Apparatus and Methods for Underground Structures and Construction Thereof

Abstract

Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A warehouse facility comprising:
 a cylindrical structure including a plurality of segments forming horizontal rings stacked vertically,   at least one anchoring structure at or below a bottom horizontal ring; and   one or more vertical post-tensioning cables configured to connect the at least one anchoring structure, extend through one or more segments, terminate at a location on or above the first horizontal ring, and reinforce the cylindrical structure.   
     
     
         2 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more horizontal post-tensioning cables configured to hold together the plurality of segments within a horizontal ring. 
     
     
         3 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more horizontal support members selected from one or more decks, one or more stiffener rings, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments comprise concrete segments. 
     
     
         5 . The warehouse facility of  claim 4 , wherein the concrete segments include at least one vertical conduit configured to house the one or more vertical post-tensioning cables, at least one horizontal conduit configured to house one or more horizontal post-tensioning cables, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more devices to hold together the horizontal rings stacked vertically. 
     
     
         7 . The warehouse facility of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more devices to hold together the horizontal rings stacked vertically are bolts. 
     
     
         8 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical structure has a radius of between about 25 ft and about 200 ft. 
     
     
         9 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchoring structure is a foundation, a deck, a concrete anchor, the bottom horizontal ring, a tensioned anchor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The warehouse facility of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical structure is configured to house automobiles, large items, liquid, gas, waste, containments, a utility station, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The warehouse facility of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid is water, fuel, or liquid propane. 
     
     
         12 . A system for creating a warehouse facility comprising:
 a plurality of segments used to fabricate a cylindrical structure including horizontal rings stacked vertically each formed from the plurality of segments; one or more materials to occupy the void between the vertically stacked horizontal rings; and one or more vertical post-tensioning cables configured to connect at least one anchoring structure, extend through one or more segments, terminate at a location on or above the cylindrical structure, and reinforce the cylindrical structure.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising one or more horizontal post-tensioning cables configured to hold together the plurality of segments within a horizontal ring. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising one or more horizontal support members selected from one or more decks, one or more stiffener rings, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more horizontal rings comprise one or more key segments within the plurality of segments used to construct the one or more horizontal rings. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of segments comprises prefabricated concrete segments each including at least one vertical conduit configured to house the one or more vertical post-tensioning cables, at least one horizontal conduit configured to house one or more horizontal post-tensioning cables, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the cylindrical structure has a radius between about 25 ft and about 200 ft. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one anchoring structure is a foundation, a deck, a concrete anchor, the bottom horizontal ring, a tensioned anchor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the cylindrical structure is configured to house automobiles, large items, liquid, gas, waste, containments, a utility station, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the liquid is water, fuel, or liquid propane.