Leak resistant concrete septic tank

Abstract

A method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank and the associated tank is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes pouring an integral tub having an integral tub cap and an integral tub sidewall. The integral tub may have a base attachment surface. Following pouring, the integral tub is cured. Once cured, the integral tub may be oriented to position the base attachment surface over a gravity base form. A base may be created in the gravity base form. The base attachment surface may be positioned at an integral tub set height from a bottom surface of the gravity base form. The base has a base thickness and a base ledge. The tub set height may be less than the base thickness. When the base is poured, a joint may be formed between the integral tub and the base. The formation of the joint encloses an influent chamber.

1 . A method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ), comprising:
 (A) creating an integral tub ( 100 ) by pouring concrete into a gravity tub form ( 30 ) such that the concrete first fills a sidewall form portion ( 34 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ) to create at least one integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) and then, with continued pouring, the concrete fills a top portion ( 32 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ) creating an integral tub cap ( 200 ), wherein,
 (i) the integral tub cap ( 200 ) has a cap interior surface ( 210 ) and a cap exterior surface ( 220 ), and 
 (ii) the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) has a sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), a sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ), and a base attachment surface ( 340 ), 
   (B) curing the integral tub ( 100 ) until the integral tub ( 100 ) is sufficiently strong,   (C) orienting the integral tub ( 100 ) within a gravity base form ( 40 ) such that the base attachment surface ( 340 ) is at an integral tub set height ( 350 ), wherein the tub set height ( 350 ) is measured from the base attachment surface ( 340 ) to a bottom surface ( 42 ) of the gravity base form ( 40 ),   (D) creating a base ( 500 ) by pouring concrete into the gravity base form ( 40 ) such that the base ( 500 ) has a base interior surface ( 510 ), a base exterior surface ( 520 ), a base perimeter ( 530 ), a ledge ( 540 ), and a base thickness ( 550 ), wherein the tub set height ( 350 ) is less than the base thickness ( 550 ), whereby the concrete contacts the base attachment surface ( 340 ) and then, with continued pouring, the concrete proceeds up the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ) and the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) thereby forming a joint ( 600 ) between the base ( 500 ) and the integral tub ( 100 ) such that the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), the cap interior surface ( 210 ), and the base interior surface ( 510 ) enclose an influent chamber ( 15 ); and   (E) curing the base ( 500 ) such that the base ( 500 ) hardens around the base attachment surface ( 340 ) and a portion of the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the joint ( 600 ) substantially prevents a liquid influent ( 10 ) from leaking out of the influent chamber ( 15 ) through the joint ( 600 ) during operation of the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ).   
   
   
       2 . The method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 (i) creating an influent port ( 800 ) through the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the influent port ( 800 ) extends from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), and   (ii) creating an effluent port ( 900 ) through the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the effluent port ( 900 ) extends from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ).   
   
   
       3 . The method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 2 , further including the steps of:
 (i) installing an influent fitting ( 810 ) into the influent port ( 800 ), and   (ii) installing an effluent fitting ( 910 ) into the effluent port ( 900 ), such that when the influent ( 10 ) flows into the influent chamber ( 15 ) though the influent fitting ( 810 ), the influent ( 10 ) is treated, and an effluent ( 20 ) flows out of the influent chamber ( 15 ) through the effluent fitting ( 910 ).   
   
   
       4 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , wherein during the step of creating the integral tub ( 100 ), the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) further includes positioning a reinforcement member ( 360 ) substantially longitudinally within the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) so that the reinforcement member ( 360 ) protrudes from the base attachment surface ( 340 ) an extension distance ( 362 ), such that during the step of creating the base ( 500 ), the reinforcement member ( 360 ) extends into the base ( 500 ). 
   
   
       5 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the extension distance ( 362 ) that is less than the integral tub set height ( 350 ). 
   
   
       6 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the extension distance ( 362 ) is substantially equal to the integral tub set height ( 350 ). 
   
   
       7 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the integral tub set height ( 350 ) is between approximately 10% and approximately 60% of the base thickness ( 550 ). 
   
   
       8 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) is formed with a plurality of gripping fixtures ( 322 ) such that the gripping fixtures ( 322 ) ease rotation of the integral tub ( 100 ). 
   
   
       9 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the gripping fixtures ( 322 ) are indentations ( 323 ). 
   
   
       10 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the ledge ( 540 ) has a ledge width ( 542 ) measured from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the base perimeter ( 530 ), and the ledge width ( 542 ) is between approximately 1 inch and approximately 6 inches. 
   
   
       11 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 1 , wherein during curing of the base ( 500 ), as the base ( 500 ) hardens, compressive stresses are formed in the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ) and tensile stresses are formed in the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ). 
   
   
       12 . A method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ), comprising:
 (A) creating an integral tub ( 100 ) by pouring concrete into a gravity tub form ( 30 ) such that the concrete first fills a sidewall form portion ( 34 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ) to create at least one integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) and an integral partition wall ( 400 ) and then, with continued pouring, the concrete fills a top portion ( 32 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ) creating an integral tub cap ( 200 ), wherein,
 (i) the integral tub cap ( 200 ) has a cap interior surface ( 210 ) and a cap exterior surface ( 220 ), 
 (ii) the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) has a sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), a sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ), and a base attachment surface ( 340 ), and 
 (iii) the integral partition wall ( 400 ) has a influent chamber surface ( 410 ) and an effluent chamber surface ( 420 ), 
   (B) curing the integral tub ( 100 ) until the integral tub ( 100 ) is sufficiently strong,   (C) orienting the integral tub ( 100 ) within a gravity base form ( 40 ) such that the base attachment surface ( 340 ) is at an integral tub set height ( 350 ), wherein the tub set height ( 350 ) is measured from the base attachment surface ( 340 ) to a bottom surface ( 42 ) of the gravity base form ( 40 ),   (D) creating a base ( 500 ) by pouring concrete into the gravity base form ( 40 ) such that the base ( 500 ) has a base interior surface ( 510 ), a base exterior surface ( 520 ), a base perimeter ( 530 ), a ledge ( 540 ), and a base thickness ( 550 ), wherein the tub set height ( 350 ) is less than the base thickness ( 550 ), whereby the concrete contacts the base attachment surface ( 340 ) and then, with continued pouring, the concrete proceeds up the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ) and the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) thereby forming a joint ( 600 ) between the base ( 500 ) and the integral tub ( 100 ) such that the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), the cap interior surface ( 210 ), and the base interior surface ( 510 ) enclose an influent chamber ( 15 ), and the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), the cap interior surface ( 210 ), the base interior surface ( 510 ), and the effluent chamber surface ( 420 ) enclose an effluent chamber ( 25 ); and   (E) curing the base ( 500 ) such that the base ( 500 ) hardens around the base attachment surface ( 340 ) and a portion of the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the joint ( 600 ) substantially prevents a liquid influent ( 10 ) from leaking out of the influent chamber ( 15 ) through the joint ( 600 ) and the joint ( 600 ) substantially prevents the influent ( 10 ) from leaking out of the effluent chamber ( 25 ) through the joint ( 600 ) during operation of the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ).   
   
   
       13 . The method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , further including the steps of:
 (i) creating an influent port ( 800 ) through the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the influent port ( 800 ) extends from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ),   (ii) creating an effluent port ( 900 ) through the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) such that the effluent port ( 900 ) extends from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), and   (iii) creating a passageway ( 430 ) through the integral partition wall ( 400 ) such that the passageway ( 430 ) extends from the influent chamber surface ( 410 ) to the effluent chamber surface ( 420 ) whereby the influent chamber ( 15 ) is in fluid communication with the effluent chamber ( 25 ).   
   
   
       14 . The method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 13 , further including the steps of:
 (i) installing an influent fitting ( 810 ) into the influent port ( 800 ), and   (ii) installing an effluent fitting ( 910 ) into the effluent port ( 900 ), such that when the influent ( 10 ) flows into the influent chamber ( 15 ) though the influent fitting ( 810 ), the influent ( 10 ) is treated, and then the influent ( 10 ) flows into the effluent chamber ( 25 ) through the passageway ( 430 ) for further treatment, thereby creating an effluent ( 20 ) which flows out of the effluent chamber ( 25 ) through the effluent fitting ( 910 ).   
   
   
       15 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , wherein during the step of creating the integral tub ( 100 ), the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) further includes positioning a reinforcement member ( 360 ) substantially longitudinally within the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) so that the reinforcement member ( 360 ) protrudes from the base attachment surface ( 340 ) an extension distance ( 362 ), and during the step of creating the base ( 500 ), the reinforcement member ( 360 ) extends into the base ( 500 ). 
   
   
       16 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the extension distance ( 362 ) that is less than the integral tub set height ( 350 ). 
   
   
       17 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the extension distance ( 362 ) is substantially equal to the integral tub set height ( 350 ). 
   
   
       18 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , wherein the integral tub set height ( 350 ) is between approximately 10% and approximately 60% of the base thickness ( 550 ). 
   
   
       19 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , wherein the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) is formed with a plurality of gripping fixtures ( 322 ) such that the gripping fixtures ( 322 ) ease rotation of the integral tub ( 300 ). 
   
   
       20 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , wherein the gripping fixtures ( 322 ) are indentations ( 323 ). 
   
   
       21 . The method for constructing the leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) of  claim 12 , wherein the ledge ( 540 ) has a ledge width ( 542 ) measured from the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) to the base perimeter ( 530 ), and the ledge width ( 542 ) is between approximately 1 inch and approximately 6 inches. 
   
   
       22 . A leak resistant concrete septic tank ( 50 ) comprising:
 an integral tub ( 100 ) formed with an integral tub cap ( 200 ) and at least one integral tub sidewall ( 300 ), wherein when the integral tub ( 100 ) is formed by pouring concrete into a gravity tub form ( 30 ) such that,
 (i) the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) is formed by pouring concrete into a sidewall form portion ( 34 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ), with the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) having a sidewall interior surface ( 310 ), a sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ), and a base attachment surface ( 340 ), and the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) has a reinforcement member ( 360 ) protruding from the base attachment surface ( 340 ); and 
 (ii) the integral tub cap ( 200 ) is formed by continuing to pour concrete into a top form portion ( 32 ) of the gravity tub form ( 30 ), with the integral tub cap ( 200 ) having a cap interior surface ( 210 ) and a cap exterior surface ( 220 ); 
   a base ( 500 ) formed with a base interior surface ( 510 ), a base exterior surface ( 520 ), a base perimeter ( 530 ), a base ledge ( 540 ), and a base thickness ( 550 ), wherein the base ledge ( 540 ) has a ledge width ( 542 ) measured from the base perimeter ( 530 ) to the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ) such that the ledge width ( 542 ) is between approximately 1 inch and approximately 6 inches; and   a leak resistant joint ( 600 ) joining the integral tub sidewall ( 300 ) to the base ( 500 ), wherein the leak resistant joint ( 600 ) is formed between the base ( 500 ) and the integral tub ( 100 ) as the base attachment surface ( 340 ) of the integral tub ( 100 ) is positioned within a gravity base form ( 40 ) at an integral tub set height ( 350 ) above a bottom surface ( 42 ) of the gravity base form ( 40 ) such that when the base ( 500 ) is poured, the concrete contacts the base attachment surface ( 340 ) and, with continued pouring, the concrete proceeds up the sidewall interior surface ( 310 ) and the sidewall exterior surface ( 320 ), and wherein the integral tub set height ( 350 ) is between approximately 10% and 60% of the base thickness ( 550 ), and the reinforcement member ( 360 ) extends an extension distance ( 362 ) from the base attachment surface ( 340 ) to the end of the reinforcement member ( 360 ) and that is substantially equal to the integral tub set height ( 350 ).