Experimental and Numerical Investigation for Seismic Performance of a Large-Scale LNG Storage Tank Structure Model

Abstract

As special equipment for storing energy, the safety performance of liquified natural gas (LNG) storage tanks under earthquake action is extremely important. To study the dynamic characteristics of the large-scale LNG storage tank structure and the dynamic response under earthquake action, the shaking table test and numerical simulation analysis of the LNG storage tank structure model are carried out. The results of the shaking table test demonstrate that the natural vibration frequency of the tank model is significantly reduced after the isolation measures are taken. The acceleration response of the seismic storage tank increases approximately linearly along the direction of height, and the seismic isolation bearing has a significant seismic isolation effect on the acceleration of the storage tank. The numerical simulation results show that the seismic responses and their spectral characteristic curves of the numerical model and the shaking table test are the same, which verifies the feasibility and rationality of the numerical model. After seismic isolation measures are taken, the seismic responses of large-scale LNG storage tanks, such as base shear force, overturning bending moment and acceleration, are reduced to varying degrees, but the displacement of the storage tank increases to some extent. When carrying out the seismic isolation design of LNG storage tanks, it is necessary to focus on the displacement of the storage tank to prevent damage of the auxiliary pipeline led by excessive displacement.