Performance of Storage Tanks in Oil Facilities Damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21, Issue 6
Abstract
This paper presents a qualitative description of structural damage in aboveground steel tanks in oil refineries and facilities, which were observed during reconnaissance missions to the states of Texas and Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Qualitative evidence of damage is shown using photographs taken during the reconnaissance mission in October/November 2005. Damage of tanks occurred due to wind pressures in facilities that were along the path of Hurricane Katrina (such as in Pt. Sulphur, La.) and Hurricane Rita. However, most of the damage and the most significant consequences occurred due to flooding during the days after the hurricane (such as in Chalmette, La.). Flood caused tanks to dislodge from their foundation and move away from their original location. Damage due to hurricane Rita occurred almost exclusively due to direct wind action with damage in the form of localized buckling of the shell or damage to the insulation cladding. Differences between the two events were related to the different wind speed, which was higher in Hurricane Katrina, and due to flooding of oil facilities, which only occurred in areas affected by Katrina. Research needs are identified based on the failure modes observed.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation: “Identification of structural damage in tanks and industrial facilities due to Hurricane Katrina,” Award No. NSF0553986, 2005-2006 (Program Officer Dr. Richard J. Fragaszy). The National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) supported the trips of three UPRM researchers to the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Mid-America Earthquake Center (NSF-MAE) supported the travel expenses of two UPRM researchers. The support of all those institutions is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks are due to Professor Ali Saffar (UPRM), who granted permission to reproduce Figs. 3, 4, and 6, and to Dr. Dante Fratta (University of Wisconsin-Madison), who granted permission to reproduce Fig. 13. Thanks are also due to Dr. Genock Portela (UPRM), Professor Chris Lechford and Mr. Rolando Vega (Texas Tech), and Professor Dorothy Reed (University of Washington), with whom the writer traveled in two missions.NIST
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21 • Issue 6 • December 2007
Pages: 441 - 449
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 8, 2006
Accepted: Dec 14, 2006
Published online: Dec 1, 2007
Published in print: Dec 2007
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