3.) Steel Reinforcement

Click on the image below to view the before and after erection of this pool’s steel reinforcements…

Steel Reinforcement Erection - After

The Structural Skeleton

Different approaches to swimming pool structural engineering…

The Swimming Pool’s design intent must collaborate with the approach and application of principled science in order to provide the anticipatable level of reinforced structural integrity.

Structural engineering is generally quoted on the basis of a “Lump-Sum Quotation” and is determined after the conclusion of all preliminary Pool / Wall Design requirements are established on the Topography Plan;

SWIMMING POOL EXCAVATION MARK-OUTCost-Risks-Benefits

A common approach is to employ a “Standard Boiler Plate Steel Schedule” in providing the directions for the swimming pool’s steel reinforcement density and sizing of placements.

Two Approaches to Swimming Pool Structural Engineering…

1.) Boiler Plate Engineering

In such an approach,…hypothetical calculations are inferred rather than assigned to explicit site specific conditions. Therefore, certain unknowns may not be addressed as part of this less expensive approach to the structural requirements.

Geotechnical Investigations

This information must be accompanied by an Engineer’s calculations and wet stamped authentication by that Engineer, stating that he / she is currently licensed in the State of the work being performed and that that supportive requirements will meet of exceed the the local building departments requirements.

Overall, this approach may be adequate in providing structural integrity but, absent the Engineer of Record’s (EOR) site specific verification that these standards have been authenticated as being applicable to your project, you lose the benefit of those second set of eyes!

2.) Site Specific Engineering

Geotechnical Investigatons____Geotechnical Investigatons

The sole purpose of employing Structural Engineering is to insure that the loads being exerted on the Pool’s Gunite / Shotcrete Shell can withstand the site’s conditional forces.

Different soil textures, proximity to building foundations, toe and heal hillsides locations, subsoil strata composition, hydro-static water conditions and a host of other site specific conditions may exist.

Absent In-Field Observations that can verify that the prescribed steel reinforcement placement’s have been deemed “site specific” the “Boiler Plate Steel Reinforcement Schedule” may be inadequate.

Additionally, this second level of over-viewing provides you with the added “no wiggle room” insurance, that is the intention of securing the services of Structural Engineering, in the first place!

In disconnecting the EOR from the In-field Observation obligation of inspecting the erected steel reinforcement’s placements, it opens a gap for where the responsibility of the structural integrity rest.

Improper placements can result in structural failure. Also,…evolving site conditions that were previously unknown may change the prescription for steel reinforcements placements and sizing.

In failing to notify the Structural Engineer and involve his or her remedied diagnoses, it can nullified the Engineer’s responsibility.

A More Responsible Approach….

The best approach to obtaining the greatest benefits from Structural Engineering services is to connect the Structural Engineer to the responsibility of his or her duties.

Making provisions for the Engineer to review the plans as part of the planning process and having “In-Field Observations” performed during the construction process can be a crucial component to providing you with the assurances that come from those qualified second set of eyes!

Structural Breach

NOTE: In the placement of steel reinforcements you have one chance to get it right and structural breach is a costly and very inconvenient price to pay for something so easily avoided.

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Aquatic Mechanical Engineering  (800) 766-5259