1-888-PRELOAD Tank Applications Projects Design & Construction Who We Are Blog Careers Contact Us DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Home > Design & Construction DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION THE PRELOAD ADVANTAGE PRELOAD has maintained a focused vision on designing and constructing the highest-quality and most durable liquid storage tanks for over 90 years. From the first-ever wire-wound, prestressed concrete tank to the advanced tanks of today, PRELOAD’s legacy is built on the design and construction of more than 4,000 tanks worldwide. PRELOAD tanks are designed and constructed to meet or exceed applicable industry requirements as contained in the following: American Water Works Association (AWWA) D110, Wire- and Strand-Wound, Circular, Prestressed Concrete Water Tanks. American Concrete Institute (ACI) 372R, Design and Construction of Circular Wire- and Strand-Wrapped Prestressed Concrete Structures. American Concrete Institute (ACI) 350, Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures. National Fire Protection Authority (NFPA) 22, Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection. SINGULAR RESPONSIBILITY From detailed tank design through completed construction, PRELOAD provides “singular responsibility” for all our clients. Singular responsibility ensures every project detail is exceptionally managed, including implementing the highest quality standards and processes necessary to provide a virtually maintenance-free liquid storage solution. DESIGN CONSTRUCTION ACCESSORIES ARCHITECTURAL TREATMENTS LEADING TANK INNOVATION PROVIDING THE MOST DURABLE, LOW-MAINTENANCE TANK STARTS WITH AN EXPERIENCED, FOCUSED DESIGN TEAM. Since constructing the world’s first wire-wound prestressed concrete tank in 1941, Preload’s engineers have led the industry in Innovation and Quality. Even after 90 years, our engineers continue to collaborate with owners, consultants, material providers, and field crews to advance the design. All AWWA D110, Type III Wire-wound Prestressed Concrete Tanks feature Concrete Floor, Precast, Watertight Steel Shell Diaphragm, Concrete Core Wall, Sliding Floor to Wall Base Connection, Circumferential Wall Prestressing and Concrete Roof (as required). These elements combined create the most proven, watertight, durable, efficient, and low-maintenance tank in the world. WORLD-LEADING DESIGN LEARN ABOUT THE OUR WORLD-LEADING DESIGN FEATURES Wall Roof Floor CORE WALL The tank wall is constructed using precast wall panel fabrication and erection techniques specified in ACI 372R and further delineated as Type III in AWWA D110. Precasting methods for Preload wall panels provide an unequaled level of quality control and represent the most advanced innovation in tank wall construction methods. Tank wall panels are precast on-site around the perimeter of the tank. Panels are constructed through an efficient stack-casting process in casting beds shaped to the curvature of the tank wall. Before casting panels, a layout is prepared to show the panel bed locations relative to the tank structure. This method of construction is highly adaptable to any site condition. WALL RESTRAINT COVER COAT PRESTRESSING roof wall floor ACCESSORIES After the construction of the tank is complete, accessories are added to complement the tank structure based on specific project requirements. Accessories are fabricated from premium materials to assure durability and virtually no maintenance, reducing or eliminating costly service interruptions for the life of the tank structure. Like the tanks themselves, accessories are designed to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Accessories include: LEARN MORE CONSTRUCTION THE LEADING DESIGN BUILT BY PRELOAD'S LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION A design is only as good as the construction professionals who build it, their construction processes, quality control focus, and safety commitment. Preload trains and equips all of our valued construction employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to be successful professionally and personally. Each of Preload’s tank construction processes has been developed and refined over decades and thousands of tanks. Consistently implementing these proven processes, verified with a thorough quality control program, assures generations of durable and reliable tank service. SAFETY & QUALITY Foundation Piping Floor & Footing Restraint Wall Roof Prestressing Cover Coat FOUNDATION PRELOAD TANKS START WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION Tank construction begins with the foundation. A solid tank foundation requires thorough subbase preparation. Our engineers carefully review each project to ensure that geotechnical issues are correctly addressed throughout the subgrade and subbase preparation. After the sub base is prepared, a minimum 6” thick leveling course of granular material is placed on top of the subgrade. This allows for a free-draining work area to facilitate construction and ensures close tolerances in constructing the finished floor. The Preload Team’s expertise and experience in tank foundation design and construction are unequaled in the industry. SHALLOW FOUNDATION The most common tank foundation is a Shallow Foundation, where the tank floor and footing loads bearing directly on native soil or engineered fill. The foundation soils are usually prepared by excavating unsuitable soils, proof rolling/inspecting the subgrade, and replacing the unsuitable soils with controlled, compacted structural. A shallow foundation is typically used in conjunction with a concrete membrane tank floor. However, certain scenarios such as very high tank structural loads or unsuitable soils extending below a practical depth may deter the use of a conventional shallow foundation. In this case, foundation options include a deep (pile) foundation or a ground improvement foundation system. DEEP FOUNDATION Deep foundation systems support tank structural and liquid loads through the use of a structural element (steel H-pile, auger cast-in-place pile, precast concrete pile, drilled shaft, etc.) installed to a soil bearing layer or a sufficient depth to provide end bearing support, adequate skin friction over the pile length for support or both. The piles support the compressive load and other loads from the structure with minimal deflection vertically. Usually, the vertical deflection of a pile is considered minimal. As the tank floor bears directly on the piles, a structural concrete tank floor is used to resist shear from the pile points loads and bending moments between piles. ARCHITECTURAL TREATMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO WATER STORAGE TANK DESIGN, DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES HAVE DIFFERENT AESTHETIC NEEDS That’s why we offer a wide range of design possibilities, enabling you to choose the look that best suits your environment. We build Preload tanks in diverse configurations — including at grade, partially buried, or fully buried — to satisfy your profile preferences and accommodate specific site conditions. Additionally, with a Preload tank, you can select from a wide range of colors and geometric alternatives, as well as exterior treatments to blend with nearby structures and the surrounding environment. Whatever your location, we’ll build the right tank to suit your community’s needs. With a wide range of exterior treatments and coatings, you can select the right combination to suit your needs. Choose from such architectural treatments as: PILASTERS Pilasters provide a simple yet striking aesthetic feature to your tank. Pilasters can be made from precast panels, shotcrete, brick, and EIFS. ROOF PERIMETER PANELS Concrete Panels or concrete parapet and ring the tank edge to visually extend the wall above the roof. This technique is typically used when masking the concrete dome is desired for low profile tanks and/or partially buried tanks. ARCHED PILASTERS Arched Pilasters are similar to pilasters with the addition of an arch between pilasters. Arches are often seen as a complement to the visually appealing dome. The arches and pilasters can be painted in contrasting colors to the rest of the tank creating a distinctive visual appeal. BRICK FACING Brick facing is similarly installed on tanks to brick facing for buildings. The brick is non-structural and supported by a brick ledge integral with the wall/footing. Brick is commonly utilized to blend the tank in with other similarly brick-faced structures such as pump stations or treatment buildings. EXTERIOR INSULATION & FINISHING SYSTEM Commonly known as EIFS, this architectural system provides the greatest flexibility of design and color. We can construct detailed shapes and textures to disguise the tank as a building, monument, or intricate pattern. EXTERNAL CLADDING External Cladding is installed to mask the specific aesthetic features of the tank. This cladding effect can be created from various materials, including panelized insulation for tanks requiring internal liquid temperature control. Cladding can also be combined with canopies and lighting to create depth and illumination. We can also coat your tank’s surface in a color of your choice or retain its natural color. Whichever treatment you choose, you can count on Preload to build the tank that fits best in your environment. LET'S GET STARTED We were the first ones there and the we’ll be the last to leave. Whatever your needs, we have the experience and vision to get your job done right. CONTACT US REQUEST A QUOTE ABOUT Preload wire-wound, prestressed concrete tanks are the ideal storage solution for water, storm water, wastewater treatment, thermal, biofuel, and LNG Tanks. © 2020 Preload LLC. All rights reserved. LOCATIONS HEADQUARTERS 4000 Tower Road Louisville, KY 40219 Contact Us 888-773-5623 NORTHEAST REGION 135 Engineers Road, Ste.120 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Contact Us 888-773-5623 36 Commerce Way Woburn, MA 01801 Contact Us SOUTHWEST REGION 1219 Digital Drive, Ste.120 Richardson, TX 75081 Contact Us SOUTHEAST REGION 453 Dauphin St Mobile, AL 36606 Contact Us FOLLOW US HAVE QUESTIONS Hatfield Media Logo and Website Link SITE INFO | PRIVACY POLICY