horse stable design loading

huangyhg

horse stable design loading
i am involved in converting a second floor space for use as a horse stable in manhattan for storing horses used in the carriage rides around the park.  the building code does not address this use in it's allowable design live loads.  my inclination is to use 100psf for yards and terraces but would appreciate any input on this.  the carriages and hay will all be stored on the first floor.  
also,i need to specify an applied waterproofing over a sloped topping slab that will withstand horse urine.  anyone specify something for vet/kennel project that they were happy with?
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ronster
i have no direct experience in this area, but a google search on "precast planks for cattle sheds" yields a lot of fascinating info.  i spent a glorious hour wandering through it.
good luck
well, "this is a horse of a different color!"  
first of all, i would guess that the design floor loading for a parking garage would be applicable since you are parking the horse drawn vehicles there (along with the acutal "horsepower").  most codes call out something on the order of 50 - 75 psf for that.  my personal opinion is that 100 psf might be a little high over the whole area.  i would would layout the storage areas and calculate what the expected hay load is (what the hay! <g>).  i would think that 100 - 125 psf in the storage areas would be adequate.  one thing else to think about is in the event of a fire, the fire protection sprinkler system would wet down any stored hay, which would make it pretty heavy in its wet condition.
for the floor covering, i would think a 1/8" to 1/4" epoxy coating would be just fine, similar to what is used in a food prepartion area.  they are waterproof, chemical and acid resistant, so cleaning would be easy and sanitary.
best of luck!
the hay and carriages would all be down on the first floor slab on grade not on the framed slab.  i tend to think the 100 psf is conservative but i don't see anything that would allow me to go lower.
i would be concerned localize stresses would exceed the bond strength of the epoxy causing chiping and delamination.  have you considered a pvc membrane with a light weight cement topping?
good news is, however you design it, it will be stable. always a good thing...(i can hear the red flags waving in the breeze)
i have to differ with boo1's comment on both the epoxy and the lightweight concrete.  
1.  the bond strength of the epxoy is higher than the tensile strength of the concrete.
2.  the suitability of the lightweight concrete for use in your "stable" will depend on its strength and unit weight. it it is too low it will not stand up to the traffic.
i really believe your best bet is standard weight concrete with an epoxy topping.  call some epoxy topping installers and get information on the suitablilty and cost.
i was planning to use an epoxy over a normal weight topping slab pitched to drains on top of the existing slab.  looking for any specific product referals to save me some leg work researching them.  i do not like to place topping slabs over membranes as the topping slabs are more prone to problems and if there is a leak it is much harder to find and repair.