Reinforced concrete overhead tanks are water retaining structures that are placed at a height above the natural ground level. The major reason for placing the tanks at a height is to enable the water to flow under gravity to the point where they are needed. Since the tank is to be supported at a height, there is a need for a tank stand/support system, which is usually constructed of reinforce concrete and cast monolithically with the tank shell.
The design of reinforced concrete overhead tank involves the determination of the dimensions of the tank shell to hold the desired volume of water, selection of an adequate concrete section and steel reinforcements to satisfy ultimate and serviceability limit state requirements of the tank shells, and selection of adequate column and beam sizes with the proper reinforcements to serve as the support system (tank stand).
The tank shell
The beams
The columns
Other bracing systems (if any),
Other ancillary components like stairs and rails, and