The sole purpose of employing Structural Engineering is to insure that the loads being exerted on the pools 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; seismic zone proximity, hydro-static water conditions and a host of other site specific conditions may exist.
An essential component to swimming pool structural design may involve reviewing the results of Geotechnical Report (Soils Report) as these findings (test borings, soil sampling, etc.) will direct the prescribed remedy for directing the Structural Engineering applications.
Geotechnical Engineering…
A swimming pools structural intent must collaborate with the approach and application of principled geotechnical science, in order to provide the anticipatable level of reinforced structural integrity.
Two Approaches to Swimming Pool Structural Engineering…
A common approach is to employ a “Standard Boiler Plate Steel Schedule” in providing the directions for the swimming pools steel reinforcement spacing, sizing, gunite wall thickness, etc..
Boiler Plate Engineering
In a Boiler Plate approach,…hypothetical calculations are inferred to rather than assigned to explicit site specific conditions. Therefore, certain unknowns may not be addressed as part of this approach.
Overall, this approach may be adequate in providing structural integrity but, absent the Engineer of Record’s (EOR) site specific on-site verification that these standards have been authenticated as being applicable to your project, you lose the benefit of those second set of eyes!
Hillsides and other unique building locations can pose problematic conditions that need to be addressed. The Structural Engineer is in charge of providing directions for a principled approach for the conditional pool shell’s sustainable stability.
The structural prescriptions for a swimming pool are an evaluation for the conditions that exist and by performing calculations that can assumed a conditional awareness for such stresses and loads that may exert pressures on the pool’s shell a remedy can be substantiated under these conditions.
In some situations the assumed conditions at the site can change and as a result of excavation new discoveries can necessitate revisiting the original assumptions.
In such cases, in-field observations during the construction process should become prerequisite even if not mandated by building officials, as the (Engineer of Record (EOR) must provide a visual verification that the prescribed steel reinforcement placement’s have been placed appropriately prior to Gunite / Shotcrete applications.
In-field observations during the construction process even when utilizing a Boiler Plate Steel Reinforcement Schedule” may also be well advised, as the assumptions being made can turn out to be inadequate.
A More Responsible Approach….
Additionally, this 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!
Fair Warning!….
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 nullify the Engineer’s responsibility.
Another approach to obtaining 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!
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!
“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.”
Structural Engineering…
Any new swimming pool and or new spa being constructed of steel reinforced concrete will need to be constructed in accordance with a Steel Schedule and Construction Details.
Engineering Construction Details…
This information must be accompanied by calculations and wet stamped authentication by the Engineer of Record (EOR), stating that he / she is currently licensed in the State of the work being performed and that that supportive requirements will meet or exceed the site specific and or the local building departments requirements.
Please complete the form below in order to begin our Level-1 design process. Additionally, we will need you to “drag & drop in the box provided below on our webform or email us a pdf.file copy of your property’s Plot Plan.