Extension to slatted tank

[6891tmc]

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone out there has had any experience extending their existing slurry storage tank. Our tanks are located inside the shed. I'm wondering if its possible to dig down near the existing wall of the shed. Is there a chance of the wall collapsing if I dig too close to the wall. Or what's the general rule for digging out a tank without the bank falling in whilst it's been shuttered. The existing roof is plenty high to get a digger in and lower shutters and pour concrete etc.
Any comments and suggestions are welcome, many thanks in advance.

 

[ridger]

Depends on the kind of your ground, seen one here dug inside an indoor silage pit, and the whole shed caved into the tank. Was a terrible looking sight, glad it wasnt mine.

 

[6891tmc]

Depends on the kind of your ground, seen one here dug inside an indoor silage pit, and the whole shed caved into the tank. Was a terrible looking sight, glad it wasnt mine.

Thanks ridger. That's my fear or worst, some man getting hurt. The ground is good but I am sceptical of how the sheds and yards where done years ago. There could be potential for contaminated ground as we dug up a bit of concrete last year for a small bit of ground works, I was able to stick my whole arm into a hidden void below the surface.

 

[ridger]

Thanks ridger. That's my fear or worst, some man getting hurt. The ground is good but I am sceptical of how the sheds and yards where done years ago. There could be potential for contaminated ground as we dug up a bit of concrete last year for a small bit of ground works, I was able to stick my whole arm into a hidden void below the surface.

My ground looks good on top, but in one place as we found out, 4 feet down it turns into running blue clay, so the tank hole usually ends up twice the width because it keeps falling in. I'd like to do another tank up against a general purpose shed but I'm afraid of what could happen

 

[Greenasgrass]

The vertical load of your adjoining shed wall / stanchion will transfer into the ground at a 45 degree angle. Which basically means if you want to dig 3m below the bottom of the foundation you should stay 3m out at the base of the excavation.
Obviously this is a very rough rule of thumb and is subject to ground conditions.