GB2113286A

GB2113286A - Tank walls

Info

Publication number: GB2113286A
Application number: GB08237034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruno Minissale
Original assignee: Wyllie And Sons Pty Ltd J R
Current assignee: Wyllie And Sons Pty Ltd J R
Priority date: 1982-01-05
Filing date: 1982-12-31
Publication date: 1983-08-03
Also published as: AU9181582A

Abstract

The wall comprises a plurality of components 10C and 10E slidably engaged with each other to form a continuous wall. The wall may be supported by upper and lower rails 12, 11. The components may have C- shaped edge profiles for slidable interengagement. A tank roof supporting structure is also described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to tanks This invention relates to an improved method of construction of tanks and tanks constructed by the method.

Hitherto tanks for the storage of liquids and other materials and suitably adapted for the storage of 9 to 304 kilolitres (2000 to 67,000 gallons) have been found to be relatively expensive due to their method of construction which was considered to be complicated and relatively long in production time. One such tank known as the Southern Cross tank comprised a plurality of interconnected sheets with stiffeners or reinforcing strips being bolted to overlapping side wall portions. Uusally such tanks included an internal reinforcing frame, a conical top wall and a bottom wall usually formed from concrete which was bolted to a bottom rail member of circular shape (usually angle iron). Usually there was also included a top rail member suitably formed from angle iron of circular shape bolted to the side wall and the conical top wall.There was also included peripheral reinforcing loops or straps attached to the outer surface of the side wall.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of construction of tanks which is simple in concept and practical in application.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tank constructed by the above mentioned method.

The method of the invention includes the following steps:- (i) attaching a plurality of elongate side wall components to each other in interlocking relationship whereby each adjacent side wall component is slidably interfitted one with the other; (ii) forming a continuous side wall of side wall components in accordance with step (i) or a said side wall portion; and (iii) attaching, if desired, a base wall and/or top wall to the side wall or side wall portion formed in step (ii).

Preferably in step (i) there are also provided a top and bottom rail member preferably of circular shape or arcuate shape to which each elongate side wall component is attached after or before the side wall components are slidably interfitted with each other in interlocking relationship. The top and bottom rail members may comprise hoops or rings of any suitable cross section (e.g.

rectangular, C shaped or L shaped).

It is within the scope of the invention for the side wall components to be attached to each other in the manner referred to above so as to form a complete side wall or plurality of arcuate side wail portions which are then attached to each other.

However in a preferred form of the invention the side wall components are attached to the top and bottom rail members after adjacent side wall components have been slidably interfitted one with the other. This step is especially preferred when L shaped top and bottom rail members are utilized (e.g. angle iron).

The elongate side wall components are preferably plate like or substantially planar having a pair of opposed broad surfaces. Each longitudinal edge portion of a side wall component may be formed and shaped so as to allow adjacent longitudinal edge portions of adjoining components to be slidably engaged with each other. The longitudinal edge portions with this objective in mind may be substantially C shaped in cross section. However any other suitably cross sectional profile may be adopted such as a U shape, V shape or any appropriate channel shape.

Preferably one longitudinal edge portion of a single side wall component is wider than the other longitudinal edge portion.

Most preferably the desired C shaped cross sectional profile of each longitudinal edge portion of a side wall component is formed by a conventional roll forming process.

The invention also includes within its scope a tank constructed by the method referred to above having a side wall formed at least partially but more suitably totally of the plurality of elongate side wall components referred to above attached to each other in interlocking relationship whereby each adjacent side wall component is slidably interfitted one with the other.

Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a tank constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating step (i) of the method; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of a tank constructed in accordance with the invention in the final stage of construction, in relation to the side wall thereof; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side wall portion of a tank constructed in accordance with the invention in an intermediate stage of construction; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side wall portion of FIG. 3 in a final stage of construction; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tank of FIGS. 1-4 in a final stage of construction;; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of part of the side wall of the tank of FIG. 5 from the exterior showing the attachment of the side wall to the base wall; FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a view from the interior of the tank.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an outlet or inlet of the tank of FIG. 5 from the exterior of the tank.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 from the interior of the tank; FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the attachment of adjacent longitudinal edge portions of adjoining side wall components of the tank of FIG. 5.

FIG. iOA is a sectional view of a modified tank constructed in accordance with the invention; FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the tank shown in FIG. 1 OA; FIG. 12 is a section through line 12-12 of FIG.

11; FIG. 1 3 is a detailed side view of an alternative type of inlet/outlet for the tank of FIG. 1 or FIG.

10; and FIG. 14 is a sectional plan view of the inlet/outlet of FIG. 13.

As shown in the drawings, the tank of the invention is suitably constructed initially by the attachment of side wall components 1 OA and 1 OB to the ends of a bottom rail section 11 and upper rail section 1 2 by bolts 9 so as to stabilize an arcuate side wall portion of the tank comprising side wall components 10, upper rail 12, bottom rail 11 and a group 1 OD of components 10 interconnected as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. The central side wall component or slat 1 OF of the group 1 OD is supported by rails 11 and 12 and attached thereto by bolts 9 as shown and the end flats or components of the group 1 OD elevated as shown clear of rails 11 and 12 for the interfitting of additional slats from each side.As shown in FIG. 1 0 each slat comprises longitudinal roll formed edge portions 1 3 and 1 4 wherein edge portion 1 3 is of wider dimensions than edge portion 1 4 and each portion 13 and 14 slidably interconnects or interfits in interlocking relationship as shown. Each rail 11 and 12 includes attachment apertures 1 5 for bolting by bolts 9 to slats 10 through preformed apertures 15A in slats 10. Each rail 11 and 12 may include additional attachement apertures 1 6 and 1 7 as shown for the subsequent attachment on the top wall and base wall of the tank as described hereinafter.

FIGS. 3-4 show the construction of an arcuate side wall portion 21 A of the tank showing the removal of an end slat 1 OA before inclusion of all slats 10 in portion 21A. Portion 21A may be in the shape of a half circle, quadrant or any circumferential or segmental portion of the tank.

FIG. 4 shows the final shape of end portion 21 A leaving extending portions 11 A of lower rail 11 on one side and undercut portions 1 2A of upper rail 12 on the other side.

In FIG. 2 there is shown the attachment of arcuate portions 2 1A of the tank so as to form a continuous side wall 21. Opposing portions 11 A of adjacent side wall portions 21 A are butted together at 20 and interconnected by fish plate 20A. Slat 1 OC may be slidably inserted into gap 18 by being interfitted with adjoining slats 1 OE.

After attachment of slat 1 OC top link plate 1 9 may be then attached to the adjacent top rails 12 of adjoining side wall portions 21 A. Link plate 19 is the same length as that occupied by gap 18 and undercut portions 1 2A.

As shown in FIG. 2 each side wall portion 21A is suitably of semi-circular shape and thus may be attached to each other at their respective ends in the manner referred to above and as shown in detail in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 5 after completion of side wall 21 and attachement thereof to base wall 24 a central reinforcing frame 29 may be inserted into the tank from the open top thereof. Frame 29 may adopt any suitable shape and the shape in FIG. 5 is only exemplary of the types of the frame that may be utilized. A conical top wall or cover 30 may then be attached to the upper horizontal flange 1 2B of top rail member 12.

In FIG. 6 the side wall 21 is bolted to concrete base wall 24 at 25 and bolts 23 attach rail members 11 and 12 to slats 10. There is also shown interior liner 22 made from any suitable plastics or rubber material. If desired liner 22 may be dispensed with and instead the interior of the tank may have sealant applied thereto along sealing lines 26 and 27 and around bolts 23 as shown at 28. The dispensing of liner 22 is a practical advantage achieved by the method of construction of the invention as is the use of a frame 29 of relatively simple form which does not require additional reinforcing as is the case with the prior art tanks described previously.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a suitable inlet or outlet comprising pipe 31, attachment rings or flanges 32 on each side of slats 10, bolts 33 interconnecting adjacent flanges or rings 32 and interior liner 22.

The invention also includes within its scope the construction of a side wall shell or complete side wall as well as a side wall portion as described above.

If desired reinforcing straps or hoops (not shown) may be attached to side wall 21.

In the tank shown in FIGS. 1 OA and 12. the side wall 21 is constructed as previously described. However a roof or cover 34 is formed having a central support ring or disc 35 which has a depending boss 36. Central support 34 includes reinforcing bars 37 and 38 and is supported by a -shaft 39 which rotatably engages in boss 36 and which is screw threadedly engageable with a threaded bolt 40 interconnecting shaft 39 with lower shaft 41 which has a base plate 42. Shaft 41 includes knee bars 43 and shaft 39 includes turning bars 44.

The cover 34 is formed around support ring 35 and flexible ties or cables 45 which include at their inner ends compression springs 46 which attach to support ring 35. The outer ends of cables 45 include a hooked portion 47 which engage with hook plate 48 which extends over the horizontal flange of top ring or angle member 1 2 as shown in FIG. 12. The roof may also include an external liner 49 of the same type as used for the internal liner 22 previously described. There is also included a flexible liner retaining tube 50.

In construction of the roof of the tank shown in FIGS. 1 OA and 12, roof 34 initially occupies the position shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1 OA when lower shaft 41 is gripped by the knees engaging knee bars 43 and shaft 39 rotated on threaded bolt 40 by manually grasping turning bars 44. This causes elevation of roof 34 to the position shown in full outline in FIG. 1 OA. During the height elevation of roof 34 shaft 39 freely rotates in boss 36. Roof 34 also includes manhole 51.

It will be appreciated however that any other type of flexible members may be used and other jacking procedures are available in which to elevate the roof 34 than that described above.

In FIGS. 13-14, there is shown an alternative type of inlet/outlet to that shown in FIGS. 8-9.

This includes internal liner 22, side panels 10, threaded pipe 52, washers 53, 54 and 57 and internal nut 55 and external nut 56.

Claims

1. A method of forming tanks including the steps of: (i) attaching a plurality of elongate side wall components to each other in interlocking relationship whereby each adjacent side wall component is slidably interfitted one with the other.

(ii) forming a continuous side wall from said side wall components in accordance with step (i) or a side wall portion; and (iii) attaching, if desired, a base wall and/or top wall to the side wall or side wall portion formed in step (ii).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in step (i) there is provided a lower rail member and an upper rail member to which each of the interlocking side wall components are attached.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lower rail member and upper rail member are part circular or arcuate and the elongate side wall components are slidably interfitted with each other after initially attaching a first elongate side wall component or plurality of elongate side wall components to the lower rail member and upper rail member.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein there is provided a plurality of arcuate side wall portions which are then attached to each other to form said continuous side wall.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each elongate side wall component is plate-like and has longitudinal edge portions of channel shape so as to facilitate the slidable engagement of adjoining longitudinal edge portions of adjacent side wall components to each other.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein adjacent side wall portions are attached to each other to form said continuous side wall by the slidable engagement of one or more elongate side wall components with the respective mutually adjoining end side wall components of said adjacent side wall portions.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a reinforcing frame is included in the interior of the tank which engages with the top wall.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the top wall is formed from a plurality of spaced flexible supports having an external lining attached thereto formed from resiliant material wherein initially the flexible supports are slack but are subsequently tensioned.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the tensioning step is carried out by jacking up a central rigid member to which the flexible supports are attached.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A tank formed by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

12. A tank having a continuous side wall formed at least partially by a plurality of elongate wall components which are attached to each other in interlocking relationship whereby each adjacent side wall component is slidably interfitted one with the other.