Types of Water Tanks used in Construction Field - Lceted

Water Tanks

Water sometimes needs to be stored for some period depending on the source of water, the purpose of water use and type of water supply system. Water tanks, particularly their material of construction, play an important role in maintaining the quality of stored water.

Storage tanks are either constructed or assembled on-site or directly installed. Generally, commercially available smaller-sized tanks (particularly in volume) made of various materials are directly installed. Masonry or reinforced cement concrete tanks that are comparatively larger in size are constructed on the site where they are to be located. Larger tanks made of iron or steel sheets are generally assembled at the location site. The selection criteria for storage tank materials should be based on economy, durability and possibility of water contamination.

 

Tanks of various materials are discussed below.

 

What is RCC or masonry tank?

Constructed tanks on the ground or roof, generally with capacities exceeding 50,000 l, are mostly made of reinforced cement concrete (RCC). The RCC tank is less expensive for tanks sized smaller than 1,000,000 litre capacity. For tanks greater than 1,000,000 litre capacity, a pre-stressed concrete tank is supposed to be less expensive by approximately 20 per cent compared with the cost of an RCC tank of that size [10]. Walls of the underground water reservoirs of comparatively smaller depth can be made of bricks. Generally, tanks of capacities ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 litres can be made of bricks [11]. Tanks can be built in any shape and size with these materials. Masonry tanks are economical; however, making them watertight is difficult.

 

What is a Ferro-cement tank?

Ferro-cement is a cement-based composite construction material; it is modified from normal reinforced cement concrete by using mesh reinforcement instead of reinforcing bars. This type of construction is effective and durable construction material for water tanks. Ferro-cement water tanks can be used for water storage in buildings. A commercially available Ferro-cement tank of 1.2 cum area, is built by assembling 20 numbers of 525 sqmm ferro-cement plates of 12 mm thickness, made of cement and sand and reinforced with two layers of 18 BWG wire mesh. Ferro-cement tanks can be found pre-assembled and also in parts for erection at the site. Techniques for constructing ferro-cement tanks of ≤25,000-litre capacity have been developed [12]. If stored water is acidic and contains very few mineral salts, the water stored in an RCC, masonry or ferro-cement tank becomes neutral or lightly alkaline (pH between 7.5 and 8.5) and is also weakly mineralized.

 

What is GI tank?

These tanks are fabricated of galvanized iron sheets. Smaller tanks can be made of 16–18 BWG-thick iron sheets by riveting with GI rivets at corner edges. The maximum capacity of these tanks is ≤1800 litres. Corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) tanks are also available, which are manufactured of corrugated iron or steel sheets of 20-gauge thickness. With this type of sheet, tanks of ≤300,000 l capacity can be built. This type of metal tank is popular for aesthetic reasons, fire resistance, unchanged quality of stored water and durability.

 

What is Stainless steel tank?

These tanks are made of stainless steel sheets with thickness varying from 0.6 to 3 mm depending on the size and ranging from 200 litres to as big as 1 million [13] litres. These tanks are durable, highly resistant to corrosion and almost maintenance-free; however, they are costlier.

 

What is a Plastic tank?

These tanks are made of fibreglass-reinforced plastics, high-density polyethene or other plastic materials. The tanks are relatively light, easy to carry and easy to install; however, they are not durable due to the deterioration of plastic quality from the sun’s rays. A plastic tank of maximum size thus far manufactured has a 45,000-litre capacity. All plastic tanks used for storing water to be used for culinary or drinking purpose must be made of food-grade plastic. A vertical-type plastic tank, as shown in Figure below, should be placed on a masonry base, which must be constructed in such a way that it supports the entire bottom surface of the tank.

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