Method and apparatus for constructing a concrete tower

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for constructing a concrete lower. In one embodiment, a tower construction apparatus includes an alignment jig and a pre-cast concrete element located on the alignment jig.

1 . A tower construction apparatus comprising:
 an alignment jig; and   a pre-cast concrete clement located on the alignment jig.   
     
     
         2 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the alignment jig includes a plurality of pegs each projecting upward from a top surface of the alignment jig, the pre-cast concrete element includes a plurality of openings, and the pre-cast concrete element is located on the alignment jig such that each of the plurality of pegs extends into one of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second pre-cast concrete element located on the alignment jig.   
     
     
         4 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein a first end of the pre-cast concrete element is adjacent a first end of the second pre-cast concrete element, and a second end of the pre-cast concrete element is adjacent a second end of the second pre-cast concrete element. 
     
     
         5 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a first rebar extends from the first end of the pre-cast concrete element and a second rebar extends front the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element. 
     
     
         6 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a caulked joint located between the first end of the pre-cast concrete element and the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element along one side of the first rebar and the second rebar;   a plate extending between the first end of the pre-cast concrete element and the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element along an opposite side of the first rebar and the second rebar; and   a grout joint surrounding the first rebar and the second rebar and extending between the caulked joint and the plate.   
     
     
         7 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a waterproof adhesive located between the second end of the pre-cast concrete element and the second end of the second pre-cast concrete element.   
     
     
         8 . The tower construction apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 third and fourth pre-cast concrete elements located on the pre-cast concrete element and the second pre-cast concrete element; and   rods extending vertically to connect the third and fourth pre-cast concrete elements to the pre-cast concrete element and the second pre-cast concrete element.   
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 providing a foundation;   providing an alignment jig;   assembling a first and a second pre-cast concrete element together on the alignment jig to create a tower section; and   transferring the tower section onto the foundation.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the alignment jig includes a plurality of pegs each projecting upward from a top surface of the alignment jig and each of the first and second pre-cast concrete elements include a plurality of openings, and the method further comprises:
 placing the first pre-cast concrete element on the alignment jig such that at least one of the plurality of pegs extends into at least one of the plurality of openings in the first pre-cast concrete element; and   placing the second pre-cast concrete element on the alignment jig such that at least one of the plurality of pegs extends into at least one of the plurality of openings in the second pre-cast concrete element.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 placing the first and second pre-cast concrete elements on the alignment jig such that a first end of the first pre-cast concrete element is adjacent a first end of the second pre-cast concrete element, and a second end of the first pre-cast concrete element is adjacent a second end of the second pre-cast concrete element.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a first rebar extends from the first end of the. first pre-cast concrete element and a second rebar extends from the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing a caulked joint between the first end of the first pre-cast concrete element and the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element along one side of the first rebar and the second rebar;   providing a plate extending between the first end of the first pre-cast concrete element and the first end of the second pre-cast concrete element along an opposite side of the first rebar and the second rebar; and   providing a grout joint surrounding the first rebar and the second rebar and extending between the caulked joint and the plate.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a waterproof adhesive located between the second end of the first pre-cast concrete element and the second end of the second pre-cast concrete element.