Patent ID: 8734052

Claim:
A tank base sized to provide a load-bearing support for an above-ground storage tank and configured to allow moisture to pass, the above-ground storage tank having a bottom and defining a diameter, the tank base comprising: a first encapsulated substrate, comprising: a first part comprising polystyrene, the first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the above-ground storage tank, the first thickness being at least about 3 inches; and a first elastomer encapsulating the first part, the first elastomer comprising polyurea, the first elastomer having a thickness of at least about 50 mils; wherein the first encapsulated substrate comprises a first planar portion; a second encapsulated substrate positioned adjacent to the first encapsulated substrate, the second encapsulated substrate comprising: a second part comprising polystyrene, the second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the above-ground storage tank, the second thickness being at least about 3 inches; and a second elastomer encapsulating the second part, the second elastomer comprising polyurea, the second elastomer having a thickness of at least about 50 mils; wherein the second encapsulated substrate comprises a second planar portion; wherein the first and second planar portions are coplanar and perpendicular to each of the respective first and second thicknesses of the first and second parts; and wherein at least one of the first and second encapsulated substrates defines a dimension sized to accommodate the diameter of the above-ground storage tank and to provide the load-bearing support for the above-ground storage tank, the dimension extending in a direction that is perpendicular to each of the respective first and second thicknesses of the first and second parts, the dimension ranging from about 10 to 18 feet; and a first seam formed between the first and second encapsulated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second encapsulated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the tank, via the first seam, when the tank base provides the load-bearing support for the above-ground storage tank.