Groin vault analysis

[tebodm]

I'm trying to determine the safe load capacity for a concrete groin vault roof structure. The structure is a buried 1,000,000 gallon water vault from the early 1900s. The vault is constructed of concrete and has a groin vault roof/ceiling supported by columns at a nominal 13' o.c. I am trying to determine what sort of equipment and associated ground pressure we can drive over the vault. The ceiling is 6" and reinforcing is unknown. There is currently 2' of soil cover over the structure and the plan is to remove some of the soil cover (~16"), apply a sheet linear membrane to waterproof the ceiling and prevent ground water from seeping thru the cracks/joints and then re-topsoil over the membrane. Does anybody have a reference for the design or analysis of this type of structure? I know it must be stronger than a two-way flat slab. Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

[KootK]

Much stronger than a flat slab I would think. The only reference in my library that deals with this kind of thing is this: Link. It's all first principles stuff though, no code design.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[DBronson]

tebodm:

You might have a look at John Ochsendorf's web site at MIT. He builds on the work of Jaques Heyman that KootK linked to. While the main interest on the MIT site is masonry they have several discussions of the analysis of groin vaults. (See: Interactive Thrust Line Analysis for Masonry Structures)

Link

Regards,

DB

 

[tebodm]

Thanks for the links, I'll check them both out!