Nonlinear behaviour of bottom plate in cylindrical liquid storage tanks for seismic applications

Abstract

The paper presents a simplified pseudostatic approach to model the nonlinear behaviour of the bottom plate in unanchored cylindrical liquid storage tanks for seismic applications. In this paper, the problem of axisymmetric uplift of the bottom plate is studied for tanks supported on both rigid and elastic Winkler foundations. In the analysis, the bottom plate is modelled by one-dimensional beam and two-dimensional plate models. By comparing the results, it is found that the one-dimensional beam model gives accurate results acceptable for all practical design purposes, in view of the many other uncertainties in the tank uplift problem. The analysis results also show that the support foundation flexibility may have significant effects on the uplift behaviour of the tanks. Based on the axisymmetric uplift results, the paper then presents a simple approach to model the seismic partial uplift problem of unanchored tanks by means of nonlinear springs. Modelling parameters for the nonlinear springs are generated for dynamic uplift response analysis. Sensitivities of the uplift behaviour and the nonlinear spring modelling parameters to the tank height-to-radius ratio and the soil stiffness are also studied. Key words: axisymmetric uplift, cylindrical tanks, earthquakes, pressure vessel, shell, soil effect.