ferrocement water tanks

huangyhg

ferrocement water tanks
i have a client who wants a water tank of 45m3 so he figured dims of 5m by 3m by 3m for an underground tank. now structurally a water tank is far more efficient if it is cylindrical but then formwork is much more difficult. i have a very good book on diy ferrocement tanks but it is very much a diy book. how do we as engineers spec hand placed or sprayed on concrete and can we be as sure of it's quality as conventional concrete? if i recommend to the client to use a circular tank i will have to produce the specs and drawings. this is hardly any different to a swimming pool with a concrete slab for a roof and for swimming pools the swimming pool guys just get on with it and do it themselves.
carl bauer
what is the question?  shotcrete or gunite applications are common for many applications.  factory manufactured glass reinforced plastic of the stated dimensions are very economical and can be delivered in a short time.
yes, i could use a grp tank but it would need a cover as they want to landscape over it. also i would be worried about soil pressures on it when it is empty. the question really is how is the quality controlled on shotcrete or gunite. i have never had experience of using it and neither will most local contractors. like i say the closest we get are the swimming pool contractors who apply the mortar to the reinforcing mesh against the soil by hand.
carl bauer
you could probably buy a tank.  
the standard elliptical domed fiberglass tank has sufficient strength for a moderate bury, (not truck traffic).  the walls and roof may be easily strengthened with ribs or thickened section.