CHAPTER 13

FLAT BOTTOM TANKS

461
462 flAI II IT M TANK

13.1 INTRODUCTION

Flat bottom tanks are normally constructed according to one of the following
four standards:

1. API 650. Welded steel tanks for oil storage.

2. API 620. Recommended rules for design and construction of large,
welded, low-pressure storage tanks.
3. ANSI B96. I. American National Standard for welded aluminum-alloy
storage tanks.
4. AWWA D 100. Standard for welded steel elevated tanks, standpipes,
and reservoirs for water storage.

Table 13.1 shows a general comparison between the requirements of the various
standards. The values in the table serve as a general comparison; however,
specific requirements and limitations are obtained from the standards them-
selves.

13.2 API 650 TANKS

The requirements of API 650' are for flat bottom tanks containing liquids with
little or no surface pressure. The design criteria are based on simplified equations
with a minimum amount of analysis.

13.2.1 Roof Design

Aat bottom tanks with large diameter and fixed roof normally are designed with
column-supported roofs. As the diameter gets smaller, self-supporting roofs
become more economical. Dome and cone roofs are the most popular types.
The following equation for designing self-supporting dome roofs is obtained
from Eq. 9.2b, which is based on a factor of safety (FS) four:

0.0625 E
(13.1)
P = (Rlt)'

The required thickness is obtained by assuming that the maximum pressure

consists of a live load of 25 psf, which is the assumed maximum snow load, and
a dead load of a maximum roof thickness of 0.5 in. as allowed by API. Hence

P = 25 psf live load + 20.4 psf dead load

= 0.315 psi
 Table 13.1 Various Standards Requirements for Flat Bottom Tanks

API 650 API 620 ANSI

Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 896.1
Basic A F Basic R Q AWWA

Maximum internal P Atm. Atm. 2.5 psi 15 psi 15 psi 15 psi Atm. Atm.
Minimum temperature NS -20'F NS -50'F -60'F -270'F -20'F -55'F
Maximum temperature 2OO'P 2oo'F 2OO'P 2oo'F -40'F 2oo'F 4oo'F RT
Maximum shell thickness 1.75 in. 0.50 in. 1.75 NS NS NS NS 2 in.

Minimum shell D<50ft 0.1875 in. 0.1875 in. 0.1875 in b 0.25 in.
thickness 50 ft < D < 120 ft 0.25 in. 0.25 in. 0.25 in.' 0.25 in.
120 ft < D < 200 ft 0.3125 in. 0.3125 in. 0.3125 in. 0.3125 in.
D>2ooft 0.375 in. 0.375 in. 0.375 in.

Minimum roof thickness 0.1875 in. NS 0.1875 in. 0.1875 in.

Minimum bottom plate 0.25 in. + CA NS d
0.25 in. NS d
thickness

Min. D < 35 ft 2 in. x 2 in. x 16 in. NS 24in. x 2!in. X ~in. NS

top 35ft<D <60ft 2 in. x 2 in. x ! in. NS 2~ in. x 2! in. X ft in. NS
angle D>60ft 3 in. x 3 in. x tin. NS 3 in. x 3 in. x I in. NS
Notes: NS = not specified
CA = corrosion allowance
RT = room temperature
"This temperature can be extended as high as 500°F when certain additional material and design requirements are met.

e b This thickness applies to tanks with a diameter less than 20 f1.

C This thickness applies to tanks between 20 and 120 ft. in diameter.

"Minimum thickness of any plate is 0.1875 in. plus CA.

41>'1 HAl II II M lANK

UIOg E 29 x 10· psi, expressing R in feel, nnd t in inches, Eq. 13.1 is

R
t=-- (13.2)
200

which gives the required thickness of a dome roof.

The roof-to-shell junction has a stiffening ring to provide for the discontinuity
forces shown in Fig. 13.1. Force H is expressed as

H = N", cos 0
PR
=2cos O (13.3)

and the required area needed to resist this tensile force is given by

A = ::.H.o::(D..!.../Z=<.) (13.4)
a

ttH ROOF

N~__V
,,
6
, H
V

SHELL

0/2

Figure 13.1
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 465

DR
40'/(P cos Ii)

API 650 assumes a maximum value of 0' for head-to-shell rings of 15,000 psi.
The value of P can be taken as 0.315 psi. The maximum value of cos Ii for R
is 0.8D and is equal to 0.909. ExpressingR and D in feet and A in square inches,
the required area is

DR
A = 1455

API uses the equation

DR
A = 1500 (13.5)

for the required area at dome-to-shell junction.

The required thickness of self-supporting conical roofs is based on Eq. 9. 19
and is

Po 2.61(1 sin Ii/D)'"

E = --=FS::':("-L-;:/2D~)-'----

= 10.44 (I sin 1i)'5

FS (tan Ii) D

Substituting E = 29 X 10' psi and Po = 0.315 psi in this equation and express-
ing D in feet and 1 in inches results in

D [FS(tan Ii)f'
1= (13.6)
sin Ii 326.54

Figure 13.2 shows a plot of this equation for various factors of safety. A more
simplified equation used by API is

D
1 = -:-4oo;:-;;:-s""7in
----=-e (13.7)

where 1 = required thickness of cone roof (in.)

D = diameter of tank (ft)

Ii = angle between cone and horizontal base (degrees)

466 ILA! 8 110M lANK

~
.020

.019

.018

,017
:• 0 .1
.016

,01S

.014
Y-O .013
F.$.=4D
,012

.011

,010

.009

.008

.007

,006

.005

.004
5 10 15 20 25 35

(J
Figure 13.2

The required area at the cone roof-to-shelljunction is obtained from Eq. 13.4.
In this case, H for a dead load condition is given by

H=~
4 sin 6

and

A = D' P (13.8)
80' sin 6

Using 0' = 15,000 psi, p = 0.315 psi, and expressing D in feet and A in
square inches, the required area is
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 461

0'
A = --=--
2645 sin 6

API uses the simplified expression

0'
A= (13.9)
3000 sin 6

for the required area at the cone-to-shell junction where

A = required area (in')

o= diameter of tank (ft)
(J = angle between cone surface and horizontal base (degrees)

For tanks with small internal pressures, the maximum pressure is limited to that
which does not cause the uplift of the tank in the empty condition. Hence from
Fig. 13.3 the upward force due to pressure is equal to the downward force
resulting from weight of shell plus roof:
460 IIAI DOH M TANK

(r

4
P = - -2 W + IhY
'TTD

where P = internal pressure (in. of water)

W = weight of shell (lb)
D = diameter of tank (ft)
Ih = thickness of roof plate (in.)
Y = 490 lb/ft'

The equation for maximum pressure is then

p.max = O.245W
D2 +
8
th (13.10)

The stress level at the head-to-shell junction must also be checked. In re-
femng to Fig. 13.3, vertical force V is given by

PD D
V = - - (lhY)-
4 4

or

V
H=--
tan(J

H = _1_[PD _ IhYD]
tan(J 4 4

required area is

A = HD/2
u

or

BAu tan (J
P = D2 + IhY
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 469

Letting u = 20,000 psi and 'Y = 490 (b/ft', this equation reduces to the approx·
Im(\te equation

p. = 30,800A tan IJ + 81, (13.11)

~ 0 2

where P = internal pressure (in. of water)

A = required area at roof-to-shell junction (in. 2)
IJ = angle as defined in Fig. 13.3
o= diameter of tank (ft)
I, = roof thickness (in.)
Equation 13.11 may be rewritten to calculate the required junction area A as

2
A = =:-0::-.".(P;:-:--...:8""I,':C) (13.12)
30,800 tan IJ

API 650 assumes failure to occur when the stress in the junction area reaches
32,000 psi. This is an increase of 60% over the allowable stress of 20,000 psi
used in deriving Eq. 13.11. Hence failure pressure can be expressed as

PI = 1.6P - 4.81, (13.13)

where PI = failure pressure (in. of water)

P = design pressure (in. of water)
I, = roof thickness (in.)

The second term in Eq. 13.13 is an adjustment factor that correlates this equation
with experimental data.
When the roof-to-shell junction is designed so that failure because of exces-
sive surface pressure occurs at !he junction rather than the roof or shell, the
junction is called frangible. A frangible joint design equation can be derived by
substituting Eq. 13.10 into Eq. 13.13, which gives

o W + 8I, = I. 6 P - 4. 8
0.245 I,

or

0.245 W
P = 1.60 2 + 8 I,
470 fiAT h II M lANK

Substituting this equation into Eq. 13.12 gives

0.153 W
A = 730::-,7800~t-an-:O (13.14)

where A = required tangible roof-to-shell area (in')

W = weight of shell
o= angle of roof with horizontal axis (degrees)

Note that failure of a frangible roof joint is only possible when the welding is
from one side.

13.2.2 Shell Design

API 650 includes two methods for the design of shells. The first is called the
"one-foot method," which consists of calculating the required thickness of shell
course A in Fig. 13.4 based on the hydrostatic pressure at I ft above point X

H 0
1

°1
®

Figure 13.4
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 471

whi h is the circumferential seam between courses A and B. This method

considers that the bottom plate on course B stiffens the next course at poinl X
lind the maximum stress occurs al a location higher than X. This location is
urbitrarily set at "one foo!."
At point X the hoop stress is given by

s= PD
21

or

1 = .;:.G-"-y-'-(H---::-::c-----'-)_D
I
2S

Defining y = 62.4 pef and adding the corrosion allowance to this expression
gives

1= 2.6D(H - I)G + CA (13.15)

S

where CA = corrosion allowance (in.)

D = diameter of tank (ft)
G = specific gravity of liquid
H = liquid height (ft)
S = allowable stress (psi)
1 = required thickness (in.)

The second method, the "variable point method," is an extension of the

one-foot method in that it calculates a more exact location of the maximum stress
near the junction of the bottom or shell courses with differing thickness. In this
case the bottom course is assumed to be hinged at its junction with the bottom
plate. Hence the deflection due to internal pressure at the junction is equal to the
deflection due to an applied shearing force as shown in Fig. 13.5. From Section
5.2.1,

B, = B,
V PR'
=
2f3'D £1

or

2f3'DPR'
V = --'--=--
£1
411 IIAI ROil M lANK

I
A
I
I PRl
1---6'-
I Et
I
I
I
I
x I
I
I
1- ----.l_--4'--I_ _( - - V
o

Figure 13.5

The hood stress at any point along the cylinder close to the junction is given by

N. = PR(l - C/l<)

where C/l< is given by Eq. 5.23. Taking the derivation of this equation with
respect to x and equating it to zero gives the point of maximum N•. This occurs
at

37T
X = 4f3

and

N. = PR( 1 - e-3~/4 cos 3:)

= 1.06 PR

Hence

1= N.IS
= 1.06 PR
S

or using the terminology of API 650

 13.2 API 650 TANKS 47

Tests have shown that this equation is too conservative because the maximum
stress can be many feet away from the junction where the pressure is reduced and
the stiffness of the second course becomes significant. Accordingly, the equation
for the design of the bottom course is modified to read

(13.16)

The thickness of the second course is determined from the following equations;

12 = I, if ~
vn;-< 1.375

- (20)[2.1 -
1.
h1
25
rt 1
] if 1.375 <,~
v rt
<
1
2.625

12 = I", if ,~;;" 2.625 (13.17)

v rtl

where 12 = thickness of first course (in.)

12 = thickness of second course (in.)

120 = thickness of second course calculated from the equation for upper
course (in.)
hi = height of first course (in.)
r = radius of shell (in.)

Design of the upper courses is based on the equation

2.6D[H - x/12]G C
1= + A (13.18)
S

where x is the variable design point that is a function of the thicknesses of layers,
tank radius, and liquid height.
In referring to Fig. 13.6, x is the minimum value of x" X2, and x, obtained
from the following equations:

XI = 0.61vn;; + 0.32 Ch,

X2 = Ch,
x, = 1.22vn;;
where
YK(K - I)
C = 1+ KYK
4'4 1IA1 0 11 M lANK

lu
INITIAL
~ LOCATKlH
3 OF TANK
SHELL
VARiABlE
DESIGN POINT

hu X',
0.32 Ch u
t22 vrr;; MAXIMUM
DEFLECTION

X, 0.61
/ 2
Vrr:' / O.32Cfhur ]
El u
/ GIRTH JOINT

2
MIN. HT. OF X2 I
WHEN *-1.0;C=O-X 2 I
I
UNRE5TRAltoEO
RADIAL
GROWTH
0.61 rt u Yr'
El
u
J
Figure 13.6 Elastic movement of shell courses at girth joint (Ref. 5).

After establishing the shell thickness due to hydrostatic pressure, stability due
to wind loads must be checked. The applied wind pressure is nonnally expressed
as

P = 0.00256 y'

where p = wind pressure (pst)

Y = wind velocity (mph)

API uses a loo-mph wind velocity for design purposes unless a higher value is
specified. Hence

p = 25.6 psf

Because the pressure distribution may cause a vacuum on part of the shell, the
shell is designed to withstand a vacuum pressure of 25.6 psf. A simplified
expression for the buckling of cylindrical shells is given by Eq. 6.12 as
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 41~

.!.... = 2.42£ ( (t /D)" )

FS (l - JL')'/' H /D - 0.45 Vt/D

or for long cylinders with £ = 30 X 106 psi and JL = 0.3,

H = 77.92 X
6 FS
10 P t
(t)U
D
a

Substituting Pa = 25.6 psf and FS = 2.0, this equation becomes

H = 6(100t)~C~t)' (13.19)

where H = length between stiffeners (ft)

t = thickness of shell (in.)
D = tank diameter (ft)

The required section modulus of the stiffening ring necessary for resisting the
lateral pressure is obtained from the following classical buckling equation of a
ring:

3£1
Fer =
R'

or

3£1
F = FS(R')
where

F= PH

Hence

PHR'(FS)
1=
3£

or

PHD' FS
(13.20)
Z=24£C/D
4/6 HAl U 11 M lANK

API assumes that the roli of the outstanding leg of a stiffener to the diameter
of the tank is not less than 0.015. Hence, elD = 0.0075. Using FS = 2.0,
P = 25.6 psf, E = 29 X 10' psi, and expressing D and H in feet, the equation
for the required section modulus of a stiffening ring is

Z = 0.0001 HD 2 (13.21)

where z = required section modulus of stiffening ring (in.')

H = height between stiffeners (ft)
D = diameter of tank (ft)

13.2.3 Annular Plates

The required thickness of the bottom plate in an API 650 tank is given in Table
13.1. At the shell-to-bottom plate junction, the API standard requires a butl-
welded annular plate whose thickness varies between 0.25 and 0.75 in. and is
a function of the stress and thickness of the first shell course. The width of the
annular plate must be adequate to support the column of water on top of it in case
of a foundation settlement. By referring to Fig. 13.7,
wL 2
M=T
Using plastic analysis
l
4M
u:, = --:r
I,

or

L=

L=

Letting P = 62.4 pef, u:, = 33,000 psi, and expressing H in feet and I, in
inches, the equation becomes

L = 195 I,
VGii
API 650 uses a factor of safety of two for the length. The length of the annular
plate is thus expressed as

L=390I, (but not less than 24 in.) (13.22)

VGii
 13.2 API6S0 TANKS 471

°'2

w:::p·G"H

__1'b
f
I. L
.1
ta)

tb}=~)M
I L I

tb)
Figure 13.7

where L = length of annular plate (in.)

Ib = thickness of annular plate (in.)
H = height of liquid (ft)
G = specific gravity of liquid

Example 13.1. The steel tank in Fig. 13.80 contains a liquid at the roof-to-
shell junction level. Design the various tank components if G = 1.1, CA =
0.0, S = 15,000 psi. Use the "one-foot" method for shell design.

Solution. For the roof design, Eq. 13.1 gives

R 80
1=200 or 1 = -
200
= 0.40 in. Use 1 = 7/16 in. for the dome roof

For the shell design the required thickness for the bonom course is given by Eq.
4'8 IlAI8 II M lANK

~~30' 10'

I. .1 80'

lal

Angle 4X4X'i

.1
4

,"
__-'1J_-=::tO- I
"

v 5 .,
- ....-'·16

(b)

Figure 13.8

13.15 as

2.6(80)(20 - 1)(1.1)
tl = 15 ,()()()

= 0.29 in. Use t = 5116 in. for the bottom course

For the top course

2,6(80)(10 - 1)(1.1)
t, = 15 ,()()()

= 0.14 in. Use t = 114 in. for the top course according to Table 13.1
 13.2 API 6S0 TANKS 479

The required intennediate stiffener spacing is obtained from Eq. 13.19 as

H = 6(100I)~C~I)'
Using a conservative value of 1 = 0.25 in.,

H = 6(100 X 0.25)~ COO ;0°·25)'

= 26.20 ft

Because this is larger than the height of the tank, no intennediate stiffeners are
needed.
The required area of the roof-to-shell junction from Eq. 13.5 is

DR
A = 1500

= ""(8-==°),,,,(82° )
1500
= 4.27 in.' Use 4 x 4 x 5/8 in. angle with A = 4.61 in.'

For the bottom plate use 1 = 1/4 in. according to Table 13.1.
Assume the annular plate is 1/4 in. thick. Then the width of the annular plate
from Eq. 13.22 is

L = 3901.
VGH
390 x 0.25
=
Vl.l x 20
L = 20.79 in.; Use a 24-in. wide annular plate

The above details of construction are shown in Fig. 13.8b. •

Example 13.2. In Example 13.1, detennine (a) the maximum allowable inter-
nal pressure and the maximum failure pressure, (b) the required roof-to-shell
area if a frangible joint is required, and (c) the thickness of the shell using the
design conditions of Example 13.1 and the variable point method.

Solution

(a) The maximum pressure that does not cause uplift of the shell is obtained
from Eq. 13.10:
480 IIAT 8 " M IANI(

weight of shell (40.82)(7T)(80)(10)(5/16 + 1/4)

= 57,800 Ib

P.
mu
= 0.245 80'
x 57,800 8
+X.
04375

= 5.71 in. of water

= 0.21 psi

The maximum pressure that does not cause excessive stress at the head-to-shell
junction is given by Eq. 13.11 as

Pmu = (30,8oo)(:O~I)(O.577) + (8)(0.4375)

= 16.3 in. of water

= 0.59 psi

Thus, maximum internal pressure = 0.21 psi.

The failure pressure from Eq. 13.13 is

/} = 1.6 P - 4.8 th

= (1.6)(5.71) - 4.8(0.4375)
= 7.04 in. of water
/} = 0.25 psi

(b) The frangible joint area given by Eq. 13.14 is

0.153 W
A = ~-:-::'c:'--..,
30,800 tan 8
0.153 x 57,800
30,800 X 0.577
A = 0.50 in.'

(c) The thickness of the bottom course is calculated from Eq. 13. 16 as

t
=(
I.
06 _ 0.463 X 80
20
/2OXU)
Yl5:OOO
(2.6 X 20 X 80 X
15,000
1.1)
= 0.30 in.
For the top course, the quantity
 13.2 API 650 TANKS 481

hi 10 x 12
vn; = \/(40 x 12)(0.3) = 10

indicates that I, = I" as given by Eq. 13.17.

Equation 13 .18 is based on an iterative process that is initiated by assuming a
value of I" which can be obtained from the approximate equation

2.6(H-I) DG
I, = 15000
,
2.6 X 9 X 80 X 1.1
15,000
= 0.14 in.

From Eq.13.19,

K = £! = 0.30 = 2.14
I. 0.14
C = 0.59
x, = 0.61\/(40 X 12)(0.3) + 0.32(0.59)(10 X 12)
= 29.98
x, = 0.59(10 x 12)
= 70.80

x, = 1.22\/(40 X 12)(0.14)
=10

Hence x = 10 controls and

2.6 D(H - x/12)G

I, = S

= =-c2...:..6(",80""),,,,(I..:..0-=---=-1=--:-0,-/1:. : 2-,-,)(=--:-J.-C."-1)
15,000
= 0.14 in.

Because this value is the same as the assumed one, the analysis is complete,
and no additional iteration is needed. Hence, use

I, = 5/16 in. for the bottom course

I, = 1/4 in. for the top course as governed by Table 13.1 •
~82 flAT 8 flOM lANK

13.3 API 620 TANKS

API 620 tanks' tend to be more complicated in geometry and are generally
subjected to higher internal pressure than API 650 tanks. Accordingly, the
requirements of API 620 differ significantly from those of API 650 because the
thickness of the components is obtained from stress analysis that considers the
biaxial stress state rather than a set of simplified fonnulas.
The SlreSS analysis procedure in API 620 is based on Eqs. 6.10 and 6.11.
Equation 6. I 1 for N. can be determined for any shell configuration by using the
summation of forces obtained from a free-body diagram. The advantage of a
free-body diagram is that forces other than pressure can be accounted for without
going through an integration process. Once N. is determined, the value of N. is
obtained from Eq. 6. 10 as

(13.23)

where N. = ~ of forces at a given cross section.

Example 13.3 illustrates the application of Eq. 13.23 to API 620 tanks.

Example 13.3. The tower shown in Fig. 13.9 is filled with a liquid whose
specific gravity is 1.0 up to point a. Above point a the tower is subjected to a
gas pressure of 5 psi. Detennine the forces in the various components of the
tower disregarding the dead weight of the tower.

Solution

Roof Forces

The maximum force in the roof is obtained from Fig. 13. lOa. Below section a-a,
a 5-psi pressure is needed to balance the pressure above section a-a. Force N.
in the roof has a vertical component V around the perimeter of the roof. Sum-
mation of forces in the vertical direction gives

1rDV - 1rD' ~ =0
4
PD 480
V=-=5x-
4 4
= 600 Ib/in.

Hence
V 600
N. = sin IJ = 0.42
= 1440 Ib/in.
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 483

.0'

P:5 psi
• ------- ----
Y,62.' pct R"\ 35

b
-------/ 1 0'

25'

d
20'

Figure 13.9

and from Eq. 13.23 with R, = R, = 48 ft,

N, = PR =5 X 576
2 2
= 1440 Ib/in.

and the unbalanced force H a = 1309 Ib/in. (inwards).

40-Ft Shell

The maximum force in the shell is at section bob as shown in Fig. 13.lOb. Total
weight of liquid at section bob is
W = 62.4 (7T)(20)'(35)
= 2,744,500 Ib

Total pressure at bob is 5 + (62.4/144)(35).

P = 20.17 psi

Sum of the forces at bob is equal to zero. Hence,

2,744,500 - (20.17)(7T)(240)' + V(7T)(480) = 0

V = 600 lb/in.
484 HAl 8 IT M lANK

1----
480" ----1

IJi5P'S'I.~)
(0) a
:21==
- - - V
~GJ'24.62°
""
N'
l l I
5p.s.i. . . . ......
if -- -
a

b- - - - - - -b
Tfn-lTf_
P
V V

(b)
V N'
b--- \-l'-.L-'-LJ.'-.L..L..:~..J..i"_-'--_

Figure 13.10

and
N. = 600 lb/in.

In a cylindrical shell R 1 = 00 and R, = R. Hence Eq. 13.23 becomes

N. = PR = (20.17)(240)
= 4841 lb/in.

Conical Transition

At scclion bob force V in the 4O-ft shell must equal force V in the cone due to
continuity. as shown in Fig. 13. lOb.
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 485

h-r--..:r;.--.--J-.. H - - c

Cc)
,
V
p
c--- III1I1 ---c

Cd)

d- - - -I-r-ro,","I"I-l- - - -d
p
V
Figure 13.10 (Continued)

v= 600 Ib/in.
and
600
N, = 0.707
= 8491b/in.

In a conical shell R, = 00 and R, = R/sin 8. Hence Eq. 13.23 becomes

4Uo fLAt u rrOM rANKS

No = RP = 240 (20.17)
sin II 0.707
= 6847 Ib/in.
The horizontal force at point b is H. = 600 Ib/in. (inwards) •

Figure 13 .lOc shows the forces at point c. The weight of liquid in conical
section is

TryH , ,
W = -3- (R, + R,R, + R,)

= 7r x 62.4 x 10 (10' + 10 x 20 + 20')

3
= 457,400 Ib

Total liquid weight is

W = 2,744,500 + 457,400 = 3,201,900 Ib

Pressure at section c-c is 5 + (62.4/144)(45).

P = 24.5 psi

Summing forces at section c-c gives

(24.5)(7r)(l20)' - 3,201,900 - (V)(7r)(240) = 0

V = -2777 Ib/in.

The negative sign indicates that the vertical component of N. is opposite to

that assumed in Fig. 13.lOc and is in compression rather than tension. This is
caused by the column of liquid above the cone whose weight is greater than the
net pressure force at section c-c.

-2777
N~ = 0.707
= -3927 Ib/in. (compressive)
. 24.5
No = RP / sm II = 120 x 0.707

= 4158 Ib/in.
H, = 3927 lb/in. (inwards)
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 487

20-FI Shell

At section c-c the value of V in the 20-ft shell is the same as V in the cone due
to continuity. Thus

N. = V = -2777 Ib/in.
N. = PR = (24.5)(120)
= 2940 lb/in.

At section d-d the liquid weight is given by

W = 3,201,900 + (62.4)(1T)(l0)'(25)
= 3,692,000 Ib

and the pressure is calculated as

P = 5 + (~~) (70)
= 35.3 psi

From Fig. 13.IOd the summation of forces about d-d is

3,692,000 - 35.3(1T)(l20)' + V(1T)(240) = 0

N. = V = -2777 Ib/in.

which is the same as that at point c.

N. = PR = (35.3)(120)
= 4236 Ib/in. •

13.3.1 Allowable Stress Criteria

The required thickness of API 620 components in tension is detennined from the
larger of the values obtained from these two expressions:

N.
1=-
SE
(13.24)
N.
1=-
SE
488 flAT 8 110M lANK

where required thickness of component (in.)

N. = hoop force (lb/in.)
N. = meridional force (lbslin.)
S = allowable tensile stress (psi)
E = joint efficiency similar to discussion in Section 8.1

The API criteria for components in compression are as follows.

Compressive Stress in the Axial Direction with No Stress in the Circum-

ferential Direction

The rules for this case are based on the axial buckling of a cylindrical shell as
given by Eq. 5.28. With E = 30,000,000 psi and a factor of safety 10, this
equation becomes

u = 1.8 x IO{~) (13.25)

To prevent the stress in Eq. 13.25 from exceeding the allowable tensile stress
of the material, an arbitrary value of 15,000 psi is established as the upper limit
of the allowable compressive stress. This is shown in Fig. 13. II as line OABC
where AB is a transition line between Eq. 13.25 and the upper limit of 15,000
psi.

16.000 15,000 I -

14,000 211400
~ B
C
,~
A<!"~
12,000
III 1/

-
:!!
en
10,000

8,>
f/-
iI-I--- 19---.; E
834D
-~
.~Ul ~' ,5650+154,200(\)
6 poo
~::7
~E 6' ~~
o
u
4 ,000

2P00 bt·{'1 ~~~/<§'~'

---

o .002 .006 .010 .014 .018 .022

I
R
Figure 13.11 (Courtesy of the Americon Petroleum InstiMe.)
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 489

Compressive Stress with Equal Magnitude in the Meridional and CirculII-

ferential Directions

The governing equation is obtained from Eq. 6.35 for the buckling of a spherical
shell with a factor of safety of four. Using E = 30,000,000 psi, the equation
becomes

(]' = 937,500 (~)

which is approximated in API as

= 1,000,000 (~) (13.26)

This value is 1.8 times smaller than the value given by Eq. 13.25. Accordingly,
the limit of Eq. 13.26 is established as 15,000/1.8 = 8340 psi. Thus ODEF in
Fig. 13.11 is the criteria used for components having compressive stress of equal
magnitude in the meridional and circumferential directions.

Compressive Stress with Unequal Magnitude in the Meridional and Circum-

ferential Directians

The criteria for this case are based on the following equations:

(larger stress) + 0.8(smaller stress)

$ 1.0 (l3.27a)
stress determined from OARC in
Fig. 13.11 using R for the larger force

1.8(smaller stress)
$ 1.0 (l3.27b)
stress determined from OARC in
Fig. 13.11 using R for the smaller force

Compressive Stress in One Direction and Tensile Stress in the Other Direction

The criteria are based on the assumption that the capability of a component to
resist compressive force in a given direction is reduced as the tensile force in the
other direction increases. The governing relationship is derived as follows. Let

M = actual compressive stress

allowable compressive stress
from OARC of Fig. 13.11
 490 IIAT U 110M lANK

lind
N = actual tensile stress
allowable tensile stress

Then

M' + MN + N' = 1.0 (13.28)

The interaction of this equation with Eq. 13.25 is shown in Fig. 13.12.

13.3.2 Compression Rings

As shown in Example 13.3 there are unbalanced horizontal forces at the roof-
to-shell and cone-to-shell junctions. These forces must be carried by a com-
pression ring region at that location. The region can be in tension or compression
depending on the direction of the discontinuity as well as the hoop forces. API
620 assumes that portions of the roof, shell, and cone shown in Fig. 13.13 are
part of the compression ring region. The total force given by the following
equation is assumed to be supported by the ring region:

:; 'HO~E: I I
• IF COMPRE$SlV£ SlllES.5 1$
LATITUDINAL, USE A.A~~-f- -
I
:::E
o .',000
IF COMPRESSIVE STRESS IS
MERIDIONAL, USE A-I'll

u
z
I
'Iii)
... 1.11 .,iP.:.
• Scs-U.OOlI PSI C
N·

!i 14.000
,...
\o,\!p

~ ., Sc.-

~ 12.000 00 HOT UTA"POLATl::

/ •
8EYOND THIS UHE
•e 10.000 \.
, . oz
•
• g
0

e:; '.GOO ~
a.1e

~ "'oo
,..'# 0.7
·
~
~

f-
f- ;,-
·
I '.-
6tV .10 iii
~

!-
~
0.90:
•. ~
>

, I) 0002 0._ 0.00& 0.001 0.010 0.012 0.014 0.011 0.011 0.020 0.022

fIR RATIO
FiglJre 13.12 Biaxial stress chart for combined tension and compression 30.000 psi to 38,000 psi yield stress
sleell. (Courtesy of the American Petroleum InstiMe.)
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 491

Root 01 tank

Compression
ring region

.....I---I---.+Ac.+----il---+--'<+-"h/

'c-+H-

Cylindrical sidewall of tank

Figure 13.13 Compression ring region. (Courtesy of the American Petroleum Institute.)

(\3.29)

where Q = total force at ring region (lb)

N" = meridional force in roof or cone (lb/in.)
N" = circumferential force in shell (lb/in.)
W h = effective length of roof or cone as determined from Fig. 13.13
(in.)
W, = effective length of shell as determined from Fig. 13.13, (in.)
H = unbalanced horizontal force at junction (lb/in.)
R = radius of tank at junction (in.)

The total required area at the junction is determined from

Q
A = 15 ()()() when Q is compressive
,
(\3.30)
A = 2..
SE
when Q is tensile
492 flM 0 nOM lANK

where A required area (in. 2)

S = Allowable tensile stress (psi)
E = joint efficiency

Details of various ring attachments arc shown in Fig. 13.14.

Example 13.4. Determine the required thicknesses of the 20-ft shell and the
conical reducer in Example 13.3. Also determine the required stiffening ring
area at point c. Let S = 20,000 psi, E = 1.0, and CA = 0.0.

Solution

20-Ft Shell

From Example 13.3 the forces at point c are

N~ = -2777 Ib/in.
N, = 2940 lb/in.

and the forces at point d are

N. = - 2777 Ib/in.
N, = 4236 lb/in.

Thus forces at point d control. From Eq. 13.24,

t = =--;:,4:,::2=.:36=---:-;:-
20,000 x 10
= 0.21 in.

Let

9 .
t = 16 m.

Then

t
-R = 00047
.

actual tensile stress = 04;~~5 = 7530 psi

 aJ ( b) ( oj Cd)
•
Permissible

(e, lUI 19'

Permissible

(h)

Perrni.uible where roof (or bot'1'om)

plate thicknes.s is f10t 0"." tin.

(0
•
Not permiSl.ible

Figure 13.14 Some permissible and nonpenniS$ible details of compression-ring-juncture conshvction. (Cour-
tesy of the American Petroleum InstiMe.)

493
~9~ ILAI DOli M TANKS

. stress
a luu1 compressive 2777 = 4940'
= 0.5625 pSI

allowable compressive stress from Eq . 13.25 -- I. 8 X 10. (0.5625)

l2()- -
8440 psi

From Eq. 13.28,

N = 7530 = 038
20,000 .

M = 4940 = 059
8400 .
0.38' + 0.38 x 0.59 + 0.59' = 0.72 < 1.0 or use t = 9/16 in. shell.

Conical Transition Section

From Example 13.3, forces at point b are

N. = 849 Ib/in.
N. = 6847 Ib/in.

and from Eq. 13.24

6847
t=20000
,
= 0.34 in.

Forces at point c are given by

N. = -3927 Ib/in.
N. = 4158 Ib/in.

Let

t = 11/16 in.

Then

!.- = 0.6875 = 0.0057

R 120
4158 = 6050'
actuaI tens iI e stress = 0.6875 pSI
 13.3 API 620 TANKS 495

actu al compressIve 3927 = 5710'

. stress = 0.6875 pSI

. stress f rom Eq . 13 .25

aII owable compressive =
1.8 x 10'
120 0.6875 = 7290 pSI.

6050
N = 20,000 = 0.30

5710
M = 7290 = 0.78
0.30' + 0.30 x 0.78 + 0.78' = 0.91 OK

use t = 11/16 in. for conical transition section

Compression Ring

From Example 13.3 the discontinuity force at point c is

H = -3927 Ib/in. (inwards)

W, = 0.6 (120)(0.5625)
= 4.93 in.

W. = 0.6 (0Iig7) (0.6875)

= 6.48 in.
N", = 2940 Ib/in.
N., = -3927 lb/in.
Q = (-3927)(6.48) + 2940(4.93) + (-3927)(120)
= -482,190 lb

From Eq. 13.30,

A = 482,190
15,000
= 32.15 in.' required area
available area = (0.6875)(6.48) + (0.5625)(4.93)
= 7.23 in.'
needed area = 31.25 - 7.23 = 24.02 in.'

Use 2 in. x 12 in. ring. •

13.4 ANSI 896.1 ALUMINUM TANKS

The rules for ANSI B96.1 Tanks' follow the same general criteria as API 650
rules. Differences in various requirements between aluminum and steel tanks are
given in Table 13.1.

13.4.1 Design Rules

The design of dome roofs is obtained from Eq. 9.2b and is based on a factor of
safety of 4.0. Hence,

0.0625£
P= (Rlt)'

Using £ = 8,000,000 psi at 400°F, this equation reduces to

(13.31)

where t = thickness of dome roof

R = radius of roof (ft)
p = dead and live loads (psf)

The required area at the roof-to-shell junction is obtained from Eq. 13.4:

A = DRP cos ()
(13.32)
40'

A conservative value of cos () is taken as 1.0. Hence,

A = PRD (13.33)
40'

where A = required area at dome roof-to-shell junction (in')

P = dead and live loads (psf)
R = spherical radius of dome roof (ft)
D = diameter of shell (ft)
0' = allowable tensile stress of roof, shell, or junction area, whichever
is less (psi)

The required thickness of a self-supporting conical roof is obtained from the

 13.4 ANS 896.1 ALUMINUM TANKS 497

fullowing expression, which is similar to Eq. 13.5:

FS(tan 0)°'
I - D pO' ':"S::::9::7:=s':"m"-':O'- (13.34)

ANSI B96.1 uses an approximate equation which, for the design of conical
roofs, is given by

DvP (13.35)
I = -:'I-:'4:-14"""""sin--=O

where I = required thickness of cone roof (in.)

D = diameter of tank (ft)
P = dead plus live loads (psf)
o= angle between cone surface and horizontal base (degrees)

The required area at the cone roof-to-shelljunction is obtained from Eq. 13.S
as

PD 2
A = ~-=:---= (13.36)
SO' sin 0

where A = required area (in.')

P = dead and live loads (psf)
D = diameter of tank (ft)
0' = allowable tensile stress (psi)
o= angle between cone surface and horizontal base (degrees)

The design of aluminum shells is based on Eq. 13.15, which is based on the
"one-foot" method given by

2.6D (H - I) G CA
1= + (13.37)
Ie
where I = shell thickness (in.)
D = tank diameter (ft)
H = height of liquid (ft)
G = specific gravity
498 lLAIO IT M rANKS

f allowoble tensile stress of aluminum (psi)

e = joint efficiency

ANSI 896.1 does not contain rules for intennediate stiffening rings. For open
top tanks, a stiffening ring is required, which is based on Eq. 13.20. In this case,
H is defined as the overall height of the tank and Eq. 13.20 becomes

PHD' (FS)
(13.38)
Z = 48 E (I/ID)

In an elastic body,

f= EE (13.39)

and for a stiffener in bending, the relationship between strain and curvature is

I
e=- (13.40)
2R

Hence, from Eqs. 13.39 and 13.40

Substituting this expression into Eq. 13.38 and using a factor of safety 2.0, the
expression for the required section modulus Z becomes

Z = 0.084 P7' (13.41)

where Z = required section modulus (in. ')

P = wind pressure on tank (psf)
H = height of tank (ft)
D = diameter of tank (ft)
f = allowable stress of stiffening ring (psi)

13.5 AWWA STANDARD 0100

Most water tanks are built in accordance with the "American Water Works
Association Standard for Welded Steel Elevated Tanks, Standpipes, and Reser-
voirs for Water Storage,''' The standard gives few specific equations for the
 BIBLIOGRAPHY 499

design of components. Instead it outlines the general requirements associal'd

with design loads, earthquakes, allowable compressive stress in columns, radio
graphic examination, and so on. Most of the requirements in API 650 can be
applied to AWWA tanks. Some exceptions are given in Table 13.1.

REFERENCES

1. Welded Steel Tanks/or Oil Storage, 7th ed., API Standard 650, American Petroleum Institute,
Washingtoo, D.C., 1980.
2. Recommended Rules for Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low·Pressure Storage
Tanks, 7th ed., API Standard 620, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C., 1982.
3. American National Standard for Welded Alumjnum~Alloy Storage Tanks. ANSI B96.1-1981,
American National Standards Institute, New York, 1981.
4. AWWA Standard for Welded Steel Elevated Tanks, Standpipes, and Reservoirs for Water
Storage, AWWA 0100-73, American Water Works Association, New York, 1973.
S. Zick. L. P., and R. V. McGrath, "Design of Large-Diameter Cylindrical Shells," presented
at the 33rd Midyear Meeting of the American Petroleum lnstitute, 1968.
6. Karcher, G. G., "Stresses at the Shell-to-Bottom Junction of Elevated-Temperature Tanks" in
1981 Proceedings-Refining Departmenl. 46th Midyear Meeting, American Petroleum Insti-
tute, May 1981.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Steel Tonics for Liquid Storage-Steel Plate Engineering Data, Vol. I, American Iron and Steel
Institute, Washington, D.C., 1976.
 Rod baffle heat exchangers. (Courtesy of the Nooter Corporation, St. louis.)

500