Pool supported on suspended pool deck

[njkeng]

I was wondering if anyone had designed an above ground pool to sit on a suspended deck before? I was going to design a steel support frame to support the pool, but I am unsure of the spacing requirements to support the base of the pool or the type of flooring beneath the pol that would be appropriate for exposure to the chlorinated water splashing and typical external conditions (reinforced concrete slab?).

 

[XR250]

Depending on the depth, it could be built on a wood frame

 

[dcarr82775]

I have seen a few suspended pools (3-4). In my small smaple they are in concrete structures

 

[jayrod12]

I've seen both, for smaller pools (4-5 feet deep) I've seen wood, it's not much different area load than a hot tub, just larger in plan. The deeper suspended pools were all concrete.

 

[msquared48]

If you are in New Zealand, I would really be concerned over seismic effects with any such setup. I suspended my how tub (450 gal) over wood framing - 2X12 @12 spanning 10 feet, but my swim spa (2500 gal) I set directly on a slab on grade. I am in a high seismic area.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[njkeng]

Having worked in NZ in Christchurch, I was aware that the weight of the pool was going to dramatically contribute to the seismic weight of the structure and as a result would require cross bracing between the posts supporting the pool below. I think the other complication with this is that the deck is built on a slope which will be benched (cut and filled), so I will have to be aware of the varying heights at the base of the posts when resisting lateral loads and in ensuring similar bearing conditions for the foundations.

The pool has a capacity of 25,000L (about 25T) so I was thinking of having a concrete slab bearing on steel beams and posts. The concrete slab I thought would provide a 'stiff' uniform base to support the pool base and protect the underlying steel work from direct splashing of the chlorinated water from the pool. Do you think this is being to conservative? Is it less expensive to just provide a better surface treatment to the steel which supports a timber floor structure above?

 

[jayrod12]

depending how far down to solid bearing, it may be more prudent to pour concrete beams or walls for the perimeter right to the base and then pour a suspended structural slab to support the pool.

But that might be more cost prohibitive.