Customising QPOD’s Foundation Design with 200mm Ribs for a Specialised Workshop
Making It Work
Every project is unique and sometimes comes with it’s own unique set of challenges, and at QPOD, we pride ourselves on finding solutions that make the most of the client’s requirements and site conditions.
In this case, the client needed a foundation that could handle medium vehicle traffic in their workshop, specifically an empty 10-tonne dump truck.
Here’s how we customised their foundation approach to meet these needs.
The layout of the Specific Engineered Design (SED) that was achieved. The main workshop area (centre) required the wider 200mm ribs.
Rib Dimensions
Rib dimensions often plays a critical role in load distribution and overall foundation stability, especially for high-impact areas like workshops. In this project, the 200mm rib was governed by the client’s specific bearing pressure and load requirements. Typically, we work with a narrower rib width: however, by using a combination of fiber reinforcement and SE72 mesh, we were able to adapt our system to fit the project’s unique specifications.
Key Modifications and Innovations
Fiber Reinforcement to Simplify Steel Requirements:
- Since 200mm ribs are different to our usual specifications, we needed a solution that would still provide ample strength without overloading the structure with steel. By using fiber reinforcement, we avoided the need for stirrups and additional longitudinal bars, which would have been necessary in a conventional layout. This made installation more efficient and reduced material costs.
SE72 Mesh for Load Transfer:
- The SE72 mesh was crucial in providing sufficient flexural capacity. It enabled us to transfer loads effectively to the ribs, ensuring that the foundation could handle both distributed and point loads specified by AS/NZS 1170.1 for “medium vehicle traffic areas.”
Optimised Steel Placement in Beams and Thickenings:
- We designed 400mm perimeter beams to counteract the uplift forces from the steel portals, with the fiber reinforcement allowing us to minimise steel usage in these beams. The internal thickenings, at 400mm and 500mm widths, were tailored to support the second level, where additional load-bearing is required.
- Fiber reinforcement further enabled us to use 2-H12 bars in the perimeter beams and internal thickenings while maintaining 1-H12 in the rib bottoms, optimising the steel usage without sacrificing structural integrity.
Meeting Heavy-Duty Load Requirements
To meet the 10-tonne dump truck load requirement, this design had to meet a 5kPa distributed load and a 31kN point load, as per AS/NZS 1170.1 standards. With the combination of fiber reinforcement, tailored rib width, and optimised mesh placement, we achieved a foundation structure that’s both strong and adaptable, even with the wider 200mm ribs.
Adapting to Site-Specific Needs with QPOD’s Versatile Foundation System
By adapting our usual approach and leveraging our SED (Structural Engineering Design) service, we found innovative ways to maximise the performance of 200mm ribs, creating a custom foundation solution that met the client’s specific needs. Whether it’s unusual dimensions or challenging load requirements, our team is ready to engineer solutions that work for you.
Want to learn more about how our SED service can help with your next project? Click the link below and let’s explore!