ASEISMIC DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR LIQUID STORAGE TANKS

Abstract

Petroleum products (commonly oil) storage tanks are built with thin shells in parts which comprises large liquid load thus tanks become massive due to product weigh and flexible in aspect of the supporting circular shell structure. It is common that such tanks are situated near coastal regions because of oil exports carried out by waterways & so that refineries are established near the sea regions for storing and processing petroleum products. These massive tanks are resting on the weak strata. These tanks are found vulnerable to the buckling of shells either due to strong ground motions or due to the ground failure. The present study focused on shell buckling parameters both global buckling and the local buckling successively. Further, to prevent such failures innovative design solutions are suggested, which can be applied after examining the complete feasibility. Literature survey has been carried out to know the basics of the tank system, analysis methods, prevailing codal provisions and the research gaps observed in this area. This literature documents comprise books, codes, fundamental papers, latest papers for current trends, documents of damages in the tanks in past earthquakes etc. During survey, it has been observed that a lot of research carried out in the tank analysis, still extensive work is needed to make the past and present work in line to get the long-term solution about tank damages can be achieved. In the initial stage, some opinions also taken from the design consultants regarding their dealings with the tank analysis and design, site limitations etc. for giving outline boundary to the work. Some of the literature has been referred in between during the investigation as and when required. Work carried out from the literature review is explained in nut shell in below paragraphs.