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Aluminum geodesic dome roof weight 1

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payaam2000

Mechanical
Nov 14, 2011
44
Hi

I am dealing with cost estimation of a 72 meter diameter storage tank which its roof could be geodesic aluminum dome roof. Woud any one please tell me how much will be the weight of roof.( order of magnitude and approximately)
If any body knows a sample as installed geodesic aluminum dome roof with any diameter, please note its weight. Thank you
 
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I've got dome drawings that show 2.45 and 2.57 psf for 120' domes, 2.68 for a 105', 2.23 for a 60' and 2.62 for a 140'.
Since it varies by vendor, loads, specifications and location, I'd use 3 pounds per square foot
 
Thank you IFRs

Great guide

Sufficient for cost estimation
 
IFRs

Hi,
I have a question.
Is 3 lb per ft2, for Aluminuim?
It seems heavier than expected?

Thank you
 
An API 650 storage tank aluminum dome that conforms to Annex G is "a fully triangulated aluminum space truss with the struts joined at points arrayed on the surface of a sphere. Aluminum closure panels are firmly attached to the frame members. The roof is attached to and supported by the tank at mounting points equally spaced around the perimeter of the tank." The closure panels are minimum 0.050" thick and their smallest altitude (distance from one corner perpendicular to the opposite side) is generally limited by the width of sheet available in coil form from the mill, usually 109" or so (note: these "panels shall be of one-piece aluminum sheet" so joining them together to make larger triangles is not allowed). So, the density of structural members is reasonably high, they are usually custom I-beams, and their depth (usually governed by buckling considerations) typically starts around 6" and can get to 10" or more. API 650 specifies a minimum and maximum radius. The struts around the edge and where the dome is relatively flat gain cross sectional area and depth quickly. Most domes weigh less than 3 psf, but your request seemed to be for an easy to remember ballpark number that should be conservative. There are also appurtenances that can add weight (stairway to center, nozzles, skylights, etc). For a number closer to reality for a given size and location contact a vendor...
 
IFR

Thank you for your comprehensive explanation
 
IFRs

Do you have any suggestion regarding cost of procurement/construction of these type of roofs?
I mean if aluminuim price is a$ per ton, then how much cost could it be supposed for peocurement and construction of roof.
Thanks
 
So much depends on the details - size, specifications, location, loads, labor (union vs non-union), installed vs material only, vendor inventory level, shop and field availability, your schedule, market volatility, install on a new tank, old tank, EFR tank, laydown area availability, time of year (weather), does it need to sustain internal pressure, etc. Best bet is to contact vendors in your state/province/country. Sorry to be of such little help...
 
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