jqeng (Structural)

(OP)

4 Apr 11 09:58

I have a concrete tank that needs a leak test done. The leak test will be done after its
already been backfilled and the tank is 21m by 21m and holds about 3000m3 of water.
Wall thickness ranges from 600mm at the bottom to 450mm at the top (7.1m tall). My
question is once the tank is filled up, the concrete will absorb some of the water. How
long should I wait before I start my actual measurement of change in water height. How
long should I give the concrete to absorb the bulk of what it will absorb?

bimr (Civil/Environmental)4 Apr 11 10:34

Here is a specification for the test:
A. Upon completion, the tank shall be tested to determine watertightness. The tank shall
be filled with potable water to the maximum level.
The test shall consist of measuring the liquid level over the next 24 hours to determine if
any change has occurred. If a change is observed and exceeds the maximum allowance,
the test shall be extended to a total of five days. If at the end of five days the average
daily change has not exceeded the maximum allowance, the test shall be considered
satisfactory.
B. The liquid volume loss for a period of 24 hours shall not exceed one-twentieth of one
percent of the tank capacity, 0.0005 x tank volume. If the liquid volume loss exceeds this
amount, it shall be considered excessive, and the tank shall be repaired and retested.
C. Damp spots will not be permitted at any location on the tank wall. Damp spots are
defined as spots where moisture can be picked up on a dry hand. All such areas shall be
repaired as necessary.
D. Damp spots or standing water on the footing may occur upon tank filling and are
permissible within the allowable volume loss. Measurable flow in this area is not
permissible and must be corrected.
Per AWWA, the allowable leakage rate is 0.1 percent of the water volume in 24 hour.
You can always specify higher requirements than the minimum standards.
This issue was previously discussed:
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=222702&page=15

jqeng (Structural)
(OP)

4 Apr 11 10:57
Thanks bimr,

Would you be able to provide me a link to this specification and also does the AWWA
allowable leaked rate of 0.1 include concrete absorption? Shouldn't concrete absorption
vary for different concrete mixes and other factors?

MiketheEngineer (Structural)4 Apr 11 13:23

What about evaporation??

bimr (Civil/Environmental)4 Apr 11 16:16

You will need to allow the tank to stabilize for three (3) days while the water is absorbed
into the concrete.
http://www.mwua.org/Presentations/MalenfantAPR07.pdf

You also have to allow for evaporation and rain.

http://www.cement.org/bookstore/profile.asp?itemid=LT186

waterpipe (Mechanical)6 Apr 11 05:40

@bimr: I am not sure if AWWA provides a standard or a guideline for concrete water tanks.
Would you please provide the standard number for the allowable leakage rate is 0.1
percent of the water volume in 24 hour?
@jqeng: Please note that there is maximum rate of a filling for a water tank that is being
filled for the first time. I have the uniform rate of not greater than 2 m in 24 h in back of
my head.
Getting to your questions, the stabilizing period depends on the maximum design crack
width and the time needed for the healing. I remember it was 7 days for a crack width of
0.1 mm according to BS. there is also a limit for the maximum drop in level during this 7day test based on the full tank depth. I suggest to take a look to the latest BS standard.
BTW, there is also a separate test for the roof.

jqeng (Structural)
(OP)

6 Apr 11 11:35

@bimr: The link you gave quoted the ACI 350.01-01 Clause 2.3.5. I have the ACI 350.1-06
and could not find the wording from this clause anywhere do you know what the new
clause in the 06 version is?
@waterpipe: thanks for your response, as a note Im new and I didnt think that my first
post worked so I reposted when I found this thread! Turns out they both worked.

bimr (Civil/Environmental)6 Apr 11 13:34

The ANSI/AWWA D110-04 (Wire- and Strand-Wound, Circular, Prestressed Concrete Water
Tanks) and the ANSI/AWWA D115-95 (CIRCULAR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE WATER
TANKS)have leakage rates specified. The net liquid loss for a period of 24 hr shall not
exceed 0.05 of 1 percent of the tank capacity.

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=c99713d8-e983-49dd-b8ed-2e

nackra (Civil/Environmental)6 Apr 11 19:48

Is the purpose of the tank for potable water storage?
I worked on a project where inadequate concrete consolidation resulted in significant
segregration (you could see through the walls after the forms were removed. The
contractor used epoxy grout repairs and tried testing with this method to check repairs.
Wave action was an issue to record surface level changes. We tried a stilling well but still
could not get a "steady" level.
We excavated a few areas and found leaks where water squirted out of pinhole leaks.
Additional repairs were required.
Depending on the purpose of the tank and future maintenance costs - you might consider
coating the tank.

waterpipe (Mechanical)8 Apr 11 10:25

Thank you bimr.
I was thinking of ordinary reinforced concrete water tanks (normally rectangular), which is
not by AWWA. But I see no reason to apply the acceptance of the leakage for a

prestressed concrete water tanks to the ordinary one.

bimr (Civil/Environmental)8 Apr 11 11:10

waterpipe; Consider that the prestressed tank walls are typically thinner than standard
cast-in-place concrete, that quality concrete construction should be impermeable, that
wall segments for the ANSI/AWWA D115-95 standard are also cast-in-place concrete, and
that the application is also for storing water. Yhere should be no reason not to use the
same AWWA leakage rate.
http://www.durastortank.com/tabid/1583/Default.aspx

waterpipe (Mechanical)8 Apr 11 11:31

Thanks bimr.

Sorry but I meant:

" I see no reason NOT to apply the acceptance of the leakage for a prestressed concrete
water tanks to the ordinary one."
but I've missed the NOT, for the same reason I've missed "covered" before "by AWWA" in
my respond! So I fully agree with you on applicability of the leakage rate.
Well, this could be the Friday afternoon "allergy", which means I have to leave the office
for a happy hour! I do it in 10 minutes.
Have a nice weekend.

Will007 (Civil/Environmental)
(OP)

29 Jul 08 11:14
Hi,

Does anyone know what the allowable leakage is for a concrete tank. Some say its
0.5%. Is this correct?
We just put a 150k gallon up and is ready for commision, but we need to verify that the
leak test passed.
Please advise.
Thanks

Ussuri (Civil/Environmental)29 Jul 08 11:28

The text below is copied from the British Standard for water retaining tanks. Probably not
applicable for you but might give you some idea.

Quote (BS 8007 clause 9.2):

When first filled, the liquid level should be maintained by the addition of further liquid for a
stabilizing period while absorption and autogenous healing take place. The stabilizing period may be
7 days for a maximum design crack width of 0.1 mm or 21 days for 0.2 mm or greater. After the
stabilizing period the level of the liquid surface should be recorded at 24 h intervals for a test period
of 7 days. During this 7-day test period the total permissible drop in level, after allowing for
evaporation and rainfall, should not exceed 1/500th of the average water depth of the full tank, 10
mm or another specified amount.

JedClampett (Structural)29 Jul 08 13:20

We use .1% per day.

bimr (Civil/Environmental)29 Jul 08 16:54

A. Upon completion, the tank shall be tested to determine watertightness. The tank shall
be filled with potable water to the maximum level.
The test shall consist of measuring the liquid level over the next 24 hours to determine if
any change has occurred. If a change is observed and exceeds the maximum allowance,
the test shall be extended to a total of five days. If at the end of five days the average
daily change has not exceeded the maximum allowance, the test shall be considered
satisfactory.
B. The liquid volume loss for a period of 24 hours shall not exceed one-twentieth of one
percent of the tank capacity, 0.0005 x tank volume. If the liquid volume
loss exceeds this amount, it shall be considered excessive, and the tank shall be repaired
and retested.
C. Damp spots will not be permitted at any location on the tank wall. Damp spots are
defined as spots where moisture can be picked up on a dry hand. All such areas shall be
repaired as necessary.
D. Damp spots or standing water on the footing may occur upon tank filling and are
permissible within the allowable volume loss. Measurable flow in this area is not
permissible and must be corrected.

RWF7437 (Civil/Environmental)29 Jul 08 17:01

"10 mm or another specified amount."
Perfect !

Ussuri (Civil/Environmental)31 Jul 08 04:32

RWF7437, yeah, that is a good one. I believe the purpose of the statement is to allow you
to impose a more restrictive limit if you so desire.

JStephen (Mechanical)1 Aug 08 16:43

If it's built to an AWWA standard, that standard should specify allowable leakage.

cvg (Civil/Environmental)6 Aug 08 19:16

A properly constructed concrete tank should exhibit essentially no leakage. If any leaks
are observed on the structure or on the ground, they should be investigated and
repaired. Go with the smallest allowable amount you can measure. This will depend a bit
on the geometry of your tank and your measuring equipment. BIMR's spec is probably
about the smallest amount you can easily measure. However, now that the tank is
completely constructed is a bit late to tell the contractor what the allowable leakage will
be