Determining Construction of Existing Slab
Determining Construction of Existing Slab
(OP)
What are the options for determining the construction of an existing slab on grade and its adequacy to support a new steel vessel? In particular, how can one best determine the thickness, compressive strength, and presence of reinforcement?
Some background: I am coordinating the installation of a new steel tank (7.5 foot diameter) on an existing slab on grade, which has historically been home to all sorts of vessels with seemingly greater resultant applied stress (e.g., steel vessels on beam supports or much larger poly vessels with flat bottom on slab surface. Instead of moving forward with the installation based solely on the fact that previous equipment has not been a problem, I want to "do it right" and see what the slab is truly (safely) capable of. The site is in San Diego, CA.
Thanks All.
Some background: I am coordinating the installation of a new steel tank (7.5 foot diameter) on an existing slab on grade, which has historically been home to all sorts of vessels with seemingly greater resultant applied stress (e.g., steel vessels on beam supports or much larger poly vessels with flat bottom on slab surface. Instead of moving forward with the installation based solely on the fact that previous equipment has not been a problem, I want to "do it right" and see what the slab is truly (safely) capable of. The site is in San Diego, CA.
Thanks All.





RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
There are some non-destructive mehtods to determine slab thickness and strength, but a core would provide much better data.
The core also allows the subgrade conditions, which also effect slab capacity, to be determined.
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
The only thing that worries me about basing my comfort on the previous loading is that those scenarios only took into account static dead loads. Is this slab adequate for any additional loading (e.g., seismic)?
Currently looking for a structural engineer to speak with...
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Determining Construction of Existing Slab
Again - I am just trying to develop an understanding of what the theoretical capacity is so that I (and my client) can feel comfortable that this construction is sound.