Concrete Water Storage Tanks

By: Ryan J. Erickson, P.E., Project Engineer, Sunrise Engineering, Inc.

Concrete Tank Experience

Municipalities Subdivisions Extensive experience in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah Range from 100,000 to 3 million gallons

Construction Cost Analysis

Steel Bolted
200,000 gallons = $175,000 1 Million gallons = $500,000

Glass Lined Steel

200,000 gallons = $300,000 1 Million gallons = $700,000

Construction Cost Analysis

Prestressed Concrete
1 Million gallons = $925,000

Concrete
200,000 gallons = $270,000 1 Million gallons = $650,000

Cost Analysis
Cost Per Gallon 200,000 Gallon
Steel = Glass Lined Steel = Concrete = $0.88 $1.50 $1.35

Cost Analysis
Cost Per Gallon 1 Million Gallon
Steel = Glass Lined Steel = Prestressed Concrete = Concrete = $0.50 $0.70 $0.93 $0.65

Concrete Pros & Cons

Pros
Durability Design Flexibility Corrosion Resistance Burial Ability Freeze Protection

Concrete Pros & Cons

Pros
Local Materials
Lower Freight Costs

Low Maintenance
Costs

Long Service Life

Concrete Pros & Cons

Cons
Complex Design Complex Construction Quality Control Material Delivery Upfront Cost

Field Evaluations
Flood Plain Ground Water Surface Water Access

Design Considerations
Burial Elevation Security

Design Considerations
Seismic Zone
Structural Calculations

Overflow Venting

Types of Construction
Cast in Place
Local Materials
Pumps required Additives

Steel Reinforced
Steel Cover

Types of Construction
Cast in Place
Seismic Standards
ACI Design Floating Lid Neoprene Pad

Types of Construction
Cast in Place
Hatch Size
4 x 4 Bilco Form Removal

Types of Construction
Cast in Place
Water Stop
9 PVC

Cold Joints
Vibrate Layers Xypex Patch

Seepage

Types of Construction
Prestressed concrete
Monolithic or Panel Walls Thinner Walls Post-Tensioned Steel Tendons
Bottom Walls Roof

Types of Construction
Prestressed concrete
Larger Column Spacing Higher Upfront Cost
1 Million Gallon Minimum

Longer Service Life

Operation & Maintenance

Cleaning
Flush

Patching

Conclusion
Concrete Tanks
Higher Upfront Costs Low Maintenance Bulletproof

Conclusion
Concrete Tanks
Project History Service Life