

2025 Nominees

Project Name
Cincinnati Zoo Elephant Enclosure
Description
NRMCA Member Company: Hilltop Companies (Cincinnati, OH). This project was also the Ohio Concrete Project of the Year for 2024.
Concrete played a crucial role in constructing the Cincinnati Zoo Elephant Enclosure, combining functionality, durability, safety, and sustainability to create a habitat that meets the needs of both the elephants and their caretakers. Below, we explore the importance of concrete in various aspects of this project.
Structural Integrity and Durability
The Cincinnati Zoo Elephant Enclosure required a robust and long-lasting structure to withstand the weight, movements, and behaviors of elephants, some of the largest land animals in the world. Concrete’s inherent strength and durability made it the ideal choice for such a demanding application.
Load-Bearing Capacity: Elephants can weigh up to 14,000 pounds, exerting significant pressure on the ground and enclosure walls. Concrete’s ability to handle immense loads ensures that the structure remains stable and safe under these conditions.
Resistance to Wear and Tear: Elephants are known to rub against walls, dig at surfaces, and splash water, which can degrade weaker materials over time. Concrete’s abrasion resistance ensures the enclosure remains functional and intact for decades.
Weather Resistance: Cincinnati’s climate includes hot summers, cold winters, and varying levels of precipitation. Concrete’s resistance to extreme temperatures and moisture ensures the enclosure withstands seasonal changes without significant maintenance.
Safety for Elephants and Caretakers
Safety is paramount in designing any zoo habitat, particularly for animals as powerful as elephants. Concrete contributes to safety in several ways:
Smooth Surfaces: Properly finished concrete surfaces reduce the risk of injury to elephants by minimizing sharp edges and providing slip-resistant flooring. This is particularly important in wet areas, such as near water features.
Barrier Strength: Concrete walls and barriers are designed to contain elephants securely without posing a threat to their well-being. Reinforced concrete can absorb impacts if elephants push or lean against the walls, preventing breaches and injuries.
Zookeeper Safety: The enclosure includes areas where zookeepers interact with elephants. Concrete walls and barriers provide secure zones, ensuring the safety of both humans and animals during daily care routines.
Habitat Design and Enrichment
Creating a stimulating and naturalistic envi
Evidence
All concrete for the project was from Hilltop except the pre-cast cistern tank which was produced by StormTrap. StormTrap is manufactured in Ohio and headquarters are in Illinois.
The overall size for all of Elephant Trek is approximately 10 acres.
Volume of the StormTrap system for raw water is approximately 750,000 gallons with plastic pipes for filtered water that hold the additional 250,000 gallons
All the artificial rockwork shotcrete material was provided by Hilltop. The elephant pool in the photo holds approximately 250,000 gallons of water. The concrete for the filtration tanks inside the elephant barn were also provided by Hilltop for the project. They are large to handle the amount of waste from up to 12 elephants.
Design Team:
• Architect: Gregory Gates Architects
• Structural Engineer: Schaefer
• Civil Engineer: Arcadis (formerly IBI)
• Filtration Engineers: Satchell Engineering & Assoc. Inc.
• Electric Engineer: EN Engineering
• Plumbing Design / Build: Nelson Stark
• HVAC Design / Build Peck Hannaford & Briggs (PH+B)
10,000 CY of concrete were used in this project.
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