Bank Vault Design

[ntpe]

I am designing a small bank and I need to design a reinforced concrete vault. Does anyone know of any codes or standards governing the structural design of bank vaults?

 

[Ussuri]

Any chance you could send me the reinforcement drawings when you are done? Oh, and if you see fit to leave a few areas 'under reinforced' it would be much appreciated.

 

[jgailla]

I don't know about any codes or standards, but I built a bank several years ago. The vault was a prefab unit that sat on the slab. The slab was thickened to 18" for a distance of about 2 feet beyond the footprint of the prefab unit. There were three staggered layers of #8 rebar spaced at 6" o/c both ways. It was pretty neat because when it was done, you could stand on top of the mat and see 1 square inch of ground below from the way the rebar was staggered. I can't remember what kind of concrete was used. The prefab vault then was anchored to the thickened slab. The vault manufacturer probably has a standard recommendation.

 

[twinnell]

I designed a bank a few years ago also, and the vault and the slab were both done by the vault manufacturer. Slab by others.

 

[UcfSE]

Vaults are often prefabricated. The manufacturer usually has information for the slab design. I usually see 12" slab with 3 layers of reinforcement at a tight spacing with bars staggered to the ones below. I would check with the architect for design intentions.

 

[msquared48]

I've actually seen plans with C4 charges embedded in the walls in strategic locations wired to the reinforcing grid so that if the grid is interrupted anywhere, the charges blow killing the robbers.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[ntpe]

Thanks Mike, but that seems kind of harsh. I was thinking of 12" of concrete w/ two curtains of steel.

 

[msquared48]

12" with three curtains staggered each way, #5 bar minimum.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[dicksewerrat]

I like the C4 idea. Could I use that on my front door for salesmen. That said I'd use #8's staggered three layers 6" oc. one at 2 " one at 6', last at 10". Use 3/4 minus aggregate but use a 5,000 psi mix.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com