Method of connecting tank segments

Abstract

There are provided methods of connecting wall sections together. An exemplary embodiment provides a tank wall section having a first end that includes a series of spaced apart through holes. The tank wall section also has a second end that includes a series of spaced apart nubs. The nubs are sized, configured and spaced apart to register with the series of spaced apart through holes of a second tank wall section. The nubs each have affixing through holes extending from a first side of the nub through to an opposite side of the nub. The through holes are each sized and shaped to receive a retaining pin extending through the first side of the nub and through the opposite side of the nub to thereby couple the tank wall section to a second tank wall section.

1 . A method of connecting sections of a tank wall to each other, the method comprising:
 aligning, at least partially, a first end of a first wall section comprising a plurality of male connectors with a second end of a second wall section comprising a plurality of female connectors such that a first of the plurality of male connectors is partially mated with a second of the plurality of female connectors;   connecting a drawdown device to the first of the plurality of male connectors; and   pulling the first end of the first wall section and the second end of the second wall section together using the drawdown device;   wherein during the step of pulling, the plurality of male connectors are fully mated with the plurality of female connectors to connect the first wall section to the second wall section.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first of the plurality of male connectors comprises a tapered nose portion for bringing the first wall section into full alignment with the second wall section during the step of pulling. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the drawdown device comprises a bracket and a bolt and wherein the first of the plurality of male connectors comprises a threaded portion for receiving the bolt and wherein the bolt is screwed into the threaded portion during the step of pulling to cause the bracket to apply a force to an outer portion of the second wall section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step placing a retaining pin in a through hole of a second of the plurality of male connectors. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of male connectors comprise a plurality of spaced apart nubs, at least one of which has an affixing through hole. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of female connectors comprise a plurality of holes sized to receive the plurality of male connectors and wherein the step of aligning comprises aligning, at least partially, the plurality of female connectors with the plurality of spaced apart nubs. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the male connectors protrude radially outward from the first wall section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the male connectors are substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the male connectors are substantially conical in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the male connectors have a substantially rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the male connectors are shaped in the form of a pyramid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the male connectors have a substantially star shaped cross section. 
     
     
         13 . A method of connecting sections of a tank wall to each other, the method comprising:
 aligning, at least partially, a first end of a first wall section comprising a plurality of male connectors with a second end of a second wall section comprising a plurality of female connectors such that a first of the plurality of male connectors is partially mated with a second of the plurality of female connectors;   connecting a drawdown device to the first of the plurality of male connectors; and   pulling the first end of the first wall section and the second end of the second wall section together using the drawdown device;   wherein during the step of pulling, the plurality of male connectors are fully mated with the plurality of female connectors to connect the first wall section to the second wall section;   wherein the first wall section comprises a first end panel comprising the plurality of male connectors and a second end panel comprising a second plurality of female connectors, the plurality of male connectors extending radially outward from an outer surface of the first end panel, each of the plurality of male connectors configured to register with a corresponding female connector of the plurality of female connectors of the second wall section when the first end panel overlaps the second tank wall section.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the plurality of male connectors comprises a through hole extending from a first side through an opposite side for receiving a retaining pin to thereby form a connector to couple the first wall section to the second wall section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the plurality of male connectors has a tapered nose portion extending radially outward for slidingly engaging a corresponding female connector of the plurality of female connectors to thereby bring the plurality of male connectors into full alignment with the plurality of female connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the male connectors are substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the male connectors are substantially conical in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the male connectors have a substantially rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the male connectors are shaped in the form of a pyramid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the male connectors have a substantially star shaped cross section.