Special Industrial Project: Underground Engineering for a Tire Plant

At Caabsa Steel México we are proud to share the details of challenging projects: the construction of a five-level industrial building in Cuernavaca, Morelos, designed specifically for a leading tire manufacturer.

This project stands out for its technical complexity and for integrating tailor-made solutions that guarantee the efficient, safe operation of specialized machinery.

Project overview

• Location: Cuernavaca, State of Morelos.
• Client: A major company in the automotive sector (tire manufacturing).
• Type of construction: A five-level industrial building — three basement levels and two above ground.
• Total built area: more than 2,000 m²
• Main objective: To house and protect special equipment for the plant's production processes, and to optimize material flow through high-performance industrial installations.

Technical and special features

The nature of the tire manufacturing process called for very specific engineering solutions:

• Robust structure and deep foundations: Because the building has three underground levels, exhaustive geotechnical studies were carried out to design a foundation capable of supporting not only the weight of the structure, but also the dynamic loads and vibrations of heavy machinery.
• Making the most of the subsoil: The three basement levels were designed to house equipment that requires controlled temperature, acoustic insulation and security. This frees up space at grade and optimizes the plant's internal logistics.
• Specialized extraction and ventilation: High-capacity extractors were installed to guarantee air quality and the removal of particles and gases from the vulcanizing process and material handling. These systems comply with environmental and industrial safety regulations.
• Overhead traveling crane: One of the most notable installations is the overhead traveling crane on one of the upper levels. This equipment is essential for moving molds, raw materials and heavy finished products, optimizing production times and reducing risk for operators.
• Protection of special equipment: Advanced protective measures were implemented, including:
• Fire detection and suppression systems.
• Humidity and temperature control in critical areas.
• Special insulation and coatings to protect machinery from corrosive agents.

Challenges and solutions during execution

• Geotechnical challenge: Building three basement levels on the Cuernavaca site required a diaphragm wall system and careful groundwater management to guarantee stability during excavation.
• Integrating the overhead crane: Installing this equipment demanded specific structural reinforcement in the roof slab and millimetric coordination with the electrical and safety systems.
• Coordination of installations: The coexistence of extraction systems, high-power electrical service and the overhead crane required a BIM (Building Information Modeling) model to avoid clashes and optimize space.

Conclusion

This project in Cuernavaca is a clear example of how tailor-made engineering can solve the most demanding needs of industry. The combination of underground spaces, specialized installations and large equipment such as the overhead traveling crane allowed us to deliver a functional, safe building, ready for the challenges of modern tire production.