Water tank Spacing
Water tank Spacing
(OP)
We are developing a site with 3 number 20 million gallon welded steel water storage tanks. Each tank has a diameter of 90 m (295 ft). The site is very tight - I am looking for some guidance on the minimum spacing between tanks and boundary walls. Concerns include access for construction and future maintenance and possible adverse wind loading.
Brian
Brian





RE: Water tank Spacing
Other considerations:
This height may (may not) trigger a zoning condition or restriction in your community too.
Would you have to have containment walls in case of catasdtrophic failure; where would the water go?
How about stormwater runoff (if covered tanks) due to new impervious area?
Maintenance, you would want at least room for service vehicles to get in and out without backing - so perhaps a circular drive.
Will you have lights?
Will there be any otehr underground utilities w/in the subject area, etc.
And theer may be other considerations as you get specific to your site.
RE: Water tank Spacing
The site is in the Middle East - rainfall runoff, height restrictions etc are not a concern. Temperature variation may be -
Brian
RE: Water tank Spacing
RE: Water tank Spacing
My firm has dealt with this issue in California many times both from a geotechnical and civil standpoint. Since your site description eliminates many of the concerns ... maintance and construction access are crucial (as you know and has been discussed). In my mind though, the priority is if the tanks were to burst as a result of a catastrophic event, what are the impacts on "downstream" or adjacent properties. The size of one tank warrants concern, but if several are located in close proximity, specific attention should be paid. This is a tough question in most instances, but should be addressed.
Good luck.
RE: Water tank Spacing
added benefits include no need to haul in crushed rock, lower height above ground, water stays cooler, release of water from a "burst" tank is less. Potentially less impact from seismic events.
disadvantage - outlet pipes are deeper, harder to inspect the below ground part.
You may want to construct the part below ground with concrete instead of steel.
RE: Water tank Spacing
Concrete tanks would be the optimum solution - they would be less eexpensive, could be designed to suit the irregular shaped site and could be partly buried but the client is 100% opposed to concrete. (bad experiences in the Arabian Gulf from chloride attack etc). A steel tank has to be at ground level.