Geotechnical · 6 min read
Swimming pool structural design in Brisbane: shells, pool walls and slopes
A pool is a heavy water tank sitting in the ground, usually on a sloping block, often within metres of a boundary and a retaining wall. That combination is why pools cause more engineering questions than almost any other backyard project in Brisbane.
What we design for a pool
The pool structure itself, and everything around it that the pool now affects.
- Reinforced concrete pool shells — walls, floor, beams and reinforcement detailing
- Elevated and partially above ground pools, including suspended pool structures
- Pool walls doubling as retaining walls, with soil and water pressure both considered
- Footings and piers where the pool sits on fill, soft soil or a slope
- Pool surrounds, coping beams, decks and pool fencing supports
- Effect of pool excavation on adjacent house footings and neighbouring walls
Pools near retaining walls and boundaries
A pool behind a retaining wall adds a permanent surcharge the wall may never have been designed for. A pool in front of one changes its passive support. Excavating for either near an existing house footing can undermine it.
This is exactly where structural and geotechnical work overlap, and it is worth checking before excavation rather than after a wall starts leaning.
Sloping sites, fill and buoyancy
On slopes we check global stability, not just the shell. On filled ground we usually pier down to competent material. In areas with a high water table an empty pool can float, so hydrostatic uplift and drainage need designing too.
Cost
Pool structural design starts at $1,500, including calculations, drawings and RPEQ certification. Pools acting as retaining walls, suspended pools and pools on steep or filled sites are quoted on the documents.
Send the pool layout, site survey, retained heights nearby and any geotechnical report.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does pool structural design cost in Brisbane?
- From $1,500 for a concrete pool shell including drawings and RPEQ certification. Suspended pools or pools acting as retaining walls are quoted on the plans.
- Can my pool wall also be a retaining wall?
- Yes, if it is designed for it. The wall then carries soil pressure, water pressure and any surcharge behind it, which needs more reinforcement than a standard shell.
- Do I need an engineer if the pool is near my retaining wall?
- Yes. The pool changes the load on the wall and the excavation can remove its support, so both should be assessed together.
Send your pool plans for a fixed design fee from $1,500.
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