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Concrete plinth under storage tanks 1

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Tommy Tangohau

Mechanical
Jun 29, 2022
1
Is there a formula used to calculate the dimensions of a concrete plinth or what mass of concrete required to support a liquid storage tank that is 4.5m in diameter by 7.5m in height and holds 120 tonnes of liquid solution?
The current slab that the tank will sit on is 15cm thick.
 
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There are many things to consider. A structural or geotechnical engineer would be best suited to handle this.
 
yes there are many formulas and things to consider. which is why you employ people who know what they are doing.
 
What's wrong with the current slab?

But you need to know if the tank is going to settle or not and for that you need geotech info of the soil under the current slab.

What's the design of the slab? What was its design load?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
It is also important to know if the tank has anchor bolts and is subject to wind or seismic loads

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
 
It is not a concrete mass required problem. The foundation must distribute the load of the tank wall, roof and contents to the soil without exceding the soils bearing capacity.

I would think that at the very minimum 30 to 40 cm would be needed, but that depends on the soil type, allowable bearing capacity, settlement prediction and the wind, seismic loads applied.

A black swan to a turkey is a white swan to the butcher ... and to Boeing.
 

I don't know what the site conditions or loading require, but a 150mm slab seems to be awfully thin...

So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik
 
The issue is not so much one of bearing pressure for what is a relatively small tank, but you get a concentration of force on the edge of the tank where the vertical walls sit which needs more support. Also loads from wind and possibly seismic, plus the slab needs to be at least 2m more in diameter.

But that extra load on the outside of the tank is what will kill your slab which is way too thin.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
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