1.

0 Rectangular Storage tanks sizing Calculationhod Me

1.1 Objectives

- To calculate the thickness of tank plates

- To determine the size of stiffening frame for tank
- To determine dry and test weights
- To determine hydrostatic pressure at tank bottom
-
-

1.2 Assumptions: Tanks are;

- Rectangular in shape
- For non-pressurized storage
- is subject to hydrostatic head only (uniformly increasing load from top to bottom
- No external pressure
- Design temperature:- from room temperature up to 200oF (94oC)

1.3 References

1. UL-142, Steel Aboveground Tanks for flammable and combustible liquids,

Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
2 Eugene F. Megyesy, Pressure Vessels Handbook, Pressure Vessels
Publishing Inc.
3 Corus Construction and IndustrialStructural Sections to BS 4: Part 1:1993
& BS EN 10056:1999
4 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II subpart D
5 Trauvay and Cauvin (2001), Piping Equipment
6 Young, W. C. & Budynas, R. G. (2002) Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain
7th ed., McGraw-Hill. 2002
7 ASME B31.10M - 2000: Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe
8 ASME B.16.5 - 2009: Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

1.4 Notes

1 A total of 10 Stiffeners were used based on a spacing of 1.05 m on the long

sides (3 stiffeners on each longer side; and 2 stiffeners on each shorter side)
2 Sump Pump weight was not included in calculations
3 Weights are calculated weights. Final weights to be advised by vendor
Weight calulation does not include weir.

Page 1 of 20
Page 2 of 20
2.0 Definition of Terms

-α Dimensionless numerical factor See Appendix 1)

-β Dimensionless numerical factor See Appendix 1)

-ϒ Density of the content, lb/in3 (kg/m3)

-Ϭ Stress, psi (Mpa)

- Ϭmax Maximum Stress, psi (Mpa)

-a Width of tank, in (m)

-A Cross-sectional area, in2 (m2)

-b Length of tank, in (m)

-d Deflection, in (mm)

- dmax Maximum deflection, in (mm)

-D Depth, in (m)

-E Modulus of elasticity, psi (Mpa)

-h Height of tank, in (m)

-I Moment of inertia, in4 (m4)

- Ireq Required Moment of inertia, in4 (m4)

-l Length, in (m)

-M Bending moment, lb-IN (N-m)

- Mmax Maximum Bending moment, lb-IN (N-m)

-P Pressure, psi (Kpa)

- Rb Bottom edge reaction, lb/IN (N/m)

Rh Intermediate horizontal reaction stiffener reaction, lb/IN (N/m)

Rt Top edge reaction, lb/IN (N/m)

S Allowable stress, psi (Mpa)

Sy Minimum yield strength, psi (Mpa

t Plate thickness, in (mm)

ta Actual plate thickness to be used, in (mm)

tr Required plate thickness, in (mm)

X Length of rectangular plate, in (mm)

Page 3 of 20
Y Width of rectangular plate, in (mm)

Z Section modulus, in3 (m3)

Zreq Required section modulus, in3 (m3)

Page 4 of 20
Equipment Tag No. ABH 8000 Project No. 1216 No. of equipments 1

3.0 Design Conditions and Requirement:-

Content NAOH Solution

Density of content 93.35 lb/ft3 0.054022 lb/in3
Operating capacity 460 ft3 13.03 m3
Total Volume 460 ft3 13.03 m3
Internal pressure Atmospheric
External pressure Nill
Design temperature 150 o
F 65.56 o
C
Operating temperature 90 o
F 32.22 o
C
Empty weight 7700 lbs 3492.658 kg
Corrosion Allowance 0.12 in 3.048 mm

3.1 Material Specification:-

Plates Austentic Stainless Steel

ASTM A-240-Type 316L
Allowable stress 18840 psi 129.897 Mpa

Stiffeners Structural steel

ASTM A-36 or Equivalent
Allowable stress 18000 psi 124.106 Mpa
Hint: the maximum allowable stress is the lower of one-quarter of the ultimate tensile strength or five-
eight of the minimum specified yield strength of the material. Stresses as recommended by the ASME
code for pressure vessels may be increase when used in the designing tanks under hydrostatic
pressure only. For structural members, allowable tresses per CSA S16 should be used.

3.2 Tank Dimensions:-

h Height of tank 102 in 2.59 m

a Width of tank 60 in 1.52 m
b Length of tank 132 in 3.35 m

3.3 Design Calculation:-

3.3.1 Hydrostatic Pressure at Tank Bottom

P = hϒ
= 102 x 0.054022
= 5.51 psi = 0.038 Mpa

3.3.2 Plate thickness calculation

Minimum required wall thickness (ta) P

ta  b
first get the value of β S
b 132
=
h 102
= 1.2941176
β Dimensionless numerical factor = 0.219

P
ta  b
S
1.05643 in = 26.83 mm
the thickness is more than 10mm therefore not economical. Consider various plate thickness with stiffeners

Page 5 of 20
 3.3.3 Selection of plate thickness per stiffener space

2
l  t
P
0.125 0.1875 0.25 0.3125 0.375 in
t
3.18 4.76 6.35 7.94 9.53 mm
262.55 393.83 525.10 656.38 787.65 mm where 'l' is the stiffener spacing
l
10.34 15.50 20.67 25.84 31.01 in

Since the height of tank exceed 7ft., horizontal stiffeners shall be considered

3.3.3 Design of tank wall

a) Lower panel

Try using 0.1875" (5mm) thick plate with 8 panels spaced at 16.5" (400mm) located at 5ft from top

Height of tank = 8.5 ft = 2590.80 mm

Number of horizontal stiffener required based on tank height = 1
location of horizontal stiffener from top = 5 ft = 60.00 in = 1524.00 in
location of horizontal stiffener from bottom = 3.5 ft = 42.00 in = 1066.80 in
Vertical stiffener spacing = 16.5 inch = 419.10 in
Selected thickness = 0.1875 inch = 4.76 in
The hydrostatic pressure at horizontal intermediate stiffener
= Hydrostatic pressure at bottom of tank * horizontal stiffener location height
Tank total height
= 3.24 psi
P1 = 3.24 psi = 0.022 Mpa
P2 = 2.27 psi = 0.016 Mpa
By principle of superposition, each panel can be considered subject to a uniform load and a triangular load

P1 = 3.24 psi P2= 2.27 psi

first get the value of β

h 42
=
16.5
b
= 2.54545

β1 = 0.500 (from Graph #9)

β2 = 0.270 (from Graph #4)

Ϭmax = Maximum bending stress

2
  b
= 
2
  1 P1    2 P2  
2
1 P1 b + 2 P2b =  
t 2 t2 t 

16.5 2
= [ ] [ 0.500 x 3.24 + 0.270 x 2.27 ]
0.1875
= 17294.438 psi = 119.25 Mpa

Page 6 of 20
 Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

Check with average load

Pav = 1/2 ( P + P1 )
= '1/2 ( 5.51 + 3.24 )
= 4.376 psi = 0.03 Mpa

Ϭmax = Maximum bending stress

β Pav b2
=
t2

0.500 x 4.3757819 x 16.5 x 16.5

= { }
0.1875 x 0.1875

= 16943.03 psi = 116.82 Mpa

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

Maximum deflection of panel

α = 0.029 ( from graph #9)

α Pav b4
dmax =
E t3

0.029 x 4.3757819 x 74120.06

=
29 x 106 x 0.0065917969

= 0.049 in = 1.25 mm

dmax < ta/2, therefore the condition is satisfied

b) Upper panel

For: 2
l  t
P
0.125 0.1875 0.25 0.3125 0.375 in
t
3.18 4.76 6.35 7.94 9.53 mm
342.32 513.49 684.65 855.81 1026.97 mm where 'l' is the stiffener spacing
l
13.48 20.22 26.95 33.69 40.43 in

Try using 0.1875" (5mm) thick plate with 6 panels spaced at 22" (600mm) located at 3.24ft (988) from bottom
Height of upper panel = 5 ft = 60 inch
Space between pannels = 22 inch = 558.8 mm
Pressure at upper panel = 3.24 psi = 0.02 Mpa
Thickness selected = 0.1875 inch = 4.76 mm

h 60
=
b 22

= 2.73

β = 0.275 ( from Graph #4 )

Page 7 of 20
 α = 0.0177 ( from Graph #4 )

Ϭmax = Maximum bending stress

β P b2
=
t2
0.275 x 3.24 x 484
={ }
0.03515625

= 12271.49627 psi = 84.61 Mpa

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

dmax = maximum deflection

α P b4
dmax =
E t3

0.0177 x 3.24 x 234256

=
29.0 x 106 x 0.0065917969

= 0.070 in = 1.79 mm

dmax < ta/2, therefore the condition is satisfied

3.3.4 Design of vertical stiffener

a) Lower panel

Try using 3/8" x 4" bar i.e 10mm x 100mm bar

By principle of superposition, each stiffener can be considered subject to a uniform laod and a triangular load.

w1 w2

w1 = 16.5 x 3.24

= 53.48 lb/in = 0.37 Mpa

w2 = 16.5 x 2.27

= 37.44 lb/in = 0.26 Mpa

Mmax = maximum bending moment

w1 h2
={ + 0.0641 x w2 x h2}
8

53.48 x 1764
{ + 0.0641 x 37.44 x 1764 }
8

Page 8 of 20
 = 16025.85 lb/in = 110.50 Mpa

Z = section modulus of the stiffener selected

= t b2
6
t = thickness of bar 0.375 inch
b = width of bar 4 inch
= 1.000 in = 25.40 mm

Ϭmax = Maximum bending stress

Mmax
Z
16025.85
=
1.00

= 16025.85 psi = 110.50 Mpa

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

b) Upper panel

Try using 3/8" x 4" bar i.e 10mm x 100mm bar

w = 22 x 3.24
= 71.31 lb/in = 1273.58 Kg/m

Mmax = maximum bending moment

= 0.064 wh2
= 0.064 x 71.31 x 3600
= 16429.61 lb/in = 293432.77 Kg/m

Ϭmax = Maximum bending stress

Mmax
=
Z
16429.61
=
1.00

= 16429.61 lb/in = 293432.77 Kg/m

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

3.3.5 Design of intermediate horizontal stiffener

Ph = intermediate horizontal stiffener reaction

= 0.3316 P h
= 0.3316 x 5.51 x 102
= 186.37 lb/in = 3328.64 Kg/m

F = axial force on length of stiffener

= Ph * ls * 0.5
= 186.37 x 60 x 0.5
= 5591.22 lb = 2538.41 Kg

Try using wide flange beam 8 x 17 inch ASTM A36 i.e 203.2 x 431.8 mm

Page 9 of 20
 Mh = bending moment at intermediate horizontal stiffener
Rh b3 + a3
= x
12 b + a

186.37 2E+06 + 216000

= x
12 132 + 60

= 203520.47 lb/in = 3634875.52 Kg/m

Ϭb = bending stress
M
=
Z
Section modulus of wide flange beam 8 x 17 = 14.10 in = 358.14 mm
Area of the wide beam = 5.01 in2
= 3232.3 mm2
Ϭb 203520.47
=
14.10

= 14434.08 psi = 99.52 Mpa

Ϭ = axial stress
F
=
A

5591.22
=
5.01

= 1116.01 psi = 7.69 Mpa

Sy = minimum yield stress

= 36000.00 psi = 248.22 Mpa

According to CSA S16 standard - steel structure for building

St = allowable stress in tension

= 0.60 Sy
= 0.6 x 36000.00 psi
= 21600.00 psi = 148.93 Mpa

Sbt = allowable bending stress in tension

= 0.66 Sy
= 0.66 x 36000.00 psi
= 23760.00 psi = 163.83 Mpa

Sbc = allowable bending stress in compression

0.28 Sbt
= 1.15 Sbt { 1 - } equation 1 if Sbt > S1>2/3 Sbt
S1
or
= S1 equation 2 if S1< 2/3 Sbt
where

S1 = [ S22 + S32 ]0.5

12 x 106
S2 =

Page 10 of 20
 S2 =
I D/Af

149 x 106
S3 =
(I/rt)2

Af = area of compression flange

= 1.617 in2 = 1043.22 mm2
I = unsupported length of compression flange
= 132.00 in = 3352.80 mm
D = depth of section
= 8.00 in = 203.20 mm
rt = radius of gyration about its axis of symetry of a tee section comprising the
compression flange and 1/16 of the web
= 1.40 in = 35.56 mm

therefore, we have
1.2E+07 x 1.617
S2 =
132.00 x 8.00

S2 = 18375.00 psi = 126.70 Mpa

1.49E+08 x 1.96
S3 =
17424.00

S3 = 16760.79 psi = 115.57 Mpa

S1 = [ 337640625.00 + 280924071.88 ]0.5

= 24870.96 psi = 171.49 Mpa

S1 > 2/3 Sbt therefore, Sbc shall be derived from equation 1

0.28 Sbt
Sbc = 1.15 Sbt { 1 - }
S1
0.28 x 23760.00
= 1.15 x 23760.00 { 1 - }
24870.96
= 20015.03 psi = 138.00 Mpa

For combined axial ans bending stress

σ σb 1116.01 14434.08
+ = +
St Sbc 21600.00 20015.03

= 0.77
calculated combined axial and bending strees < 1, therefore condition is SATISFIED

3.3.6 Design of Bottom horizontal stiffener

Rb = bottom reaction
= 0.1312 P h
= 0.1312 x 5.51 x 102
= 73.74 lb/in 1317.00 Kg/m

F = axial force on the length side of stiffener

= 73.74 x 60 x 0.5
= 2212.21 lb 1004.34 Kg

Page 11 of 20
Try using channel 8 in x 11.50 in ASTM A36

Rh b3 + a3
Mb = x
12 b + a

73.74 2299968 + 216000

= x
12 132 + 60

= 80524.38 lb-in = 9099.26 N-m

Z = Section modulus of the channel

= 8.14 in3 = 133390.70 mm3
A = Area of the channel
= 3.38 in2 = 2180.64 mm2

Ϭb = Bending stress
M
=
Z
80524.38
=
8.14
= 9892.43 psi = 68.21 Mpa

Ϭ = axial stress
F
=
A
2212.21
=
3.38
= 654.50 psi = 4.51 Mpa

Sy = minimum yield stress of material

= 36000.00 psi 248.22 Mpa

St = allowable stress in tension

= 0.60 Sy
= 0.6 x 36000.00 psi
= 21600.00 psi = 148.93 Mpa

Sbt = allowable bending stress in tension

= 0.66 Sy
= 0.66 x 36000.00 psi
= 23760.00 psi = 163.83 Mpa

Af = area of compression flange

= 0.882 in2 = 569.03 mm2
I = unsupported length of compression flange
= 132.00 in = 3352.80 mm
D = depth of section
= 8.00 in = 203.20 mm
rt = radius of gyration about its axis of symetry of a tee section comprising the
compression flange and 1/16 of the web
= 0.63 in = 15.88 mm

12 x 106
S2 =
I D/Af

12000000 x 0.882
=

Page 12 of 20
 =
132.00 x 8.00
= 10022.73 psi = 69.11 Mpa

149 x 106
S3 =
(I/rt)2

149000000 x 0.390625
=
17424.00
= 3340.40 psi = 23.03 Mpa

S1 = [ S2
2
+ S32 ]0.5
= [ 100455061.98 + 11158270.40 ]0.5

= 10564.72 psi = 72.84 Mpa

S1< 2/3 Sbt therefore, Sbc shall be derived from equation 2

Sbc = S1
= 10564.72 psi = 72.84 Mpa

For combined axial ans bending stress

σ σb 654.50 9892.43
+ = +
St Sbc 21600.00 10564.72

= 0.97
calculated combined axial and bending strees < 1, therefore condition is SATISFIED

3.3.7 Design of Top Edge stiffener

The top edge stiffener in a closed tank is not subject to bending. The sidewall reaction re taken up by the
roof plate. A steel angle 4 x 4 x 3/8 is suggested for the top edge stiffener.

3.3.8 Design of Tank Bottom Plate

Try using 3/8" x 3" bar as stiffener along centre of the length side for a 0.25 ( 6.35 mm )
tk base plate with a stiffener spacing of 24.00 in i.e 609.60 mm
h 30
=
b 24
= 1.25
β = 0.395 (from Graph #9)

σmax = maximum bending stress

β P b2
=
t2
0.395 x 5.51 x 576.00
=
0.0625
= 20059.05 psi = 138.31 Mpa

Ϭmax > S, Therefore the condition is not satisfied

This theoretical bending stress seems to be too high. However, due to the large support of the
6 x 15.5 wide flange beam, an effective stiffener spacing of 22 in is acceptable.
h 30
=
b 22
= 1.36
β = 0.42 (from Graph #9)
α = 0.021 (from Graph #9)

Page 13 of 20
 σmax = maximum bending stress
β P b2
=
t2
0.42 x 5.51 x 484.00
=
0.0625
= 17921.96 psi = 123.57 Mpa

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

dmax = maximum deflection

α P b4
=
E t3
0.021 x 5.51 x 234256
=
29000000 x 0.015625
= 0.06 in = 1.52 mm
dmax < ta/2, therefore the condition is satisfied

size of stiffener rib

W = Unit load
= length of stiffener x pressure
= 30 x 5.51
= 165.31 lb/in

Mmax = maximum bending moment

WI
=
12 I = 24.00 in = 609.60 mm
165.31 x 576.00
=
12
= 7934.75 lb-in

Z = Section modulus
t b2
=
6
t = 0.375 in = 9.53 mm
b = 3
Z = 0.375 x 9
6
= 0.56 in3 = 9217.69 mm3

σmax =
maximum bending stress
M
=
Z
7935
=
0.56
= 14106.22 psi = 97.26 Mpa
Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

3.3.9 Design of Tank Roof Plate

P1 = Live load roof plate thickness = 0.1875 in

= 25.00 psf
= 0.174 psi = 0.0012 Mpa

Pd = Dead load
= 0.053 psi for 3/16 in plate = 0.0004 Mpa

P = Total load

Page 14 of 20
 = 0.174 + 0.053
= 0.227 psi say using P = 0.25 psi

2
l  t
P
2 x 18840
= 0.1875 x [ ]0.5
0.227 psi
= 76.39 in = 1940.34 mm

h 132
=
b 60
= 2.2

β = 0.5 (from Graph #9)

α = 0.0282 (from Graph #9)

σmax = maximum bending stress

β P b2
=
t2

0.5 x 0.25 x 3600

=
0.03515625
= 12800.00 psi = 88.26 Mpa

Ϭmax < S, Therefore the Condition is satisfied

dmax = maximum deflection

α P b4
=
E t3
0.0282 x 0.25 psi x 12960000
=
29 x 10 6
x 0.006591796875
= 0.478 in = 12.14 mm

dmax > ta/2, therefore the condition is not satisfied

However, the roof plate may be considered to carry part of the load in direct tension (diaphragn tension).
The top frame which must take up this tension is held in place by the fluid hydrostatic pressure. Therefore
thin plate with large deflection analysis may be applicable in this case if not a flat beam of 6mm thickness
can be located at centre of height to reduce this deflection.

dmax = maximum deflection

α P b4
=
E t3
0.0282 x 0.25 psi x 810000
=
29 x 106 x 0.006591796875
= 0.030 in = 0.76 mm

dmax < ta/2, therefore the condition is satisfied

Page 15 of 20
Page 16 of 20
Summary of Results

Tank
-- material 0

Thickness
-- of plates
Sides = 0 mm
Bottom = 0 mm
Top = 0 mm

Number
-- of vertical stiffeners = 10

Stiffener
-- configuration Equal leg (L section)
Stiffener Cross-section Dimensions
Vertical = 150mm x 150mm x 15mm
Top edge = 200mm x 200mm x 16mm

Dry
-- weight of tank = 0 kg

Operating
-- weight of tank = mm kg

Weight
-- of tank filled with water = 0 kg

Page 17 of 20
Page 18 of 20
APPENDIX

Values for factors used

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H/L or
Ratio H/l 0.25 0.286 0.333 0.4 0.5 0.667 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Constant β 0.024 0.031 0.041 0.056 0.08 0.116 0.16 0.26 0.34 0.38 0.43 0.47 0.49

Table 1: Values of β
Table from Ref. 3

1 2 3 4 5 6
Ratio a/b 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 ∞
Constant α -0.238 -0.078 0.011 0.053 0.068 0.067 0.067

Table 2: Values of β
Table from Ref. 8

Interpolation for β Interpolation for α

Col. No. H/L or H/l β Col. No. H/L or H/l β

7 1 0.16 #N/A #N/A #N/A
8 1.5 0.26 #N/A #N/A #N/A
1.2941 0.219 0 #N/A

Page 19 of 20
Page 20 of 20