Rocking Mechanics of Flat-Bottom Cylindrical Shell Model Tanks Subjected to Harmonic Excitation

Abstract

The rocking motion of the tanks is complex and not fully understood. Using model tanks that possess concentric rigid-doughnut-shaped bottom plates, this paper tries to clarify its fundamental mechanics through the analog of rocking motion of rigid bodies. Introducing an effective mass for the internal liquid for rocking motion enables the development of a dynamical system including the rocking-bulging interaction motion and the effective mass of liquid for the interaction motion. Since the base shear and uplift displacement observed during shaking tests match well with computed values, the proposed procedure can explain the mechanics of the rocking motion of the model tanks used herein.