help with structural calculations.
help with structural calculations.
(OP)
Hey guys, I've been asked to provide structural calculations for containers that have been braced to hold water. I know that the way the system is designed works, I just need to prove that it does. I just don't have the vocabulary to look up what I need online to find the equations and I need some help with this if possible
I have a 40 foot container that has been reinforced externally with a perimetral 100x50 beam of 5mm (or 1/4 in) rectangular steel at one meter from floor level and internally braced with 20mm diameter rod under tension between the walls at the same height. The floor is held up with 2x6 C-section channel every 30 cms that span the container widthwise and a 150x50 rectangular beam of 1/4 in thick steel that spans down the middle of the container widthwise. maximum unsupported span at any point in these calculations is 2.4 meters
I know that water pressure is nowhere near the yield strength of the steel rod inside the container, so that isn't a problem.
What I need to know what equation to use in order to prove that the steel beams and channel won't buckle or bend under the weight of the water. Max water level is 2.4 meters. Can you please point me in the right direction for this?
Thanks so much.
I have a 40 foot container that has been reinforced externally with a perimetral 100x50 beam of 5mm (or 1/4 in) rectangular steel at one meter from floor level and internally braced with 20mm diameter rod under tension between the walls at the same height. The floor is held up with 2x6 C-section channel every 30 cms that span the container widthwise and a 150x50 rectangular beam of 1/4 in thick steel that spans down the middle of the container widthwise. maximum unsupported span at any point in these calculations is 2.4 meters
I know that water pressure is nowhere near the yield strength of the steel rod inside the container, so that isn't a problem.
What I need to know what equation to use in order to prove that the steel beams and channel won't buckle or bend under the weight of the water. Max water level is 2.4 meters. Can you please point me in the right direction for this?
Thanks so much.






RE: help with structural calculations.
Second, any beam will deflect under load, any beam. And there are equations for that too. The question is how much can you tolerate?
Hate to say it, but you need to engage a structural engineer here. Sorry.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: help with structural calculations.
I basically need to know what the yield strength of different cross sections and materials are for the size of these beams. I can calculate the pressures and forces involved with no problem, I just have no clue how to express the strength of the beams in relation to those forces.
RE: help with structural calculations.
How is the keel beam supported? Is the container portable or is it permanently affixed to something? If it is stationary, how is it attached to its support? If it is lifted, where are the lugs and can it be lifted when fully loaded?
A sketch would help as well.
RE: help with structural calculations.
Personally I wouldnt dream of getting involved in a bioengineering problem, and structural engineering can be just as complicated. It is the things that the untrained eye doesnt see that will get you in the most trouble.
RE: help with structural calculations.
i figure that a volume of 300,000 lts needs a bit more care and concern
RE: help with structural calculations.
It is ethically wrong to practice outside your area of knowledge, and this is way beyond that by the looks of things. I am sure that you would be capable given enough time to study this but it is beyong your chosen area of engineering.
Also, if you are in california then this could require a seismic deign by an SE. That would then be beyond even my experience, though at least I am aware of the extent of my ignorance on that.
RE: help with structural calculations.
RE: help with structural calculations.
so, don't get a lawyer, get an engineer
RE: help with structural calculations.
" As a doctor you generally will kill only one person at once, as an engineer you can kill thousands of people!"