Live Load on Security Fences. 8

[J1A1]

What kind of live load would you apply to a 14'-0" tall security fence? I usually try to incorporate the handrail loading (50 plf or 200#-300# concentrated) but it doesn't apply intuitively in this instance.

 

[phamENG]

Depends on the threat. Are you keeping out a crush of rioters, a lone car bomb (if so, what size car?), or a tractor trailer?

 

[r13]

Agree with the comment above.

 

[bridgebuster]

The attached may help

 

[bridgebuster]

The attached may help as well

 

[r13]

Wow, 83 pages, the design has really evolved

The second one is even longer, 289 pages!

 

[dik]

Like with attackresistant entrances... you have to know the level of attack.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?
-Dik

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

Great links there bridgebuster! Trust an engineer to write 289 pages on fencing!!

 

[Ron247]

Make it an electric fence with enough voltage and it goes from Live Load to Dead Load. Dead Load is easier to figure.

 

[J1A1]

There isn't a serious threat level as this is an unoccupied area of campus. Mainly just a security fence in front of a loading dock.

 

[canwesteng]

Just like a chain link fence then? I've never even designed them for any load, I just crib the local DOT standard (not even reproduce it just call it out on the drawing).

 

[r13]

That's what I thought most office will do - copy/call out the standard.

 

[J1A1]

No, it's a 14'-0" tall HSS picket fence and gate. I already submitted to the B.D. applying the 300# concentrated at various locations simultaneously. It was going to work either way as this was a very stout fence but I was just wondering if there was a typical way of loading these.

 

[Ron247]

Watch the "Otherwise Peaceful Protests" and you will see what Live Load those fences have to endure.

 

[r13]

Funny

 

[J1A1]

I genuinely enjoy that I expected this to be a simple and short answer, but instead, I got a 290-page paper on designing for military-level threats and suggestions to design for thousands of protesters hahaha. I should've been more specific.

 

[r13]

Now you know the consequence of "ask the engineers", hahaha By the way, you did consider wind load, right?

 

[Ron247]

The fact your fence is 14' tall makes me think more than a simple fence to keep out drunk college students. Why is it so tall if it appears to be a simple loading dock. The Area 51 fence is probably only 10' tall.

 

[phamENG]

Ron247 - the area 51 fence is also defended by death rays stolen from the alien space ship. This one is probably unguarded.

 

[J1A1]

The fence is 14' tall because the architects for google think it looks official. The fence is blocking a food delivery route, so unless a gaggle of programmers are really hungry I don't think there'll be an issue with security breaches.