Preliminary Comments - Design of pile foundations for spherical tank

In connection with the above design we have received the following documents:
1. Document No. HQSM07-00-30-210-1001-001 titled Calculation notes for spherical tank
foundation (sent by e-mail on Aug. 30)
2. Test reports listed below. (sent by e-mail on Aug. 31)
a) First PDA record of test piles
b) Restrike PDA record of test piles
c) Static load test record of TP-01
d) Static load test record of TP-02
e) Static load test record of TP-03
The Calculation notes lists, in section 2.0, following codes and standards as applicable to the design:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

BS EN 1990 Eurocode-Basis of Structural Design

BS EN 1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures
BS EN 1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures
BS EN 1997 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
BS EN 12699 Execution of special geotechnical work Displacement piles

We assume that the Calculation notes have been prepared following the codes listed above. Normal
practice in the preparation of design reports is to list the relevant code and the clause number for every
step of the design calculations. This makes it possible for a reader to understand the procedure and the
justification for each step of a design.
We have found that the Calculation notes does not adhere to this standard practice; calculations are
given without any indication as to the applicable code and the clause. This makes it impossible to
review the design calculations. Another source of difficulty is the use of data items without any
explanation regarding the source or its derivation. (For example, Table titled Diameter and Weight of
tanks in section 3.3 of Calculation notes).
Please be kind enough to revise the Calculation notes as follows:
a) For each step of the design calculations indicate the applicable code and the clause number.
b) When a data item is used for the first time indicate the source or the derivation.
Further, we note that only the field records of the restrike tests and the static load tests are submitted,
but not the official test reports. To facilitate the review of the pile design, following test reports are
essential:

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a) Reports of the three restrike tests done on the test piles with the CAPWAP analysis
b) Reports of the static load tests
c) Reports of the borehole investigations done at the three test pile locations
Prof. Saman Thilakasiri
Dr. Nihal Somaratna
September 3, 2016

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