Need a structural engineer

[toxic111]

For what you are looking for, try AMEC earth & environmental, they do concrete testing, check the yellow pages to see if there is one in Calgary.

I have used them in the past for concrete testing on foundations. They would probably be your best bet over a structural engineer (they usally have one on staff anyway)

Based on my experience in the industry, older concrete is on average than the current stuff. If you are looking at a standard basement floor, 180lbs/ft2 is not that much, even with no rebar, a garage floor is the same thinkness, and is holding much more per foot.

One thing to watch for is any existing cracking, that might indicate a problem, or it may not, as all concrete cracks, it is normal.

BTW I have over 15yrs experience in the design & building industry, so I do have a bit of an idea on what I am talking about.

You could also increase the loading by addind some sidewalk blocks under the tank, which would spread the load over a greater area.

Hope that helps some.

[michika]

Lets say there is one of these offices in Calgary, what or who do I ask for?

This is for a second floor condo, the whole structure is concrete, but I want it tested before I buy. What I want is to put a long and shallow tank, 8ft long, 3ft wide, and 18-24" deep. The 180 is a guess assuming everything; sump, etc.

When you say add sidewalk blocks under the tank what do you mean? Cinder blocks? I was hoping to do a powder coated steel stand. I don't want to spend the money and find out I can't put this system in. Is there another way to spread the load better? The floor would be finished with laminate (I think) or maybe its hardwood.

[toxic111]

I did some checking and there is a AMEC in Calgary, several offices anyway.

As for who or what to ask for, just say what you said at the start of the page, and they should be able to direct you to who you need to talk to.

I was thinking this was a basement, but it is a second floor condo. might be a little more difficult to do. If you had a copy of the orginal structural drawings, it would help.

I think you are looking a bit of a cost to find out. A open floor it is hard to say what loading it was designed for. A standard structural load for residential construction will be much less than what you may need.

As for the sidewalk blocks, again that was for a basement floor, they are about 24"x24"x2". They would work good in a basement but I don't think they would be best for a second floor.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by michika

Lets say there is one of these offices in Calgary, what or who do I ask for?

This is for a second floor condo, the whole structure is concrete, but I want it tested before I buy. What I want is to put a long and shallow tank, 8ft long, 3ft wide, and 18-24" deep. The 180 is a guess assuming everything; sump, etc.

When you say add sidewalk blocks under the tank what do you mean? Cinder blocks? I was hoping to do a powder coated steel stand. I don't want to spend the money and find out I can't put this system in. Is there another way to spread the load better? The floor would be finished with laminate (I think) or maybe its hardwood.

I'm not sure you care for my advice, but...

Sidewalk blocks are those solid concrete ones that are about 18x18x2"...something like that.

The condo should still be floor joists with a concrete slab over top.

With the 36" width, be sure you can get it in the door. You'll need a 38" door, as a 36" door has only a 35" opening because the jamb is narrower than the door.

A metal stand doesn't spread the weight out nearly as well as a wood stand, so that may contribute to your weight issue. Depending how the stand is made you may have as few as 4 weight points.

96x36x18 = 265 gallons, spread over 24 sqft = 11 g/sqft which = 92 lbs/sqft. If there is only 4 weight points this would be 550 lbs/sqft.

96x36x24 = 360 gallons, spread over 24 sqft = 15 g/sqft which = 125 lbs/sqft. If there is only 4 weight points this would be 750 lbs/sqft.

[mark]

condo?

Assuming you've checked with the board they're ok with a large tank before dropping cash on an inspection?

[skylord]

Another reefer from this board just went through this. The strata required him to have either a 2 milion or 5 milion insurance policy on his tank. And it was only a 160. They made it so bad for him that he sold everything even though he got the policy. I would be worried about the strata and talk to them before I talked to any one else.

Scott

[michika]

I have left a message with AMEC, and I am waiting on a return call.

I have discussed this with the condo association, and they have indicated that they pretty much don't care what I do. However, I am thinking I will have legal papers drawn up to reflect their okay-ness just in case. Are there any questions that I should be asking the Condo association specifically?

My insurance already covers my tank and any damages it may call, I will ask about it further though, in case I need additional coverage.