Prestressed Concrete Tank Wall Opening for Construction Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of large cylindrical liquid storage tanks with prestressed concrete panel walls often requires underground access tunnels for interior access, which is time-consuming, expensive, and poses risks due to hard ground conditions, making it undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the construction of an inner tank wall with an opening defined by vertical edges, where elongated tensile members are anchored and wrapped around the opening to allow passage during construction, and later sealed with concrete panels, eliminating the need for underground tunnels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an underground access tunnel is dug to provide access to the tank interior during construction, then access for installing equipment is enabled, but construction time increases, costs increase, and safety risks arise due to tunnel collapse potential
Solution Approach 1:
The tank wall is segmented by creating a localized opening rather than requiring a complete tunnel through the foundation. The opening is positioned at the base of the tank wall, allowing access to the interior without excavating through the entire foundation layer, thus reducing construction time and eliminating tunnel collapse risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The access pathway is extracted from the foundation tunnel concept and repositioned to the tank wall base. This extraction eliminates the need for complex tunneling operations while maintaining the essential function of providing access to the tank interior for equipment installation.
2Ease of operation
If an underground access tunnel is dug, then access to the tank interior is provided, but construction costs increase due to expensive equipment and materials required for tunnel safety and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The access solution is segmented to only where it is absolutely necessary - at the base of the tank wall rather than through the entire foundation. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive tunneling equipment and materials, reducing construction costs while still providing the required access.
Solution Approach 2:
The access function is extracted from the expensive tunneling process and relocated to a simpler opening at the tank wall base, eliminating the need for costly tunnel support systems and specialized excavation equipment.
3Ease of operation
If an underground access tunnel is dug, then access to the tank interior is enabled, but safety risks increase due to potential tunnel collapse during excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The access opening is segmented to be localized at the tank wall base rather than requiring a full tunnel through the foundation. This eliminates the extensive excavation and tunneling operations that create collapse risks, significantly improving construction safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The hazardous tunneling operation is extracted and replaced with a simple opening at the tank wall base, eliminating the safety risks associated with tunnel collapse while maintaining access functionality.
4Strength
If the opening in the tank wall is sealed with concrete panels after construction, then structural integrity is maintained, but the prestressing force distribution may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The prestressing wires are installed and tensioned before the opening is sealed with concrete panels. This preliminary action ensures that the prestressing force is properly distributed throughout the tank wall structure before the opening is closed, maintaining structural integrity without compromising stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is positioned at the base of the tank wall where it can be sealed with concrete panels without significantly affecting the overall prestressing force distribution. The local sealing at this specific location maintains structural integrity while minimizing impact on the global stress distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces construction time and costs, enhances safety by avoiding tunnel excavation risks, and maintains structural integrity through prestressing, allowing for efficient and safe access during tank construction.
Implementation Method 1
Cylindrical liquid storage tanks made from concrete panel walls can be prestressed through the use of wrapping the full circumference of the tank with wire or strands in order to ensure that the tank walls are in compression thereby counterbalancing the force of the liquid on the interior of the tank walls
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for the construction of a prestressed concrete tank for the storage of liquids. The method includes erecting precast concrete panels on a foundation in a generally cylindrical shape while allowing an opening to allow the passage of people and equipment there through during the construction of the tank. Anchors are provided along both vertical edges of the opening. Strands are inserted into the anchors along both vertical edges of the opening and wire wrapped under tension over the outer surface of the inner tank wall. In one embodiment, a structural frame is secured within the opening and the strands are anchored to the vertical members of the structural frame. Once the opening in the tank wall is no longer needed, the opening is sealed with concrete panels. The sealed opening is then wire wrapped under tension using strands anchored to the anchors provided along both vertical edges of the opening.