Simple Elastic Analysis of Axisymmetric Cylindrical Storage Tanks

An effective method of computerized analysis of linear elastic cylindrical storage tanks under various axisymmetric support and statical loading conditions is outlined. It applies to tanks resting on unyielding circular line supports and/or elastic media represented by either Winkler springs or an elastic half‐space; linear elastic vertical constraints also being admissible. For tanks buried in soil, the Winkler‐type soil structure interaction is employed. Both open‐topped tanks and structures covered with monolithically joined disc or ring plates are dealt with. The method of analysis applied is a force‐type approach in which each of the main elements, i.e., the base plate, wall, and cover plate (if present) is at first considered separately and then the global solution is obtained by making use of the displacement compatability conditions at the plate‐wall junctions. As demonstrated by the examples, the main features of the method are: (1) High accuracy of the results; (2) very low computational cost; (3) large applicability range; and (4) easy use in the design work.