This study investigates a full-scale prototype tank from actual engineering practice, employing the ANSYS platform to develop a finite element model for a systematic analysis of the tank's dynamic response under three-component seismic excitation, the influence of non-uniform settlement of the annular foundation on structural behavior, and the sloshing wave height variation induced by long-period horizontal ground motions. The results indicate that under triaxial seismic excitation, the tank exhibits pronounced acceleration responses at both the base and the roof, with a horizontal acceleration amplification factor of approximately 5. The horizontal deformation and stress in the tank wall first increase and then decrease along the height, with peak values occurring in the lower-middle region of the tank. Under foundation settlement, the maximum vertical displacement at the tank base occurs at the center of the annular settlement zone, while the base edge exhibits a lifting-like warping deformation. As the settlement extent increases, the lowest shell course progressively buckles inward, and localized stresses at the tank base reach the yield strength of the steel, leading to plastic deformation. When weld stiffness and connection details are considered, the junction between the tank wall and base is susceptible to local buckling or toe-cracking damage modes. Furthermore, even ground motions with relatively low peak ground acceleration but long predominant periods can induce significant liquid sloshing, resulting in substantial wave height responses—this phenomenon provides a plausible explanation for the structural jamming and damage observed at a Sinopec oil depot in Xi'an during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, which was attributed to intense liquid sloshing. The results of this study offer theoretical support and practical engineering references for seismic performance assessment and optimized design of large-scale floating-roof storage tanks.
Li-yongQie. Structural design of storage tanks in petrochemical plant[J]. Petrochemeical Industry Technology, 2027, 24(2): 3-5.
[3]
孙建刚. 大型立式储罐隔震——理论、方法及实验[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2009.
[4]
HoskinsL M, JacobinL S. Water pressure in a tank caused by a simulated earthquake[J]. Bulletin of Seismic Logical Society of America, 1934, 24(1): 1-32.
[5]
VeletsosA S, YangJ Y. Finite element calculation of uplifting bottom plate of unanchored flexibly supported liquid-storage tanks[J]. Petro-chemical Equipment, 1988, 27(2): 38-41.
[6]
HarounmA, HouserG W. Dynamic interaction of liquid storage tanks and foundation soil[C]//Proc Second ASCE/EMD Specialty Conf on Dynamic Response of Structure ASCE, Atlanta,USA, 1981: 346-360.
[7]
HarounmA, HounserG W. Earthquake response of deformable liquid storage tanks[J]. Journal of Appliedmechanics, 1981, 48: 411-418.
[8]
HarounmA. Vibration studies and tests of liquid storage tanks[J]. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 1983, 11(2): 179-206.
[9]
NatsiavasS, PetersonC J. On the seismic behavior of unanchored liquid containers[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 1996, 118(3): 257-264.
[10]
NatsiavasS, BabcockC D. Behavior of unanchored fluid-filled tanks subjected to ground excitation[J]. Journal of Appliedmechanics, Transactions of the ASME, 1988, 55(3): 54-59.
[11]
NatsiavasS. An analytical modal for unanchored fluid-filled tanks under base excitation[J]. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1988, 55(3): 648-653.
GeSong, ChenZhi-ping, ShenJian-min, et al. Quasi-static numerical simulation of elephanr-foot buckling of cylindrical liquid storage tanks[J]. Pressure Vessel Technology, 2005, 22(5): 12-15.
[14]
朱劲平. 大型立式圆柱形油罐象足屈曲研究[D]. 杭州: 浙江大学材料与化学工程学院, 2007.
[15]
ZhuJin-ping. Elephant foot buckling research of large cylindrical oil stirage tanks[D]. Hangzhou:School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2007.
WuLing-yu. Seismic response analysis of vertical oil storage tanks considering liquid sloshing and tank bottom lifting[D]. Harbin: School of Civil Engineering,Harbin Institute of Technology, 2005.
JiangDing-guo. Simplified analysis based on shaking table test of storage tank and study of liquid sway and tabk wall pressure[D]. Guangzhou: School of Civil Engineering,Guangzhou University, 2022.
ZhangJi-feng. Seismic analysis and experimental study of vertical liquid storage tanks[D]. Harbin:School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2003.
WuMing. Vibration test study on a 100 000 m3 oil storage tank[D]. Harbin: School of Civil Engineering,Harbin Institute of Technology, 2012.
[24]
HamdanF H. Seismic behavior of cylindrical steel liquid storage tanks[J]. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2000, 553(12): 307-333.
[25]
SchneiderP, BucherF, ZapecaF. Structural response to thin steel shell structures due to aircraft impact[J]. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 1999, 2(7): 325-329.
YangJie, LiXin-ye, GuoXiao-qiang, et al. Analysis on seismic rfesponse of large unanchored vertical liquid storage tank[J]. Failure Analysis and Prevention, 2024, 19(5): 361-365.
LiWen, GeNan, TengZhen-chao, et al. Seismic response analysis of LNG sorage tank outer tank based on fluid-structure interation[J]. Earthquake Resistant Engineering and Retrofitting, 2024, 46(1): 113-123.
LiangJun-jie, WangQiong-yao, DuGuo-mian, et al. Response analysis of liquid sloshing in large tank under earthquake exitation[J]. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology, 2023, 52(11): 76-80.
LiWen, JiCheng-shi, GeNan. Review on research progress of seismic response of outer tank of LNG tank under tenperature field[J]. Contemporary Chemical Industry, 2023, 52(5): 1159-1162.
WangLei. Analysis of earthquake time history response and dynamic buckling of 150 000 m3 self-anchored oil storage tanls[D]. Hangzhou: School of Materials and Chemical Engineering,Zhejiang University, 2011.
[38]
OzdemirZ, SoulimH, FahjanY M. Application of nonlinear fluid-structure interactionmethods to seismic analysis of anchored and unanchored tanks[J]. Engineering Sreuctures, 2010, 32: 409-423.