Using a concrete water tank as basement/foundation?

[GRC]

Looking through a property auction catalogue this morning, there's a lot of sales of redundant water tanks - at the top of hills, offering panoramic views, etc, etc.

In a lot of cases, the concrete tank appears to be underground, with a basic covering structure up above.

Maybe this is a wild 'n' wacky question, but would you folks think there's any scope for the concrete structure below ground to serve as an adequate foundation for a new single or double story building up above, and maybe act as a basement for the new above-ground structure.......?

On the basis that it's strong enough to hold considerable quantities of water, it can't be too fragile..........

Regards, Graham

 

[king.module]

personally i haven't a clue but would suspect (like you) that they'd be alright..

though i'm more intrested in how much they cost......

how much is the guide price (lol) and what do you get for your money as it sounds intresting..... locations ETc....??

 

[breezer]

for that sort of thing you would need an expert to give advice / visit site.

they need not be that strong if in the gound, ground is pushing in and water pushing out

 

[pipme]

Green belt ? or doing a Gypsies ?
I wonder about the planning laws .... regulation on foundations etc.
What about a nice, green, underground cave / abode ?

Wow ! Interesting here

 

[GRC]

personally i haven't a clue but would suspect (like you) that they'd be alright..

though i'm more intrested in how much they cost......

how much is the guide price (lol) and what do you get for your money as it sounds intresting..... locations ETc....??

GRC - I got the sale prices from auctioneer's website two days after the event; here's some examples;

1; in Clarkyhill, Burghead. 2 redundant tanks, 0.2 acres (28x32 metres) - two underground former water tanks on the site, one with oval roof, inscribed 1878, and other with flat roof. £22,500

2. Roskhill, near Dunvegan, Skye - Redundant tank and intake - 2 separate areas totalling 0.27 acres. £2,200

3. Drumbuie, near Kyle of Lochalsh - Redundant tank, 232 sq metres - £3,100

4. Service resevoir, Catacol, Arran - Water tank site and intake - 2 areas totalling 0.052 acres - £300

etc etc

Regards, Graham