Tank Wall Connection

Abstract

A tank wall connection includes a base having a base recess and a wall having an end positioned in the base recess. A grout is filled in the base recess around the end of the wall. A caulk is disposed at a wall joint between the wall and the grout. An epoxy layer is disposed over the caulk and the grout at the wall joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tank wall connection, comprising:
 a base having a base recess;   a wall having an end positioned in the base recess;   a grout filled in the base recess around the end of the wall;   a caulk disposed at a wall joint between the wall and the grout; and   an epoxy layer disposed over the caulk and the grout at the wall joint.   
     
     
         2 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a top surface and the base recess extends into the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The tank wall connection of  claim 2 , wherein the epoxy layer extends over the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The tank wall connection of  claim 3 , wherein the grout is aligned with the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , wherein the epoxy layer is disposed over the base. 
     
     
         6 . The tank wall connection of  claim 5 , wherein the epoxy layer is disposed over a base joint between the base and the grout. 
     
     
         7 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , wherein the epoxy layer is not disposed on the wall. 
     
     
         8 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , further comprising a shim positioned in the base recess. 
     
     
         9 . The tank wall connection of  claim 8 , wherein the shim is positioned between the end of the wall and the base. 
     
     
         10 . The tank wall connection of  claim 8 , wherein the shim is covered by the grout. 
     
     
         11 . The tank wall connection of  claim 8 , wherein the shim is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the wall are each formed of a concrete material. 
     
     
         13 . The tank wall connection of  claim 1 , wherein the epoxy layer extends in a single plane. 
     
     
         14 . A process of connecting a wall and a base in a retaining tank, comprising:
 providing the base with a base recess;   positioning an end of the wall in the base recess;   filling the base recess with a grout around the end of the wall;   applying a caulk at a wall joint between the wall and the grout; and   applying an epoxy layer over the caulk and the grout at the wall joint.   
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the grout is cured before the caulk is applied. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the caulk is cured before the epoxy layer is applied. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the epoxy layer is not applied on the wall. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the epoxy layer is applied over the base. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein the epoxy layer covers a base joint between the grout and the base. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising positioning a shim in the base recess before positioning the end of the wall in the base recess.