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Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

(OP)
A customer of ours wants to know how thick his concrete slab needs to be under his tank.  We know nothing about the soil...all we know is that it will be a uniform load of 5000psf under a steel base that is 11'-0" in diameter.  i am just looking for a general rule of thumb, or chart that can be used assuming good soil conditions and reinforced concrete.  It is all just general, and then customer knows that a Civil Eng. will have to be on site to determine exactly what is required.  please help and thanks!

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

are you sure you need a slab?  What about a ring wall?

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

(OP)
the customer is actually getting 4 of these tanks and would like to pour 1 large pad

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

This eighty foot tall tank needs more than a rule of thumb for size estimation.  Seismic loads and soil types could change the answer by a factor of three.  The area of bearing could be three times the area of the tank or require piles, soil improvement, stone columns or a combination methods.

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

After reflection and assuming poor bearing capacity, low seismic forces, 90 mph winds: I would estimate a slab 21" thick, 40 foot square for the four proposed tanks.

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

thread256-100291
thread194-87532

check out these threads.  Suggest either compacted granular material or ring wall.  

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

prepare a soils study and have a structural engnineer design the slab.  You will save yourself the headache and avoid any law suits

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

To have just one pad for the 4 tanks is quite cost due that tanks have to have a separation according with NFPA if the tanks are for combustible or any other inflammable liquid. The concrete slab is recommended for low bearing capacity of soil  . It has to be calculated by structural Eng for steel and thick, usually 1 feet and steel located in radial position.   

RE: Concrete Slab Thickness - Is there a general rule?

If you are an Engineer you should know that this requires an engineered solution, there are no thumb rule solutions in engineering

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