A method of supporting a metal tank having a circular horizontal section which comprises providing the tank with a horizontal ring-like portion having a substantially upright surface, forming a metal substantially upright skirt having a top portion with an internal surface which matches the tank ring-like surface and which has an internal diameter at ambient temperature at matching locations slightly less than the diameter of the tank ring-like surface at ambient temperature, heating the skirt top portion, or cooling the tank ring-like surface, or both until the internal diameter of the skirt top portion is larger than the diameter of the tank ring-like surface, positioning the skirt top portion around the tank ring-like surface, bringing the skirt top portion or the tank ring-like surface or both to ambient temperature to thereby shrink-fit them together, and joining the skirt top portion to the tank by welds, bolts or rivets.A metal tank having a circular horizontal section, the tank having a horizontal ring-like portion having a substantially upright surface, and a metal substantially upright skirt having a top portion with an internal surface which matches the tank ring-like surface shrink-fitted around and in contact with the tank ring-like surface.