I have been asked to look at repairs to a damaged ladder/cage system on an existing elevated water tank. As a part of the repair, the owner has asked that a portion of the existing guardrail be removed in order to allow a step-thru at the catwalk level. The guardrail is a continuous ring around the perimeter of the tank, with diagonal bracing to the toe-plate at the outer side of the catwalk. The catwalk is supported by brackets at each tank leg and is rivited to the tank wall at the inside edge of the walk. It appears the trussed guard rail provides support for the outer edge of the catwalk, and that breaking the rail system would result in compromising both the support for the outer edge of the catwalk and the lateral support capacity of the guardrail. This tank was built by Pittsburgh Des Moines. Not sure of the date of construction, but most of the connections are rivited and the nuts are square.
At this point I'm just looking for someone familiar with the general design approach who can confirm or deny my preliminary assumptions, and possibly a reference to some design procedure information or a firm familiar with this type construction.
At this point I'm just looking for someone familiar with the general design approach who can confirm or deny my preliminary assumptions, and possibly a reference to some design procedure information or a firm familiar with this type construction.
