Steel span question 2

[thetankguy]

Hello,

I sold a set of gas storage vessels to a company. They poured two footings 32 feet apart to support it. Then they changed their mind and ordered 22 foot vessels. I want to just bolt down some 32 foot w-beams and set the vessels in the middle. Can someone tell me where to find a table that would size the beams or could someone tell me what size and how many I would need. There are no moving parts. It is just a stationary storage vessel. The beams will be bolted do the footings and to the vessels in two places. The vessels weigh 45,000 pounds full

Thanks,
thetankguy

 

[desertfox]

Hi thetankguy

Can you provide a sketch of how and where these vessels are mounted on the beams and how the beams are supported from the underside please, only its not quite clear to me from your description.

desertfox

 

[hokie66]

I want to pour another footing. Then you won't have to find a structural engineer to do your design.

 

[thetankguy]

Here are more details. The footings are 1'x6' and there are two at 32' on center. The original vessel was 32 feet long. The new vessels are 21'6" long and have support saddles at the ends. I want to bolt down some 32' beams to the existing footings that I can center the new 21'6" vessels on, so when I'm done, there will be about 5 feet of extra beam sticking out at each end. I need to know what type and how many beams I need to span 32 feet supported only at the ends that can hold 45,000 pounds sitting on top of them in the middle.

I don't have a drawing program, but I hope that explains it better.

Thank you!
thetankguy

 

[thetankguy]

I'm trying to avoid a third footing because we would have to get a new permit, dig to 4 foot freeze, customer doesn't want to do it, etc.

 

[JAE]

Go hire a structural engineer - this site isn't for free engineering services.

 

[desertfox]

Hi thetankguy

Have a look at this link it lists maximum bending moments for different beam sections, whilst this will hopefully get you started and some idea of the sections its probably worth getting the final advice from a structural engineer as others have suggested.

http://csbluebook.steel-sci.org/Support/Entry.htm

desertfox

 

[JAE]

thetankguy - not trying to be difficult here - but sizing a beam for a 45,000 lb. tank involves more than looking up the size in a table.

You have beam stability issues, support design, connections, lateral forces from seismic loads, etc.

 

[abusementpark]

I agree with JAE here. There are quite a few things that need to be considered. In particular, it sounds to me like there will be eccentric loading on footing due the direct bearing connection you are proposing. The beam will tend to concentrate the majority of the load on the edge of the footing.

 

[thetankguy]

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I used to work with wood and there are span tables readily available, so I was hoping steel would be similar. Obviously there is a lot more to it. It sounds like even though it is a major pain in the neck to do it, it will probably be cheaper to pour another footing.