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Non-Planar Settlement Calculations
Non-Planar Settlement Calculations
Let´s see examples of tanks showing different settlement patterns. All of the tanks
were in the same tank farm and are real. All of the tanks had 8 points measured.
By reading this, you´ll get a feel of the settlement analysis in tank shells.
H=30ft
L=13.74ft
Material = A36
Y = 36000
E = 29000000
All the points are satisfactory comparing to the allowable settlement calculated from
the formula.
H=24ft
L=9.82ft
Material = Unknown
Y = 30000
E = 29000000
All the points are satisfactory comparing to the allowable settlement calculated from
the formula.
Smax =((L^2*Y*11)/2*(E*H)) = 0.023
Also, a curve exists for this data for which R2 = 0.998
However, notice the big difference between the highest and lowest point. 93mm. The
tank is tilted.
The tank had some 10 years in operation like that. More assessment was
recommended. Also, the owner was made aware of the lack o capacity of tilted tanks.
H=24ft
L=7.85ft
Material = Unknown
Y = 30000
E = 29000000
We still need to prove that point 2 meets the settlement criteria. How do we tackle
this?
We must measure the maximum out of plane settlement directly from the curve,
using the method mentioned in the document “FINAL REPORT ON THE STUDY OF
OUT OF PLANE TANK SETTLEMENT” by Andreani. As there exists a close cosine
curve, then the graphical method takes that cosine curve into consideration.
I measure the settlement with an image ruler I made in autocad and pasted in Excel.
In this case, as there is an optimal cosine curve, you would compare against that
cosine curve. The following is the image I made where I lay out the different variables
that go into the calculation. The dotted lines need to be where the cosine curve
intersects the data curve.
We will use the procedure in B.3.2.2, using the formula.
The meaning of each variable in this equation is explained in B.3.2.2 of API 653
H=96ft
L=29.85ft
Material = A283 C
Y = 30000
E = 29000000
The curve for these data shows an R2 = 0.649, which is less than 0.9. The settlement
fits poorly to a cosine curve.
Then you must measure the maximum out of plane settlement directly from the
curve, using the method mentioned in the document FINAL REPORT ON THE
STUDY OF OUT OF PLANE TANK SETTLEMENT” ” by Andreani. There is no cosine
curve this time.
I measure the settlement with an image ruler I made in autocad and pasted it in
Excel. The following is the image I made where I lay out the different variables that
go into the calculation. The dotted lines need to be where the curve changes direction.
The results are tabulated below. As S1 is obviously the biggest, there is no need to
check S2 and S3.
All of this will go into a video course I am preparing about taking the API 653 exam
and passing it all along. This video course will also sharpen your inspection skills
once you are certified.