Prior to the erection of the precast wall panels, preparations are made to support them temporarily either by bracing them to the dome roof falsework or by the use of specially designed knee braces.

Once the erection of the wall panels begins, the crane hooks onto the lifting inserts that are cast into the panels. During this tilt-up construction, the lifting crane operates from select positions to minimize the distance between panel casting beds and the final position of the panels.

The wall panels are placed in their final position on elastomeric bearing pads. The pads are designed to allow the wall to slide freely, thus eliminating the high bending moments inherent in the fixed or hinged connections of other tank designs.

High-strength shotcrete is used to fill the vertical slot joints between the individual panels. The diaphragm overlap between each panel is sealed to produce a continuous, watertight, impermeable membrane. A minimum 1/2” of shotcrete is then placed on the outside face of the diaphragm in preparation for the wire winding operation.