Bags of Shotcrete
cu. yd. of 5,000-psi shotcrete
Tank Restored
CROM Shotcrete Expertise Extends Life of Historic 51-million-gallon Reservoir
Metro Water Services in Nashville, Tennessee, determined that their historic 51-million-gallon reservoir, built in 1889, had reached its useable life.
Faced with the decision to either demolish the existing structure and build a new tank in its place or to rehabilitate the structure to extend its life, Metro Water Services determined the historic 8th Avenue Reservoir played a crucial role in the community. The tank was not only a landmark fixture but was still needed to supply drinking water to a significant component of the Nashville population. CROM was selected to construct a new tank on the interior of the existing reservoir wall and leave the exterior reservoir wall in place to retain its architectural features.
To allow access to the reservoir for construction and maintenance, a tunnel was constructed through the base of the tank wall. As the shotcrete specialty contractor, CROM installed reinforcing steel and applied shotcrete to the tunnel walls and overhead. We used silica fume-enhanced fiber-reinforced mortar as well as a 5,000-psi traditional wet-mix shotcrete.
After the tunnel was excavated:
- all surfaces were abrasive blasted
- rock anchors were installed
- reinforcing steel was installed
- shotcrete was applied
- strips of foam rubber material were used as a guide to ensure proper coverage over the reinforcing steel
- a soft broom finish was provided for the final exposure condition of the shotcrete.
The excavation and rock anchor installations were performed by outside specialty contractors.
In the end, CROM placed 1,400 bags of shotcrete and 36 cu. yd. of 5,000-psi shotcrete, fully restoring the 8th Avenue Reservoir for generations to come.
