Tank days 2 and 3 - 2010-10-26/27

It has taken almost 3 days to get this tank into the ground. The shoring arrived from Melbourne on time on the 26th and was assembled and positioned in the hole. Overnight about 350 mm of ground water ran into the hole, this had to be pumped out before they could proceed.

Time-lapse      Video Day 2

Time-lapse      Video Day 3

Once the final half metre of so was excavated from the hole, a load of crushed rock was placed in the bottom of the hole and leveled.

There was a bit of tension in the air as the 6.385 tonne base was lifted into the hole. There was some concern about the stability of the ground around the edge of the hole and how the machine was going to handle the load stretched out over the hole.

A sigh of relief as the base went in without incident.






With a bit of pushing and pulling the mid section was in position.

The top section 5.565 tonne was lower into position, unfortunately it caught the sealing mastic (black) and had to be lifted out so that the mastic could be replaced. More tension as it was lifted back into position and finally it was in place! Smiles all round!

The water arrived on time on the 27th and 19,000 litres was pumped into our new tank to join the 200mm or so of ground water that the hydrostatic valve in the bottom of the tank let in overnight. ("we know it is working")

The form work was then lifted out and the back filling began. Several truck loads of fill that we had carted away had to be carted back!