project also integrated cold storage with ambient-temperature high-standard warehouses in a unified layout: the high-standard warehouse uses large-span steel structure, while the cold storage uses large-span post-tensioned concrete structure, with BICP coordinating the interface between the two structural systems to ensure deformation compatibility at connection points.

Project Background

The Beijing Southeast Expressway Smart Logistics Hub is a key modern logistics infrastructure project promoted by the Beijing municipal government, developed and operated by the smart logistics subsidiary of Beijing Shoufa Group. Positioned as a comprehensive logistics hub, the cold storage section serves the cold chain distribution and reserve functions for the capital metropolitan area, demanding high warehousing efficiency and facility standards.

Cold storage construction in Beijing has long been constrained by traditional small column grid layouts, resulting in suboptimal storage capacity utilization compared to modern cold chain operational needs. As a new high-standard cold storage facility, the owner explicitly required a large column spacing scheme to maximize floor area utilization and facilitate the deployment of intelligent racking and automated equipment.

BICP was engaged to provide post-tensioned structural technical services, proposing a 12.7m large column spacing post-tensioned flat slab solution, which was successfully implemented after technical review and special structural review.

Technical Solution

Selection Logic for 12.7m Column Spacing. Compared to common standard grids such as 12m×12m or 12m×10m, the 12.7m spacing was determined by precise matching with the racking system requirements. During the planning and design phase, BICP collaborated with the racking supplier to conduct BIM-based collaborative analysis of rack layout. Parameters such as aisle width, rack depth, and forklift turning radius collectively determined the optimal column spacing, which was calculated to be 12.7m. At this spacing, rack arrangement is compact and efficient, forklift aisle utilization is high, and the effective storage capacity ratio is optimized.

This design approach demonstrates that column spacing for large-span cold storage should be customized based on specific rack system parameters to achieve precise alignment between structural scheme and operational efficiency, rather than applying standard grids.

Multi-Constraint Coordination for Urban Cold Storage. Beijing's strict building review standards required the project to consider planning height limits, fire safety distances, and green building ratings during the design phase. The prestressed flat slab solution helped control floor-to-floor height, allowing the project to meet planning height restrictions while optimizing floor count and area per floor, thereby improving floor area ratio utilization.

Integrated Planning of High-Standard Warehouse and Cold Storage. The first phase of the project integrated cold storage with ambient-temperature high-standard warehouses in a unified layout: the high-standard warehouse uses large-span steel structure, while the cold storage uses large-span post-tensioned concrete structure, forming complementary functions and sharing园区 utilities. BICP coordinated the interface between the two structural systems during the cold storage structural design to ensure deformation compatibility at connection points.

Special Structural Review

In Beijing's administrative approval system, large-span post-tensioned slabs fall under the category of 'special structures' requiring expert committee review. BICP provided comprehensive technical support documentation for the special structural review, including a 3D finite element analysis report (using a US-imported 3D finite element analysis program combined with proprietary post-tensioning optimization algorithms), a post-tensioning construction plan, and a structural safety special demonstration. The review was successfully passed, establishing the technical approval foundation for project commencement.

Delivered Value

Upon project completion, the 12.7m large column spacing scheme reduced the number of internal columns while providing ample structural space for flexible arrangement of intelligent racking and automated equipment, improving effective storage capacity utilization and rack layout flexibility, meeting the owner's operational requirements for high-standard modern cold chain facilities.

Reference Significance

This project is a representative engineering practice of BICP's Taiku system in the Beijing market and a reference case for the application of large-span post-tensioned cold storage in urban logistics hub scenarios. It demonstrates the methodology of deep integration between rack system BIM collaborative design and structural system selection, as well as the technical review pathway for special structures under strict urban approval environments, making it suitable for reference by cold chain construction investors in Beijing and similar first-tier cities.

Upon project completion, the 12.7m large column spacing scheme reduced the number of internal columns while providing ample structural space for flexible arrangement of intelligent racking and automated equipment, improving effective storage capacity utilization and rack layout flexibility, meeting the owner's operational requirements for high-standard modern cold chain facilities. This project is a representative engineering practice of BICP's Taiku system in the Beijing market and a reference case for the application of large-span post-tensioned cold storage in urban logistics hub scenarios. It demonstrates the methodology of deep integration between rack system BIM collaborative design and structural system selection, as well as the technical review pathway for special structures under strict urban approval environments, making it suitable for reference by cold chain construction investors in Beijing and similar first-tier cities.