Constuction of a Platform

I am not a civil engineer but for a project like this i would think that the pyramid model might be appropriate, or at least a source of good ideas. As i understand it the pyramids were built with an inclined ramp spiraling around the perimeter. The radius of the ramp getting smaller as it gets higher.

Starting at the bottom (obviously), building the ramp and filling the interior as it gets higher. There will be some settling time (perhaps a year) required before anything large or permanent is built on the top.

I was also thinking in that way but could not draw a sketch. Would you please provide me a drawing?

I'm not a civil engineer either. There are a lot of things to be considered. One of the big ones, I think, would be how much rain do you get and how much falls at one time?

That could have a big impact on everything else.

This platform is intended to save some creatures from high tidal bore or tidal wave as happens in hurricane or other types of cyclone. At those situations the gusty wind flows generally at a speed of 200-250 Km/hr & heavy raining occurs for about 5-12 hours. Sea wave hits shore at a height of 15-20 ft & sometimes as much as 25 ft. So, 30 ft height would be safe.

There are some civil engineers on here.............I don't think that building it out of earth is going to last very long in those conditions.

It sounds like a noble cause. What type of creatures are you trying to save?

The location from where I am writing is a coastal belt area. Severe devastating cyclones hit the area in the year of 1970, 1985, 1991, 1993, 2007 & 2009 killing millions of peoples. They also killed many thousands of cattle each time along with other animals & birds. After 1993, Govt Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) with the help of donor agencies made several CYCLONE CENTERS along the coastal area. These centers are used as school other than emergency. For that in 2007 & 2009 human deaths were very negligible. But Cattle death could not be prevented. Govt. guideline directs that cattle should be moved to a safer place known as KILLA when warning signal reaches 8 in the scale of 10. Literally KILLA means forte. Old documents indicate that there were KILLAS in the decades of 40 or 50's. But none of them is in existence now. When I requested Mr. Zein, Senior Emergency Coordinator (an FAO representative), to do something for the ill luck cattle, I came to know that in DMB no one has ever seen a KILLA. Even in DMB no drawing is there. He told me if I can provide any design, he could try. So, I sought support from CR-4. As you are in the USA, do you know what action was taken by the authority in case of Katrina few years ago?

As well as saying "The location from where I am writing is a coastal belt area" , why not name the actual country you're talking about? It might just help contributors to visualise your problem.

Codey

Sorry. The country is BANGLADESH in south Asia & the location of the cyclone prone area is 21-22.5N & 89-92E. The sea is Bay of Bengal. Many of the people don't know this small country. Thank you.

OK thanks SYED. I guessed it might be from your description.

No need to be so modest about your "small" country . Population is about 3 x that of UK (just checked on web).

Sorry I can't help with your problem, I'm not a civil engineer and can't add anything to others' posts.

Cheers.......Codey

I am not sure you understand the enormity of your project. That is some serious earth moving you are talking about. 30 x 6000 = 180 000 cubic feet which does not even cover the batters at 1:2 slope which will add about the same again. You have to be aware of slope stability, the surrounding buildings, water evacuation to name but a few of the constraints. You might want to consider a mound rather than a platform. Best is to get into a proper discussion with a civil engineer and give him all the information you have. He will then tell you how to go about getting the other information and then you can think about a safe and cost effective way of doing your project.

I am inept in English to some extent, so mentioned as Platform. Actually/Possibly I meant a mound. Even in that case a drawing is necessary. I could never see this type of construction, which were constructed more than a half-century ago & was ruined within 30 years of construction possibly due to lack of proper maintenance. This type of construction was called as KILLA in local language. No doubt, a huge amount of earthwork has to be done but I think this is not impossible. Any life is valuable. Attempt should be taken to save lives even of animals. I talked with few engineers but unfortunately could not draw their attention. I was thinking in other ways. Would it be more expensive than earthwork if an RCC construction were made with 4" thick cast as roof (where the animals would be kept) and required number of pillars & inclined ramp around it?

Sorry, I don't do Pro Bono design work. No free lunch here, and I suspect most of the Civil Engineers that are members of this forum feel the same way as I do. We can only give some advice to solve simple questions, not provide complete design-to-construction services.

Anyhow, you'd have to pay me for my professional design services w/ a 100% retainer fee + incidentals. I'm not cheap either, so expect to pay a premium for my services, especially for overseas work assignments.

Sorry, thems the apples. Do yourself a favor and avoid some grief, hire a Licensed Professional Engineer in your locale who is familiar with the conditions within your project site.

Have a great sunny day!