23' span sliding deck over pool?? 1

[fishandfly]

Do you guys think it's remotely possible to have a 23x23 box that rolls off a pool? It wouldn't need to support additional weight and would only serve as a cover. Youtube video of it

 

[dik]

It's possible, but, you'd have to put it on rollers with a track to keep it from 'skewing'. If used as a deck, you may have to design it for 100 psf LL and you should check with the authority having jurisdiction. How were you planning to move it? motorised? Problems with waterproofing and sealing.

Dik

 

[JAE]

...and problems with chlorine eating away at your Home Depot nails.

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[MotorCity]

If they can build movable roofs over stadiums, surely the same can be done over a swimming pool. I'd be concerned that some kid could be trapped under it by some of his buddies moving the deck over the pool while he was still in the pool. Seems like some sort of stopping device just short of the end of the pool would be a good idea to prevent one from being trapped in the pool.

 

[SLTA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rha-6qG4OQ

It's a Wonderful Life!

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[JoelTXCive]

I think you could do it:

Assume a 25ft simple span and W-section beams spaced at 6' O.C.

1.6*100psf*6ft*(25ft)^2 / 8 = 75 kip-ft

Quick and dirty I think a W12x16 would work with lateral braces every 3ft.

It does seem like the design from the video could pop off the track very easily.

 

[JoelTXCive]

I didn't check the deflection though...that might be an issue.

 

[fishandfly]

Thanks guys. I mentioned this to my local engineer and he gave me a price estimate. It seems simple to me but the high cost of the beams and the need for composite decking killed the idea.

 

[XR250]

What code requires 100psf for residential decks?
I use 40psf for everything but commercial.
The biggest cost was likely not the beams or decking but getting a reliable trolley system to work.

 

[dik]

I don't know of one, but, due to the hazard of collapse, you might want to treat it as an assembly type of occupancy.

Dik

 

[XR250]

Shouldn't that deck have a guardrail? That would certainly spoil the fun and aesthetic, but likely required regardless on the water side.

 

[jayrod12]

Shouldn't that deck have a guardrail? That would certainly spoil the fun and aesthetic, but likely required regardless on the water side.

I would argue no. Less than 24" drop for starters. Wouldn't you then require guardrails continuously around all pools?

 

[canwesteng]

100 psf should be for balconies, not sure that would apply here though.

 

[JoelTXCive]

We argue about the 100psf deck loading in our office all the time.

40psf is definitely for residential decks.

If the deck is NOT classified as residential, then the non-consensus opinion in our office is that the deck is an 'assembly area' and thus the 100psf loading is appropriate.

I say non-consensus because some engineers in our office do a strict 100psf live load, and others are okay with reducing the loading if its a low occupancy non-residential deck.

 

[XR250]

I would argue no. Less than 24" drop for starters. Wouldn't you then require guardrails continuously around all pools?

Good point. I guess if you can't swim you should not get near the edge of a pool - deck or not.