Foundation for vessel

[302Hugo]

I am looking to install a separator vessel (cylinder vessel on it's side) and it weighs roughly 1,200 lbs, and will basically be supported by by 6" wide flange on either end.

I am trying to figure out what the best (economics taken into account) base would be for it. The 3 options would be steel piles, cement slab, or compacted gravel (with concrete patio slabs for extra base). Obviously for support the best option is piles, but what do I need to take into account when deciding to construct a cement slab (could be expensive?) or just use compacted gravel? I assume when I talk to the contractor I can get them to compact to a certain pressure rating? Am I right, when I assume you can usually use gravel up to a certain pressure rating and then you have to go to a cement pad?

The second part to my question has to do with rebar. When is it needed? If I was to pour a concrete slab for this vessel how do I determine how thick I need it and if it needs rebar? I assume these are all questions I can ask the contractor, but I'd like to get some info first.

Thanks!

 

[lovethecold]

1200 pounds is not very heavy, what would neet to be answered is how much movement can be tolerated by the tank. In other words, will the seperator vessel be hard connected to piping or other structure? Or will these be soft connected and be able to tolerate a fair amount of movement?

If movement will be a problem, ie you want to minimize movement, than the type of soil and soil strength will need to be considered. Are you in an area that freezes during the winter? Then depth of frost penetration will also be a factor.

Although, even in a worst case scenario, supporting this should not be a problem. I am assuming this is at a refinery or similar facility where it has been established that the soils are fairly competent. For a 1200 pound tank it would not take much.

 

[swearingen]

Cement slabs can't support much weight at all. That powder just doesn't have much strength. Now concrete - when you mix that powder with aggregate and water - that's good stuff. ;->

What are the dimensions of the tank? If it is mounted low to the ground and the flanges on the ends don't allow it to tip over very easily, a 4" to 6" slab on just about any soil would hold up just fine. You could call a guy that does driveways to come and pour a small, reinforced slab for quite a reasonable price.


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[swearingen]

One other thing to think about:

A Ford Expedition weighs over 5900 lbs. If its weight was evenly distributed (which it isn't), the corner loads would be 1475 lb on the contact patch of a tire. That's why I suggested a driveway guy - it would be cheap and almost certainly good enough for what you're doing.


If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

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