Concrete ramp with high retaining walls on both sides, leading upward toward an open area with trees visible in the background. The surface of the ramp has some wet patches and marks.

Concrete stairway between tall concrete walls leading upward, with industrial architectural styling and gray overcast sky visible above.

Concrete structure with tall retaining walls on both sides, forming a long channel meant for water testing of equipment.

Equipment Water-Test Pit

Located in Horicon, WI

This client is known and respected for rigorously testing the vehicles and equipment they produce. They hired Shive-Hattery to design a new deep-water test area on their research and development campus.

Unique considerations for this 300-foot, concrete drive-in “test pool” included:

Flared entrance sloping downward into the pool
Water pool with 3.5’ maximum depth
Elevated sidewalls (2’ or more above grade) and barriers to protect drivers and contain splashing
Sloped exit ramp from the pool
Retractable ladder for drivers to enter and exit the pool

Drivers’ and observers’ safety was paramount, as was environmental consideration. The project’s location near a sensitive environment called for careful planning to minimize disturbance and secure appropriate permitting.