Storage tanks

The method of constructing a storage tank comprising the steps of:

• positioning a plurality of footings in a circular pattern;
• securing a vertically extending pilaster section onto each of said footings;
• placing arcuate wall panel sections, of equal height with the pilaster sections, between adjacent pilaster sections so that the end portions of said wall panel sections rest on respective ones of said footings;
• securing at least one other substantially identical pilaster section to the top of each of the first-mentioned pilaster sections;
• placing at least one other substantially identical wall panel section on top of each of the first-mentioned wall panel sections and betwen adjacent ones of the last-mentioned pilaster sections;
• and,
• tensioning vertically spaced tendons around the periphery of said panel sections

A tank structure comprising:

• a plurality of wall panels having vertically extending end edges and horizontally extending top and bottom surfaces;
• said wall panels being arcuate in horizontal cross section;
• a plurality of vertical pilasters;
• said wall panels being placed edge to edge with one of said pilasters located therebetween to form a substantially cylindrical tank wall;
• a plurality of vertically-spaced, tensioned tendons on the exterior of said panels for prestressing said tank wall;
• each of said pilasters being supported by a separate concrete footing having horizontal dimensions greater than the horizontal dimensions of the pilaster supported thereby;
• the end portions of said wall panels being supported by adjacent ones of said footings;
• a tank floor formed within the confines of said tank wall;
• a stabilizing substructure beneath the upper structure of said tank floor;
• said substructure including a central hub located at the center of said tank and a rigid spoke connected radially between said hub and each of said footings.

A tank structure as specified in claim 19 and further characterized by:

• said tank floor being formed at least in part by interfitting precast concrete elements;
• said stabilizing substructure including a plurality of elongated precase concrete spokes radially positioned beneath said elements;
• said annular hub member centrall located beneath said elements;
• and,
• a post-tensioned metal bar through each of said spokes connecting a respective one of said footings to said hub member.