Hi all
I did a seach and found only one thread on the topic dated 2007. But no usefull information unfortunatelly.
So is everybody doing large tanks using only plywood with some sealant ?
I am researching what will be the best way for my new project. An in-wall tank of approx. 2500 litre. I thought alot about plywood but in my country pond amor is not easy to get, and I also don't like wood as the basic construction material due to its dimensional instability when exposed to changing humidity levels. Especially along the joints.
What i found on ferrocement:
- Seamless design
- Flexible
- Very strong and light weight compared to other concrete based methods
- Is used for boats
- Used for watertanks in 3rd world countries
- Cheap
- All shapes can be made
- No expensive equipment needed
- No special skills
- Not toxic
- Very thin walls (in water storage tanks viewed on the internet)
- More products to choose from when finding a good sealer (Lots of products i have looked at, recommends not to use on wood)
- Easy to repair (maybe not if it is leaking due to sealant failure)
Cons:
- A steelframe properly is needed to provide adequate support for the front viewing window
- The steel structure must never be exposed to water to prevent corroding and failure, so great care must be insured to avoid air inside the walls.
- I guess it will be difficult to add additional holes for piping after the cement has cured.
I hope that someone with experience in ferrocement could give me some advice regarding mesh stackup (steel rebar, chicken wire etc.) What is the tensile strength for a given mesh layer stackup / wall thickness ?
My tank dimensions will be
240cm x 120cm x 90cm (l w h).
Please tell your thoughts
Thanks and regards, Jon.
I did a seach and found only one thread on the topic dated 2007. But no usefull information unfortunatelly.
So is everybody doing large tanks using only plywood with some sealant ?
I am researching what will be the best way for my new project. An in-wall tank of approx. 2500 litre. I thought alot about plywood but in my country pond amor is not easy to get, and I also don't like wood as the basic construction material due to its dimensional instability when exposed to changing humidity levels. Especially along the joints.
What i found on ferrocement:
- Seamless design
- Flexible
- Very strong and light weight compared to other concrete based methods
- Is used for boats
- Used for watertanks in 3rd world countries
- Cheap
- All shapes can be made
- No expensive equipment needed
- No special skills
- Not toxic
- Very thin walls (in water storage tanks viewed on the internet)
- More products to choose from when finding a good sealer (Lots of products i have looked at, recommends not to use on wood)
- Easy to repair (maybe not if it is leaking due to sealant failure)
Cons:
- A steelframe properly is needed to provide adequate support for the front viewing window
- The steel structure must never be exposed to water to prevent corroding and failure, so great care must be insured to avoid air inside the walls.
- I guess it will be difficult to add additional holes for piping after the cement has cured.
I hope that someone with experience in ferrocement could give me some advice regarding mesh stackup (steel rebar, chicken wire etc.) What is the tensile strength for a given mesh layer stackup / wall thickness ?
My tank dimensions will be
240cm x 120cm x 90cm (l w h).
Please tell your thoughts
Thanks and regards, Jon.
