Earl and the Aboveground Storage Tank Forum for fuel tanks, plastic tanks, fuel oil storage tanksWelcome to the aboveground storage tank forum, a bulletin board dedicated to tanks, fuel tanks, plastic tanks, fuel storage tanks, and above ground storage tanks (AST) API650, API653 & UL142 aboveground storage tanks (AST) and chemical plastic tanks. Remember the forum is made up of volunteers from experts to beginners. Unfortunately, we cannot allow free commercialism that promotes products, services, or sites.
 
Sponsored by:

Contact us about advertising at info@p-e-markeitng.com
Share |
Earl

    • Partially Buried Welded Steel Tank - Monday, October 24, 2005 - PEStructural
      I know this is an Aboveground Storage Tank forum, but I thought I'd ask. I was wondering how I go about designing a partially buried welded steel tank. I can't find any reference in API 650 regarding this. I can perform a finite element analysis to determine the stresses, but what allowable do I use? Anyone know of any references? I've designed 100's of Aboveground Storage Tanks, but partially buried is a first for me. Thanks in advance.



      Post a Reply...    Add Pictures


      • Re: Partially Buried Welded Steel Tank - Saturday, October 29, 2005 - Stephen H
        In API-650 and AWWA D100, the wind buckling equations are based on external pressure. Read those sections, look up the references listed there. ASME B&PV Code also has design for external pressure. The buckling equations are also shown in various forms in Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain. When used for wind loading, the FS is not very high- adjust as required for sustained loading. Expect to have a heavy shell AND stiffeners. Consider an external cathodic system for this application.



        Post a Reply...    Add Pictures


      • Re: Partially Buried Welded Steel Tank - Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - MJCronin
        PE.........You have not told us about any of the details of the installation.(tank size, contents pressure, tank axis).... Is the tank axis vertical or horizontal......Is this to be an API-650 "flat bottomed" style tank or a horizontal tank with dished ends ????.......I cannot think of a reason why a horizontal axis tank designed for underground service would not be acceptable in "partially burried service".......I also cannot think of a reason why a concrete foundation with a sump pump would not be acceptable for a "partially underground" ( read vaulted) vertical axis tank........Why must the tank be only partly underground ?????.........Is there an MBA somehow involved in the decision making process ????...???!!!..???



        Post a Reply...    Add Pictures


        • Re: Partially Buried Welded Steel Tank - Tuesday, October 25, 2005 -
          The tank is a traditional flat bottom vertical axis tank. I am not in the decision making process for the tanks themselves, so I don't know why they aren't using concrete below grade. There is no surcharge on the roof. The tank is approximately 130' diameter x 36' tall with 18' buried.



          Post a Reply...    Add Pictures


      • Re: Partially Buried Welded Steel Tank - Monday, October 24, 2005 - BKA
        I don't know of any reference materials. An FEA seems like overkill to me, however. By "partially buried" I am assuming that you will not have any overburden on the roof. I would look at the lateral earth pressure on the tank shell the same way as external pressure. You will most likely end-up having to stiffen the shell to avoid making it extremely thick. I would recommend a double-wall configuration on a shared annular ring with interstitial inspection roof hatches.



        Post a Reply...    Add Pictures

Sponsors
    Tutorial on Pressure Vessel Safety Awareness        AIS Forensic Testing Laboratory Steel Making Tutorial Industrial Training School | Little Smokey's Bookstore at AIS Engineering Books | ASR Search Engine | Steam and Power Forum
Want to Advertise on the AST Forum
Confidentiality, Disclaimer & Policy
Copyright 2001-2012
All Rights Reserved AST-FORUM.COM; June 14, 2012
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional