Circumferential prestressing is the key to a superior water storage structure. By continually keeping the tank wall in a state of compression, regardless of the service conditions, tensile cracks are eliminated.

As each wire is applied, it is continually stressed within a tightly held tolerance, ensuring no movement of the wire against the wall. The applied prestressing counteracts the hydrostatic load and maintains a residual compression in the tank wall.

Applied in a helical process, the prestressing wire is wrapped in layered phases, with each layer receiving a shotcrete wire coat. By covering each wire, a fully bonded prestressing system is provided, with the highest level of corrosion protection.

The tank wall is wrapped to an initial maximum compressive stress of 0.55 f’c and a final design compressive stress of 0.45 f’c after prestressing losses. The actual stress in the wire is accurately measured during winding to ensure that the applied prestressing force is in accordance with the tank design.

The completed wire-wound tank, if left in its natural finish, can be sandblasted to an even texture and color. Should the owner desire, a decorative coating can be applied to the exposed surface area of the tank.

Many architectural treatments are easily provided. Intermittent vertical pilasters built of concrete or brick are but one example of the geometric and textured treatments that can be incorporated to blend the facility into the surroundings (see our Architectural Treatment brochure).

The result is an aesthetically pleasing tank that requires no routine maintenance and will out-service any storage alternative. So the next time you are in the market for a new storage facility, call Preload for the best-built tanks in the world.