Building Research Advisory Board Slab-On-Grade Foundation Design for PEMB Building

[Stenbrook]

I have been given two options for the foundation of a PEMB (Pre-Engineered Metal Building) expansion onto an existing church. The options are a Post-Tension Slab-On-Grade and the other is the Building Research Advisory Board (BRAB) procedure outlined in their report. Typically for PEMB structures, I would use a slab-on-grade with grade beams and drilled piers at the columns. Occasionally I have been give footings as an option, but with most my projects in the Houston area (near the ocean) the soil is usually pretty bad as far as movement is concerned so deep foundations are usually the way to go. My concern is using the suggested stiffened or post-tension slabs with a PEMB building with large uplift loads and whether or not these are feasible options. Has anyone used these types of foundation on a PEMB and have any suggestions for the design? I also believe that the Geotech Engineer produced their report thinking the structure was going to be a wood building and maybe those recommendations will change if the building is not wood. I will most likely be contacting the Geotech Engineer, but I wanted to know all my options before I do.

Thank you in advance for any help you may have!

 

[dcarr82775]

I wouldn't use the p.t.s.o.g. for a PEMB. The loading from a PEMB are pretty different than those assumed in the PTI method.