Earthquake Tank‐Wall Stability of Unanchored Tanks

Abstract

The observed performance of prototype unanchored cylindrical liquid storage tanks during four past major earthquakes as well as the performance of model cylindrical liquid storage tanks during simulated earthquake conditions is evaluated by correlations between observed tank‐wall damage and damage predictions. These damage predictions are obtained: (1) By using the current design procedures; (2) by an existing empirical tank‐wall earthquake stability coefficient approach; and (3) by a new proposed empirical design approach based also on a tank‐wall earthquake empirical coefficient. From this correlation it is concluded that the proposed approach is more competent in predicting the tank‐wall earthquake damage than the two existing approaches. In this way it can be argued that compliance with this approach may well minimize tank‐wall damage in future strong earth motions.