ALLOWABLE EXTERNAL LOADS ON TANK SHELL OPENINGS

{API 650 APP.P}

This is a program developed to analyze externally loaded tank shell openings

in accordance with API 650 9th Ed. App. P. The procedures outlined in Appendix P represent
accepted industry practice for evaluating externally loaded tank shell openings.

Design Conditions:

The procedures outlined in Appendix P are valid for standard API 650 shell nozzles having a
minimum elevation from the tank bottom. The following conditions should be met when determining
the validity of Appendix P and this analysis program:
1.0 <= L / 2a <= 2.0
0.0025 <= a / R <= 0.04
300 <= R / t <= 2400

The unrestrained radial shell deflection calculated by this program is based on the product head pressure,
internal design gas pressure, and thermal expansion. The bottom is assumed to thermally expand radially at the
same rate as the shell. The unrestrained shell rotation calculated is based on the product head pressure
and internal design gas pressure.

Results:

The results from this program are based on the curves shown in API 650 App. P. For nozzle
configurations that are not directly represented by one of the figures in Appendix P, the program
will extrapolate and interpolate the appropriate values from the Appendix P figures provided the
nozzle-tank configuration meets the limitation listed above.
0.5
For shell nozzles whose upper edge of reinforcement(Z) is greater than 1.55 (R*t) from the tank
bottom, the reinforcing plate dia.(S) is greater than 0.75Z, and the reinf. plate to bottom clearance(Y)
0.5
is less than 1.55(R*t) , an alternate solution for the unrestrained radial deflection and nozzle rotation
is included in the program output. This additional solution assumes the shell and reinforcement to be
rigid enough to cause a linear radial shell growth from the bottom to full growth at the top edge of
reinforcement. Reference the figure below:

∆R1
∆R2

Z
∆R2= ∆R1 (L / Z) L
nd radially at the