Good morning,
I plan to install an aquarium in the future house with dimensions (L x W x H) of approximately 50 x 60 x 50 cm (20 x 24 x 20 inches) and a volume of 140 liters (37 gallons). Along with the matching cabinet and filled with water, I estimate the total weight to be around 220 kilograms (485 pounds) on a base area of 0.3 m² (3.2 ft²).
The floor will be a reinforced concrete slab with underfloor heating and a flowing screed, covered with laminate flooring.
Can I safely place this relatively small aquarium without concerns, or should I expect that the screed could be damaged by the permanent point load?
I plan to install an aquarium in the future house with dimensions (L x W x H) of approximately 50 x 60 x 50 cm (20 x 24 x 20 inches) and a volume of 140 liters (37 gallons). Along with the matching cabinet and filled with water, I estimate the total weight to be around 220 kilograms (485 pounds) on a base area of 0.3 m² (3.2 ft²).
The floor will be a reinforced concrete slab with underfloor heating and a flowing screed, covered with laminate flooring.
Can I safely place this relatively small aquarium without concerns, or should I expect that the screed could be damaged by the permanent point load?
D
Doc.Schnaggls16 Nov 2016 11:55Hello,
In our previous apartment, we had a 180-liter (48-gallon) aquarium standing on an almost identical ceiling structure—the only difference was that we had parquet flooring instead of laminate.
Over the course of 12 years, no damage occurred to the ceiling or the floor.
Now, in our house, we have a waterbed on the upper floor with two “mattresses,” each containing 800 liters (211 gallons). These 1.6 tons (1.6 metric tons) of water only brought a wry smile from our architect and structural engineer—according to them, a 60 kg (132 lb) woman wearing stiletto heels exerts more pressure per square centimeter on the floor than the waterbed.
We still have some steel beams in the ceiling between the ground floor and upper floor, but only because we have a very open ground floor.
Regards,
Dirk
In our previous apartment, we had a 180-liter (48-gallon) aquarium standing on an almost identical ceiling structure—the only difference was that we had parquet flooring instead of laminate.
Over the course of 12 years, no damage occurred to the ceiling or the floor.
Now, in our house, we have a waterbed on the upper floor with two “mattresses,” each containing 800 liters (211 gallons). These 1.6 tons (1.6 metric tons) of water only brought a wry smile from our architect and structural engineer—according to them, a 60 kg (132 lb) woman wearing stiletto heels exerts more pressure per square centimeter on the floor than the waterbed.
We still have some steel beams in the ceiling between the ground floor and upper floor, but only because we have a very open ground floor.
Regards,
Dirk
Thank you for your reply, but I don’t think a woman wearing high heels will stand in the same spot for as long as your bed does.
I’m concerned about the point load duration of 220 kilograms (485 lbs) on 0.3 square meters (3.2 square feet).
Do you still remember the base area on which your 180-liter (48-gallon) aquarium was placed?
I’m concerned about the point load duration of 220 kilograms (485 lbs) on 0.3 square meters (3.2 square feet).
Do you still remember the base area on which your 180-liter (48-gallon) aquarium was placed?
Nothing happens.
If I remember correctly, theoretically every surface designed as living space must be able to support at least 150 kg/m² (31 psf). However, structural engineers almost always calculate additional safety loads.
There are various possible load increases, for example due to potential change of room use involving additional partition walls, converting a child’s room into an office with more shelving, or in corridors where higher traffic loads are expected. Because changes of use can never be completely ruled out.
Of course, the structural engineer bases their calculations on the original building plans. For example, if a fireplace is shown, they will apply the corresponding load allowances. If I’m not mistaken, the load allowance for live loads was about 300 kg/m² (62 psf) (for other cases it can be lower, e.g., only 100 kg/m² (20 psf)).
If in doubt, or if you have concerns, ask the structural engineer. Most builders will not be able to understand the structural calculations provided.
And for new builders: If “heavy load areas” are planned from the start (e.g., hot water tanks, fireplaces), it is advisable, depending on the load, to avoid possible cracks in the screed or floor covering by using higher-quality compressive insulation under the screed and/or reinforcing the screed with mesh reinforcement at those locations.
If I remember correctly, theoretically every surface designed as living space must be able to support at least 150 kg/m² (31 psf). However, structural engineers almost always calculate additional safety loads.
There are various possible load increases, for example due to potential change of room use involving additional partition walls, converting a child’s room into an office with more shelving, or in corridors where higher traffic loads are expected. Because changes of use can never be completely ruled out.
Of course, the structural engineer bases their calculations on the original building plans. For example, if a fireplace is shown, they will apply the corresponding load allowances. If I’m not mistaken, the load allowance for live loads was about 300 kg/m² (62 psf) (for other cases it can be lower, e.g., only 100 kg/m² (20 psf)).
If in doubt, or if you have concerns, ask the structural engineer. Most builders will not be able to understand the structural calculations provided.
And for new builders: If “heavy load areas” are planned from the start (e.g., hot water tanks, fireplaces), it is advisable, depending on the load, to avoid possible cracks in the screed or floor covering by using higher-quality compressive insulation under the screed and/or reinforcing the screed with mesh reinforcement at those locations.
D
Doc.Schnaggls16 Nov 2016 13:30@BigFlow: Our aquarium had an octagonal base with a diameter of 60 cm (24 inches).
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