the plate and all of the remaining plates to the left of the first plate or in a counterclockwise direction around the tank foundation. Place the small end of the plate over the bolts (fig. 9-8, #3) with the right lap seam of the plate laid over the bolts (fig. 9-8, #1) in the left lap seam of the plate (fig. 9-7, #7).

Apply finger-tightened catch nuts to the bolts. Follow the same procedure as outlined above. Apply catch nuts to the bolts in the lap seam at intervals of approximately 18 inches.

Do not tighten the catch nuts beyond finger tightness. Each plate must move in the adjustment of the tank bottom to obtain the correct spacing for the installation of the last plate.

REMAINING INTERMEDIATE PLATES. - The remaining intermediate plates are installed following the same procedure as above.

LAST PLATE. - InstaIl the last plate by spacing the lap seams over the lap seams of the next-to-last plate (fig. 9-9, #1) and the first plate (fig. 9-9, #2). Place the small end over the bolts (fig. 9-8, #3). ‘Ibis is a vital point in the tank bottom; make sure it is secure against leakage.

INSTALLATION OF WEDGE GASKETS. - Apply a heavy coating of sealing compound to both faces of the two gaskets (fig. 9-9, #3), and install them over the bolts (fig. 9-9, #4). Use a generous amount of sealing compound at the overlap to seal The opening under the small end.

TIGHTENING TANK BOTTOM. - Work from the small end of the plates and remove all of the catch nuts. Install a rubber gasket, a steel recessed washer, and a nut on each of the bolts. This applies to all of the bolts in the tank bottom with the exception of those in the outer circumference (chime) of the tank bottom,

Figure 9-9. - Method of installing the wedge gaskets at the installation of the last bottom plate

Figure 9-10. - Applytng sealing compound to the bottom chimes of the staves.

which secures the side staves. Tighten all of the bolts in the tank bottom, starting at the small end of the plates.

SEALING SEAMS. - Sweep the bottom clean after tightening the bolts. With the bottom dry, apply a sealing compound to all of the bottom seams (fig. 9-l0).

Side Staves

This is a single ring tank Place all of the center support ladder components and the manhole dome on the bottom just before installing the last stave. This is to prevent them from having to be lifted over the top of the staves later. The top and the bottom flanged edges of the staves are called chimes, and the side edges are called vertical seams. The staves have a single row of bolt holes in each seam.

LAYOUT OF STAVES. - There are five special and nine plain staves in the ring. Place the staves with the opening and pipeline connections in the proper position, then lay out the remaining staves around the perimeter of the bottom. Place the staves with the chimes side down for convenience in preparing them for assembly. The staves are laid out so each straddles a radial seam of the bottom.

Staves have an offset at the top and the bottom. The top is determined by looking at the stave in a