Civil Engineering/earth quack

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Expert: - 9/15/2002


Question
for designing gruond water tank or reservoir with 6 m high R.C ,sould i consider the earthquack forces ?  

Answer
Hi Maha,

If you are in a high-risk seismic zone, then yes, reservoirs should be designed against earthquakes. The forces imposed are as follows:

1. Inertia of the walls themselves
2. Additional inertial pressure from the water, as well as due to sloshing effect. (the maximum forces from the latter is equivalent to the water pressure on the full height of the wall, right up to the roof soffit)
3. The inertia of the roof slab, especially if this is fixed to the walls.
4. The inertia of the external soil pressure (if tank is buried), especially if there is a chance that the soil could liquefy (for example in landfill sites and/or areas with a high water ground water table).

There are formulae for all these additional design forces which you can look up in relevant textbooks. I hope this is of help.

Kind regards,

Arshad  

Civil Engineering

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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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