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Reservoirs - General description

1.1 Introduction
Concrete is a porous material and as such not completely liquid and gas tight. However, under certain
conditions a concrete structure may behave liquid tight, or guarantee an adequate tightness. In this respect, the following aspects are important:
Composition of the concrete mixture
Structural design
Control of crack formation
Construction execution
It should be clear that the aspect of liquid tightness requires a lot of attention. In most codes, not
much attention is paid to liquid-tight structural design. But due to the increasing attention for the protection of ground and ground water against pollutants, a strong stimulus has been created for the production of liquid-tight structures. The theme liquid tightness will be discussed intensively in Chapter 2.

1.2 Design
The shape of structures for the storage of liquid of gas is determined by a number of factors:
Capacity
Process engineering considerations
Design considerations
Aesthetics
Soil conditions
The following shapes are imaginable and feasible (Fig. 1.1):
Rectangular (single or multiple)
Cylindrical
Conical (for example water towers)
Egg-shaped (for example sludge fermentation tanks)
Drop-shaped or spherical (often in steel, drinking water storage)

Base moments

Horizontal moments
spheroid

Fig. 1.1: Possible reservoir designs: drop-shaped, rectangular and cylindrical.

The structural difference between the above mentioned types is enormous. For the drop-shaped or
spherical tanks the membrane action is predominant, while for the rectangular reservoir the bending and
shear actions are most important (also see Fig. 1.1). In most cases, combinations of several loading
cases have to be analysed.
In these notes attention will be paid to reservoirs of rectangular and cylindrical shape that are made
from reinforced or prestressed concrete (also see Fig. 1.2). Further, a distinction can be made between
in-situ concrete and precast concrete structures.

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Fig. 1.2: Tall aeration tank: situation during construction.

1.3 Function of reservoirs

Reservoirs may have a permanent or temporary function. Next to the storage function, for some structures the transport function is dominant. In the case of storage of environmentally hazardous fluids, the
protective function may be the most important one. Except the capability of storage, the structure must
also be able to resist extreme loads such as impacts, explosions and fires without loosing its retaining
function. Depending on the relevant conditions and load configurations, the structure has to maintain it
liquid retaining function on a permanent or temporary basis. Retaining liquid does not necessarily mean
that the structure is 100% liquid tight.
Reservoirs are very important from a strategic point of view. This is not only the case for industrialised
societies, but also for developing countries. It often concerns the storage of liquids, gases, bulk products, energy carriers, etc., the availability of which is crucial for the functioning of society. Consequently, these structures have to be operational reliable. As far as the structural aspect is concerned, the
main responsibility lies with the designer. Proper understanding of the force transmission and distribution, smart detailing and good construction is of essential importance to come to a good and reliable
product.

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