Uplifting Analysis of Base Plates in Cylindrical Tanks

Abstract

A method is presented for the analysis of the base plates in cylindrical liquid‐storage tanks that are uplifted under the overturning influence of the hydrodynamic wall pressures induced by earthquakes. Due consideration is given to the nonlinear effects associated with both membrane action and material yielding. The method is highly efficient and suitable for dynamic response analyses of unanchored and partially anchored tanks for which the solution of the plate problem must be obtained at numerous time steps. Both axisymmetric and asymmetric conditions of uplifting are examined. A comprehensive parametric study is carried out to elucidate the effects and relative importance of the various system parameters on the uplifting resistance. Cyclic loading patterns are included to highlight the nature of the hysteretic energy dissipation due to yielding.