Whats the difference between a riveted corrugated galvanized steel tank and a welded galvanized steel tank?
A. .Shop manufactured welded mill-galvanized steel tanks are typically “butt” welded and rely on a single weld bead for structural integrity. Welding is more economical than riveting but the process removes the mill galvanizing and produces hazardous gases. Certifying the structural quality and penetration of the weld is not economically feasible for this type of tank construction. Corrugated steel has nine (9) times the tensile bearing strength of flat steel and is superior in resistance to compressive loads. Corrugated steel is especially resistant to the buckling and “mushrooming” that can affect flat metal tanks during an earthquake. Corrugated tank seams are overlapped and hand-riveted with solid steel rivets forming a double thickness of steel that further enhances the lateral and vertical strength of the tank. This process requires more labor and special skills but it does not harm the original galvanized surfaces. In addition, water never comes in contact with a riveted seam. A
