Bank Vault Loads 1

[KootK]

I'm working on a floor system below a bank vault. What have others used for live loads is such a situation? Perhaps the 250 psf required for heavy storage in the IBC?

 

[SperlingPE]

Recently designed a headquarters bank. The vault was on first floor (above the basment). The vault walls, doors, and ceiling were supplied by a vault company. The walls and ceiling were precast concrete. The general contractor provided the floor which consisted of a 12" thick concrete slab with (3) layers of bars in both directions. The bars were off-set four inches. The reinforcing was set this way for security reasons. Embed plates were provide at the perimeter for securing the walls of the vault. This vault was going to have safety deposit boxes all the way around the vault. I checked the vault floor based on the actual dead load of the boxes, loaded weight of the boxes and an additional live load (as well as the dead load of the concrete). The additional live load may be very conservative but my boss insisted on extra capacity because the future use may change or heavier equipment may be put in the vault.

 

[dicksewerrat]

Maybe they should put some ductile iron pipe filled with high density concrete in the floor too.

 

[LPPE]

I'd say 250 psf sounds appropriate.
I was involved with a bank vault demolition, and it was 18 inches thick (all 6 sides) with 3 layers of #5 bars at 4" o.c.. The demolition contractor was not too happy.
From what I understand, the rebars at 4" o.c. are so that a) you cant 'blow up' the vault, and b) if you could, you'd never get your hands through the twisted rebar mess remaining.