Experimental Studies on Earthquake Response Behavior of Cylindrical Tanks

Abstract

A series of dynamic tests for the seismic behavior of ground-supported liquid storage tanks are evaluated and compared with previous theoretical studies. Two model tanks were subjected to shaking table tests with particular attention to the influence of base fixity and geometric imperfections in the tank walls. Test results support numerical calculations which show that base fixity conditions strongly influence the seismic response of tanks. Although high radial accelerations are induced by the imperfections, they are not found to be significant factors in tank failure.