Aquarium - Load on the floor

  • Erstellt am 2016-11-16 10:19:17

BigFlow

2016-11-16 10:19:17
  • #1
Good morning,
I would like to set up an aquarium (L x W x H): approx. 50 x 60 x 50 cm 140 l volume in the future house. Along with a suitable cabinet and filled, I estimate the total weight at about 220 kilos on a base area of 0.3m2.

The floor will be a reinforced concrete ceiling with underfloor heating and screed, as well as laminate.
Can I still set up the "relatively" small aquarium without concern, or is it to be feared that the screed could be damaged by the permanent point load?
 

Doc.Schnaggls

2016-11-16 11:55:04
  • #2
Hello,

in our "old" apartment, we had a 180-liter aquarium on an almost identical ceiling structure – the only difference was that we had parquet instead of laminate.

Nothing happened (in terms of damage to the ceiling or the floor) in the 12 years.

Now in the house, we have a waterbed upstairs, which has two "mattresses" each containing 800 liters. These 1.6 tons of water only earned a tired smile from our architect and structural engineer – according to them, a 60 kg 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 the upper floor, but only because we have a very open ground floor.

Regards,

Dirk
 

BigFlow

2016-11-16 12:35:09
  • #3
Thank you for your answer, but I don't think the woman in high heels will stand in the same spot as your bed for that long. I am concerned about the point load of 220 kilos on 0.3 sqm. Do you remember the base area on which your 180-liter aquarium stood?
 

RobsonMKK

2016-11-16 12:37:22
  • #4
People have had aquariums and waterbeds in their homes for decades. Some are 100 years old and there are no problems. Don't worry, unless you absolutely want to
 

AOLNCM

2016-11-16 12:53:21
  • #5
Nothing happens.

If I remember correctly, theoretically every surface intended as living space must be able to withstand at least 150 kg/m². However, surcharges are almost always calculated by the structural engineers. There are all kinds, for example for possible repurposing of the rooms connected with additional partition walls, repurposing a child's room into an office with additional shelves, or in passageways where higher traffic loads are to be expected. Because repurposing can never be ruled out.

Of course, the structural engineer bases their calculations on the original drawings of the building, because if, for example, a chimney is drawn there, they accordingly apply their surcharges. If I’m not mistaken, the surcharge for traffic loads was about 300 kg/m² (for other purposes the surcharge can also be smaller, e.g. only 100 kg/m²).

In case of doubt, or if you have concerns, ask the structural engineer. Most builders will not be able to understand the handed-over structural report.

And for new builders: If "heavy load areas" are planned from the start (hot water storage, chimney), it is advisable, to possibly avoid cracks in the screed or floor covering depending on the load, e.g. to use higher quality pressure-resistant insulation under the screed, and/or to incorporate screed reinforcement mesh in the screed at the respective spots.
 

Doc.Schnaggls

2016-11-16 13:30:00
  • #6
: our aquarium had an octagonal base with a diameter of 60 cm.
 

Similar topics
12.10.2011Laying laminate over carpet14
29.01.2014Cost saving/basement/affordable tiles/sealed screed?13
08.05.2014Most moisture from screed?25
10.05.2015Screed uneven - defect removal refused52
10.08.2015In which season of the year is it best to bring screed into the basement10
13.04.2017Screed with gold sand17
28.04.2016Order screed - plaster14
27.05.2016Plastic fittings/water pipes and insulating underfloor heating beneath screed?40
07.08.2016Upper floor without screed - only concrete floor15
08.06.2016Questions about underfloor heating - new subfloor/screed/granite tiles14
31.07.2016Screed does not extend into the reveals at windows / terrace doors on the ground floor12
29.07.2018Perimeter insulation under the floor slab and still XPS under the screed?28
31.10.2016Heating the screed with the utility provider?!12
29.11.2016Front door only burglary protection / better materials - plaster, screed?10
02.02.2017Is ventilation/drying after installing screed/interior plaster sensible?15
05.04.2017Super disaster - water pipe burst, screed damp31
16.01.2018Extension of the screed opening. Can this screed break?23
06.08.2021Height adjustment between tiles and laminate13
13.02.2024Heat pump is not compatible with a water-bearing fireplace144

Oben