Update of Seismic Requirements

for LNG Storage Tanks

Stephen W. Meier, PE, SE, SECB

Tank Industry Consultants

ASCE Structures 2007

May 18, 2007
Long Beach, California

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 1

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Design Standards and Regulations

• 49 CFR 193
• NFPA 59A – Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling
of Liquefied Natural Gas
• API 620 Appendix L
Under development:
• ACI 376 - Concrete Structures for Refrigerated Liquefied
Gas Containment
• API 620 Appendix L (revised)
– Revised API 650 Appendix E basis of new Appendix L

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 2

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 49 CFR 193
• Currently Requires NFPA 59A-01
• Not yet adopted NFPA 59A-06

The definition of ground motion requirements

differ from NFPA 59A-01 and NFPA 59A
-06, a complication!

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 3

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Dual Level Earthquake Design
• OBE = Operating Basis Earthquake
– ground motions typically at or below code levels
– tank performance goal is to remain operational with little or no
consequential damage
– may occur more than once in the design life
• SSE = Safe Shut-down Earthquake
– ground motions at or above code levels
– tank performance goal is to prevent catastrophic failure or
release of product
– may experience significant damage to levels beyond
economically justifiable repair
– a one time event

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 4

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Evolution of OBE/ SSE ’96 to ‘06
Ground Motion Requirements

OBE SSE Damping

not specified,
NFPA 59A-96 475 yr, or 0.5 of SSE 10,000 yr usually 2%

2/3 of 2,500 yr MCE, 5,000 yr,

NFPA 59A-01 but not greater than 475 yr but not greater than 2 x OBE 5%

NFPA 59A-06 475 yr 2,500 yr MCE 5%

notes:
475 yr = 10% PE in 50 yrs 2,500 yr = 2% PE in 50 yrs (2,475 yrs)
5,000 yr = 1% PE in 50 yrs ( 4,975 yrs) 10,000 yr = 0.5% PE in 50 yrs ( 9,975 yrs)
2001 and 2006 editions are based on ASCE 7 seismic methods

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 5

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Evolution of OBE/SSE ’96 to ‘06
Design Requirements

• NFPA 59A – limited guidance on stress levels,

damping, load distribution, etc - See Appendix L
• Current Appendix L – old UBC format
• Existing Appendix L is for code level or
contingency level design, not OBE/SSE
• Rw is approximately 4, no adjustment for low
temperature or cryogenic tanks

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 6

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Appendix L Requirements
OBE
• No I or R factors, i.e. no amplification or
reduction factors - use full ground motion
• 0.5% damping for sloshing = 1.5 x 5% ordinates
• Soil structure interaction not permitted
• Limit “J”, anchorage factor, to 1.0
• Permit 33% increase in stresses
• FS for foundation stability = 3.0
• FS against sliding = 1.5 based on =0.7
May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 7
Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Appendix L Requirements
OBE cont’d
• Check of tank shell bearing on foundation and
product on under-bottom insulation required
• Distribution of annular and roof/deck insulation
between inner and outer tank
• Check of internal (pump wells, etc)
• Provide 100% of calculated sloshing height
above MOL (maximum operating level); TL not
used

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 8

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Minimum LNG Tank Freeboard Requirements
Minimum Freeboard
LNG Tank Type Height

Full Containment:
 Suspended deck
o With venting sized for potential vapor No requirement
generated………………………… 0.7 δSSE
o Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated……………...
 Inner tank dome roof No requirement
o Inner tank roof and shell designed for sloshing impingement ………..
o Inner tank roof and shell NOT designed for sloshing impingement 0.7 δSSE
 With venting sized for potential vapor generated…………………. δSSE
 Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated………
Double or Secondary Containment:
o With venting sized for potential vapor generated……………………….. 0.7 δSSE
o Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated……………. δSSE

Single Containment: δSSE

All styles – OBE: OBE

Changes to the liquid impulsive and convective loads due the restraint of the roof
on the sloshing wave shall be considered in the design of the inner container.

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 9

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Appendix L Requirements
SSE
• Use TL ( until codes are changed)
• 0.5% damping for sloshing = 1.5 x 5% ordinates
• Soil structure interaction is permitted > 80%fixed
• Permit 33% increase in stresses
• FS for foundation stability = 2.0
• FS against sliding = 1.0 based on =0.7
• Rc (convective) = 2.0
• I = 1.0 (R factors selected based on I=1.0 and allowable stress
design basis)
May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 10
Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Appendix L Requirements
SSE
• Check of tank shell bearing on foundation and
product on under-bottom insulation required
• Distribution of annular and roof/deck insulation
between inner and outer tank
• Check of internal (pump wells, etc)
• Anchorage ductility

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 11

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Proposed Appendix L Requirements
SSE Ri factors

Inner Tank Mechanically-anchored Self-anchored

9% nickel steel 1.75 1.5

stainless steel 1.75 1.5

aluminum 1.5 1.25

Outer Tank    

carbon steel 2 2

May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 12

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants
 Summary
• Proposed API 620 Appendix L expanded to
address latest seismic requirements
• Appendix L – scheduled for end of 2007
• Watch for changes to 49 CFR 193 to adopt
NFPA 59A-06
• Watch for “Seismic Design Guidelines for Data
Submittal Requirements for LNG Facilities”….
under development by FERC
• Watch for ACI 376… under development
May 2007 Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks 13
Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants