Cyclic Testing of Storage Tank Plate-Shell Connection
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27, Issue 2
Abstract
Earthquake-induced uplifting/settlement at the base of liquid-storage tanks causes yielding in the bottom plate. Limited amount of yielding is a source of deformability and damping in tanks, but excessive yielding during repeated cycles can rupture the bottom plate and cause the liquid to leak from the tank. This study is conducted to experimentally determine the amount of plastic yielding that can be allowed in the bottom plate during the expected number of load cycles. Four test specimens for this study were obtained from a tank that was demolished after 66 years of service. A novel test protocol is developed for engineers to account for the large number of load cycles expected during a magnitude M 9 earthquake in the region of interest. From the results of cyclic tests, it is determined that (1) the bottom plate can sustain 20 cycles of rad () plastic rotation without rupture; and (2) the plastic moment capacity of the bottom plate increases by 32% due to strain hardening. These results are significant in performance-based seismic design and evaluation of liquid-storage tanks.
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Data Availability Statement
Test data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The test fixture was carefully designed by Lou Fiorini and Matthew Sterlina of Innovative Test Solutions. Matthew Sterlina performed all the tests with sound judgment and professionalism. His dedication was crucial to successful completion of these tests. Four anonymous reviewers of the manuscript provided a thorough review and thoughtful suggestions to improve the manuscript.
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Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27 • Issue 2 • May 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 29, 2021
Accepted: Aug 31, 2021
Published online: Dec 16, 2021
Published in print: May 1, 2022
Discussion open until: May 16, 2022
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