Placing Oil Tank

funkey_monkey

How far away should an 1400L oil tank be placed from a 4ft high retaining block wall to prevent exertion of sideways pressure on it. Or can deeper foundations be used?

I have been told that it will put excess pressure on the wall and could cause it to crack. The current location has a 5ft x 7ft wide base and elevates the tank about 4ft.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058200773/placing-oil-tank

This is something only your Engineer can answer. Nobody on Boards will give Structural Advice.

There may be other considerations for its placement with regards to Fire Safety.

Lumen

This isn't structural advice, but the obvious solution is to site the tank on pile foundations which go down 4ft. That way the tank won't exert a static surcharge on the retaining wall because the load will be carried to the subsoil below the level of the base of the wall.

Or use ground screws, although they might need to be sited somewhat away from the wall because they exert radial pressure on the soil.

mickdw

If its 4 ft high wall, Id be happy with the base of the tank being 4ft plus from the wall.