US3300916A - Prefabricated concrete tanks and structures - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 31, 1967 D. PRITZKER 3,300,916

PREF'ABRICATED CONCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES Filed Nv. 14, 1963 DAV\D PRITZKER INVENTOR.

BY 7 3M 47' TORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 31, 1967 D. PRlTZKER PREFABRICATED CONCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES 5 Sheets -Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1963 IOB i mb

ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1967 D. PRITZKER 3,300,916

PREFABRICATED'CONCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES Filed. Nov. 14, 1963 s Shees$heet 3 DAV|D PRITZKER INVENTOR.

A TTOR/VEYS 3 1967 D. PRITZKER 3, 00,916

} PREFABRICATED CONCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES Filed Nov. 14, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 DAVID PRITZKER A TTORNE Y5 31, 1967 D. PRITZKER 3,300,916

PREFABRICATED CONCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES Filed Nov. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 0mm PRWZKER INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,3%,9l6 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 PREFABRECATED CGNCRETE TANKS AND STRUCTURES David Pritzker, 7340 38th NE, Seattle, Wash. 9%115 Filed Nov. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 323,673

Claims priority, application Canada, Dec. 3, 192,

863,581 3 Claims. (Cl. 5281) This invention relates to the building of structures such as tanks, containers or enclosures from pre-cast concrete components. More particularly, it relates to the building of such structures in various dimensions and shapes from pre-cast units, without the requirement for auxiliary supporting frames or formations of steel or concrete.

Among the disadvantages in prior pre-fabricated container and tank constructions, has been the requirement for added framework reinforcements in order to render the structures safe and sufficiently strong to prevent disconnection of the structurally assembled parts when in use.

It has been one of the primary objects of this invention to provide for the production of structurally reinforced tank-like containers from pre-cast components or units for the safe storage of fluid materials either liquid or solid, without the requirement of auxiliary reinforcements.

.It is also a principal object of this invention to pro vide containers of the above stated character that are relatively simple in construction, exceptionally strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive to fabricate.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the details of construction of its parts and in their mode of assembly and functional relationship in the structure.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I have provided the improved details of construc tion, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a tank structure, embodied by the present invention shown partly in radial section. as equipped with a dome-like top or cover and a dished bottom.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in radial section of a similar structure with fiat top or cover and flat bottom.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on line 33 in FIG. '1.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section of a structure of rectangular formation embodied by this invention as with its side wall units assembled to withstand internal pressure.

FIG. 5 (being fragmentary) and FIG. 6 are horizontal sectional views of structures similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 but showing the side wall forming components assembled to withstand external pressure.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the joining of adiacent side wall forming components as assembled in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail showing the joint sealing and tie bolt joining of adjacent side wall segments of a structure as assembled in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a similar sectional detail showing the joining of side wall segments of an enclosure like that of FIG. 4 or FIG. 6.

FIG. 9a is an enlarged sectional detail showing the tie bolt joining of half-posts of side wall components.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view of one of the side wall components.

' as well shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. ll is a sectional detail showing the assembly of components for the formation of the top or cover of a rectangular enclosure.

FiG. 12 is a plan view of one of the roof slabs of a structure as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail of a side wall of an enclosure, showing its supporting footing and the encircling retaining ring as applied about the upper edge of its side wall components.

FIG. 15 is a sectional detail of the retaining ring as applied to a circular enclosure with flat top or cover portion.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

By the present assembling and joining of prefabricated components, simple, durable and comparatively inexpensive structures may be provided that are characterized by the fact that their side wall components embody structural elements or parts cast integrally therewith that eliminate the requirement of reinforcing frames, beams or posts.

FIG. 1 illustrates in side elevational and radial section, a cylindrical tank or container with a dome shaped top or cover, a downwardly dished bottom and an enclosing side wall that is made up of a succession of vertical pre-cast segments 10 assembled edge to edge and so joined and secured as to adequately witrstand internal pressure. Each segment or component 10 of the side wail structure, in horizontal cross-section as seen enlarged in FIG. 10 is of shallow U-shaped configuration and, as assembled in the side wall construction, has its arcuate base portion 10b, arched inwardly and its opposite side or leg portions are outwardly directed, These side edge portions 10c specifically define structural reinforcement or prestressed ribs for strengthening the container enclosing side wall.

The enclosing side wall of the cylindrical tank or container of FIG. 1 is shown to be supported upon a continuousfooting 11, and the area immediately within this footing is covered by a downwardly dished tank bottom 12. Overlying the enclosure as formed by the succession of juxtaposed segments 10 is the top or cover structure, designated in its entirety by numeral 13. In FIG. 1 this cover is shown to be of dome-like formation later to be described.

Each wall forming component 10 is formed to its full length in the outside surfaces of its opposite side or leg portions 100, as best shown in FIG. 10, closely adjacent the inner face of the arcuate base portion 10b with channels 14 for a purpose presently explained. Each of the side edge or leg portions 10c forms what is herein designated to be a half post and, in the wall structure, as formed by the assembled components 10, adjacent half posts together form a vertical post or structural reinforcing rib for the container side wall. Such reinforcing ribs for the containers of this invention are best shown in the sectional detailed views of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The preferred manner and means for joining adjacent side wall components 10 and sealing the joints between them is shown in these three views and in FIG. 90.

Referring again particularly to the tank of FIG. 1 and its side wall structure as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, it is to be noted that the vertical joints between adjacent half posts or side wall portions 100 are each sealed by a suitable compressible strip material 15, such as synthetic rubber or plastic which serves to compensate for slight variations in shape or surface smoothness along the longitudinally abutting edges. The disposition of this joint sealing material is shown in FIG. 7 to be contained in the opposedly related channels 14 as provided on the surfaces of adjacent side edge portions 100. The longitudinal channels 14 may be so made that their defining surfaces are rough or coarse in texture, thus to enable subsequently applied concrete upon being injected into the joint to effectively adhere thereto. The angular relationship of adjacent surfaces of half posts varies with the size and form of the container. In cylindrical containers all employing wall components of the same width, the angle increases with the lessening of the diameter. After the wall segments 10 are assembled and joined, as in FIG. 7, the joint is filled with concrete as at 16. This filling extends to the full length of the components. Also, the joint is filled at the inside of the plastic strip 15 as at 16.

The footing 11 on which the side wall components 10 are arranged in juxtaposition is of that cross-sectional formation best shown in FIG. 14 wherein it is seen to be of substantial vertical thickness. The footing is of annular formation to correspond to the size of tank or enclosure and about its outer peripheral portion is formed with an integrally cast upwardly projecting side wall retaining ring 28 and about its inside periphery is formed with a downwardly stepped, inwardly projecting ledge 29. The bottom 12 of the structure of FIG. 1 is made up of an annular downwardly sloping outer or rim portion 12s and a flat bottom slab 12d. The joint between the footing 11 and outer bottom parts 12s are sealed, as at 29' in FIG. 14 by a suit-able plastic material. Likewise, the parts 12s and 12d of the bottom have the joints between them filled with a suitable plastic to compensate for contraction or expansion.

In the assembly of the side wall segments 10 in a tank structure, as in FIG. 1, the segments are stood on end upon the footing 11, with the outer edges of the half post 10s engaged firmly against the upwardly projecting retaining ring 28 as has been shown in FIG. 14. The half posts of adjacent segments are then drawn tightly together by use of tie bolts 35 passed horizontally therethrough at intervals of about 3 feet in vertical spacing, as in FIG. 1. It has been shown in FIG. 7 that each half post 10s has tubular pipe sections 36 embedded therein in horizontal alignment with those of an adjacent half post to receive the tie bolts. The tie bolts have anchor plates 37 at their ends for engaging against the ends of the pipe inserts 36 and nuts 37 are threaded onto the ends of the tie bolts to draw the segments firmly together. This joining of segments 10 is done after the sealing strips 15 have been applied but before the concrete joint filling 16 has been injected. The ends of the tie bolts terminate within the half-posts and the sockets which contain the anchor plates and nuts are subsequently filled with concrete, as at 38 in FIG. 9a.

At their upper ends the assembled side wall forming segments 10 are held against outward forces by a prestressed concrete ring 40 that is applied about the tank. For support of this ring 40, the upper ends of the half posts are notched, to form seats 42 in which the ring is seated, as shown best in FIG. 14. This ring 40 serves in the same manner to retain the upper ends of the side wall components 10 against spreading as does the ring 28 formed integrally on the footing 11.

The top 13 of the tank of FIG. 1, here shown to be of dome-like form is made up of pie-shaped segments or slabs 50 which are placed radially edge to edge to rest at their wider outer ends on the top end surfaces of the sidewall structure, as comprised by the assembled and secured segments 10, against the ring 40. At their inner ends they rest firmly against and are interlocked with a concrete ring 52. This ring is supported by columns as formed and during the assembly and placing of the roof slabs 5t) and are removed from support upon completion of the top structure. The top opening as provided by the ring 52 may then be covered by a slab 53, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the pie shaped slabs 50 which are assembled to .form the top strl qt re is formed on its under side with an integrally cast beam 56b which extends centrally thereof substantially to its full length, as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. The slabs 50 are so dimensioned that in their placement for forming a cover or roof, the ends of the beam portions may be registered with and rested on the upper ends of the posts of the side wall components as in FIG. 14 and at the inner ends of the slabs they are extended slightly for their embedment in the concrete ring 52 as formed.

After the cover or top 13 has been completed, a concrete filling, as at 55 in FIGS. 1 and 14 is injected into the joint between the ends of side wall and top segments, and ring 40. Likewise, concrete filling 55x is applied between the lower ends of the side wall segments 10 and retaining ring 28 of the footing as shown in FIGS. 1 and 14. It is to be noted also in FIGS. 1 and 14 that a concrete filling 56 fills the space between the inside surface of the side wall as formed by the assembled units 10 and the upwardly projecting peripheral edge of the bottom segments 12s.

The radial joints between top slabs 50 are sealed with a suitable plastic or cementious filling to allow expansion or contraction without destroying the integrity of the joint.

The tank construction of FIG. 2 is substantially like that of FIGS. 1 and 3 except in its top and bottom formations, both of which are shown as being fiat. Like parts of all constructions herein illustrated have been given corresponding reference numerals.

The structure of FIG. 2 has a side wall formation that is substantially identical to that of FIG. 1, as is also its footing 11. Likewise the bottom 12 or floor is made up of pie shaped segments assembled as in FIG. 1. These are cast with thickened peripheral outer end supporting shoulders 13s that rest on the inwardly projecting ledge 29 of the footing 11, and at their inner ends are rested similarly on the projecting peripheral ledge of a circular central slab 12' of concrete. This fiat bottom wall is slightly downwardly dished in its peripheral formation.

It is further to be noted that in this structure of FIG. 2 the central bottom slab 12 serves as an adequate footing on which vertical columns 60 are arranged for the support of a concrete ring 61 on which the inner ends of the cover forming slabs 50 are rested. Because of the flatness of this top or cover, the supporting columns 60 of ring 61 remain as permanent supports therefor.

FIG. 4 shows the formation of a rectangular structure wherein the side wall segments are arranged on a footing 11 which would be essentially like that of FIG. 1 or 2 and provided with a suitable floor or bottom like that of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, or of other formation. Its cover or top structure would correspond to that of FIG. 11 that shows a succession of juxtaposed wall components 10 supported at their ends on the side walls of the enclosure and between its ends by columns 60 as in the structure of FIG. 2.

The side wall components 10 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 which are designed and assembled to withstand internal pressure are, in accordance with this invention, reversed, as in FIGS. 5 and 6, as required to withstand external or inwardly directed forces such as may be required for underground shelters. These structures would be provided with floor and roof structures appropriate for the requirement in accordance with the teachings herein and the disclosures of FIGS. 1, 2 and 11.

It is to be understood that in a structure in which the side wall components are arranged as in FIGS. 4 and 6, the joining of the halfipost portions 10c would be as seen in FIG. 9 wherein it is noted that the plastic joint filling strips 15 are located adjacent the inside surfaces of the half posts whereas in the tank of FIG. 1 they are adjacent the base edges of the components. However, the joints between components 10 of all structures are filled with cement in the same manner as in FIG. 7.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a prefabricated tank and the like having a continuous side wall and a footing supporting said wall; said side wall comprising a succession of like precast components arranged upright upon said footing in edge to edge relationship; each of said components being of shallow U-shape in cross-section with its basewall transversely arched and its opposite side edge portions forming legs extending in substantially parallel relationship away from the basewall; the joint between adjacent edge portions of adjacent components being sealed by plastic strips interposed between them and there being tie bolts extended through and joining said adjacent leg portions of adjacent components to retain the integrity of the joint and unify the joined components, said joined leg portions providing reinforcing posts; and a roof structure composed of a succession of adjacent radial slab-like segments rested at their outer ends on said continuous side wall and at their inner ends rested against a supporting ring, and wherein the radial slab-like segments of the roof structure are each formed lengthwise thereof on its underside and along a central longitudinal line, with a reinforcing beam integrally cast with the slab, said beams of said slabs resting at their outer ends on the upper ends of said reinforcing posts and at their inner ends are embedded in said supporting ring.

2. The prefabricated structure of claim 1 wherein the radial slab-like segments that form the roof are upwardly arched and are so supported as to coact in their assembly to form dome-like roof structure.

3. The prefabricated structure of claim 1 including a floor slab covering the area within said footing wherein the radial roof-like segments are flat and the ring on which they rest at their inner ends is supported by columns rested on said fioor slab.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,010 3/1914 Pugh 52265 1,185,871 6/1916 Broughton 52259 1,425,860 9/1922 Johnson 522O X 1,571,484 2/1926 Knight 52586 X 1,964,131 6/1934 Nelson et al 52396 2,202,745 5/1940 Muse 52259 X 2,592,634 4/1952 Wilson 52220 X 2,864,098 12/1958 Lorimer 52-247 X 2,902,157 9/1959 Culver 5220 X 3,180,057 4/1965 Pritzker 52-80 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

A. C. PERI-1AM, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A PREFABRICATED TANK AND THE LIKE HAVING A CONTINUOUS SIDE WALL AND A FOOTING SUPPORTING SAID WALL; SAID SIDE WALL COMPRISING A SUCCESSION OF LIKE PRECAST COMPONENTS ARRANGED UPRIGHT UPON SAID FOOTING IN EDGE TO EDGE RELATIONSHIP; EACH OF SAID COMPONENTS BEING OF SHALLOW U-SHAPE IN CROSS-SECTION WITH ITS BASEWALL TRANSVERSELY ARCHED AND ITS OPPOSITE SIDE EDGE PORTIONS FORMING LEGS EXTENDING IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP AWAY FROM THE BASEWALL; THE JOINT BETWEEN ADJACENT EDGE PORTIONS OF ADJACENT COMPONENTS BEING SEALED BY PLASTIC STRIPS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THEM AND THERE BEING TIE BOLTS EXTENDED THROUGH AND JOINING SAID ADJACENT LEG PORTIONS OF ADJACENT COMPONENTS TO RETAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE JOINT AND UNIFY THE JOINED COMPONENTS, SAID JOINED LEG PORTIONS PROVIDING REINFORCING POSTS; AND A ROOF STRUCTURE COMPOSED OF A

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