Civil Engineering/Water tank

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Expert: - 8/22/2010


Question
I would like to ask you the following 2 questions about water tank:
1-What is the minimum cover for the R.C. wall of any water tank? Does it vary from inside and outside of the wall?
2-We have constructed a water tank with a wall of (80cm) but the wall has problem of lack of cover, Thus the wall's cover is (0.5cm) in some places of the tank ,how can we cure this problem without ruining the wall?
Thanks..

Answer
Hi Zana,

Normally the minimum cover for water tank (without special treatment) would be around 40 mm for the inner surface abd around 25mm for the external surface if it is not subjected to severe exposure. Cover of 5mm is very low indeed and depending on any issues to do with bond of rebar, you will have two alternatives:

1. Apply water-proof plaster (minumum 25-30mm) on the inner surface after preparing the original surface properly (e.g. scabble the surface or apply a bonding agent).

2. Apply a water-proofing bitumen/rubber membrane to the inner surface.

Either of the above will remedy your problems of rebar exposure as well as water-proofing.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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