Kentucky Underground Storage Tank (UST) Operator Certification Practice Test

The method of mid anchoring that prevents tank flotation involves pouring concrete over the top third of the tank. This technique serves to provide additional weight and stability, which helps to keep the tank securely in place, especially during flood conditions or other circumstances where buoyancy may be a concern.

When tanks are submerged in water, they can experience flotation forces that may cause them to rise or become displaced. By applying a significant mass of concrete over a portion of the tank, it counteracts these forces effectively. The concrete adds enough weight to mitigate the risk of floating, ensuring that the tank remains anchored to the ground during adverse conditions.

In contrast, options such as using ropes to secure the tank, installing anchors in the ground, or filling the tank with water could potentially provide some level of stabilization or support, but they do not specifically address the issue of flotation in the same effective manner as the application of concrete does. These methods may also be less reliable under extreme conditions compared to the durable and substantial solution that concrete provides.