Induced draft cooling tower with improved inner support structure

摘要

An induced draft cooling tower having an annular outer support structure for the dispersion section and the inner support structure for the ventilation section. The inner support structure is essentially constructed of precast reinforced concrete elements and comprises a first plurality of columns supporting a circumferential beam, a second plurality of columns arranged around a hexagonal central tower in a hexagonal network with beams extending between and supported in slotted capitals of the second plurality of beams. The diffusers which are precast reinforced concrete shells include a toroidal base element which bears on three beams supported on a column of the second plurality coaxial to the diffuser. Stacks of annular elements rise from the upper edges of the base elements. The lower edges of the base elements are polygonal and substantially meet the lower edges of adjacent base elements. Slabs cover openings between lower edge segments of base elements and in the peripheral area beyond the diffusers. The resulting inner support structure is in effect monolithic.