Large Amplitude Settlements of Oil Storage Tanks

The measured profile of large-amplitude settlements of an oil storage tank was analyzed by the finite element method. Both geometric and material nonlinearities were included in the finite element analysis. Stresses and deformations, based on available qualification criteria, were examined. The results showed that most criteria in use today for the tank shell and the bottom plate are overly conservative. The calculated response of the existing operational tank under the measured large-amplitude settlements confirmed such an observation