ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SINGLE DECK FLOATING ROOFS IN

ABOVEGROUND CYLINDRICAL STEEL TANKS WITH LARGE DIAMETER

Dr. eng. Svetoslav Rusev
M. Sc. eng. Lyubomir Zdravkov
Conference of IASS, VARNA, 2006
The floating roofs of vertical cylindrical steel tanks are most wide-spread constructive solution for
decrease of the loss when volatile oil products are stored in the tanks. They can be used in the open on
top tanks and also to be situated inside in the tanks with fixed roof (so called internal floating roofs).
1. Introduction
The main advantages of the tanks with floating roof are as follow:
- minimizing losses of the stored product. These losses are due to the product evaporation;
- minimizing the zone occupied by the mixture of vapor and air which decrease the corrosion in the
upper courses of the shell [5];
- decrease the fire risk of the tank, which is the result of the decreased evaporation of the volatile
stuff, and decreased risk from the creation of the mixture with the air that can explode;
- in the comparison with the tanks with fixed roof, area to foam extinguishing inside the tanks with
floating roof is smaller (fig. 2), it allows to put there fire fighting system with smaller capacity and its
pipes to be with smaller diameter [4];
- the floating roof do not almost transfer the vertical /axes/ efforts to the shell. The risk of loss of
stability is diminished.
The appropriate determination of the type of the roof and its equipment can provide with easy
maintenance and quick return of investments. The factors which influence of construction of the tank
and the type of the floating roof are:
- characteristics of the stored product;
- climate and constructive conditions on the site;
- volume of the stored product;
- requirements for the tank facility as a storage vessel.
2. Single deck roof
The single deck floating roof is a most wide-spread constructive solution for floating roofs. It is due
to well known and tested during the time calculation and construction methodology, (buoyancy is
included here) and its easy way to erection.
A principal scheme of this type of floating roofs is showed on fig. 1.

fig. 1 Single deck floating roof with rim of pontoons

2.1 Area of use [1]:
- in sites where wind pressure is small and where it is not possible to tear the membrane from the
product;
- when the stored products have small vapor pressure;
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- in the region with low sun activity where the low membrane temperature allows to decrease of
product evaporation ;
- more often in the tanks that have a diameter D 50 m.
Advantages:
- they are a simple construction which can be easily prefabricated and erected;
- there is a low waste of metal for an unit covered surface;
- they do not need complementary facilities for erection;
-weld joints in space have a small volume.
Disadvantages:
- increased deformation of the membrane which can lead to destruction of weld joints caused by
fatigue;
- there are many deviation from the projected shape on the central part which are an obstacle the
drain of the water toward the roof drain;
- difficulties in execution of the membrane according to its projected form /inclination toward the
roof drain/.
2.2 Determined subordinations
Unfortunately there are many lacks and vacancies in the concrete specificity of the design of floating
roofs. The firms methodology is not published because of the commercial reasons. In the available
normative documents (for example [7], [8] u [9]), are mentioned only the most common requirements .
When the program ELEMAPI had been elaborated for calculations of AST elements, a successful
attempt for ascertaining of several subordinations was done, it concerns especially the main dimensions
of the floating roofs. [6].
For convenience two new quantities can be introduced in advance with symbols on fig. 2:
D Dp
(1)
Pt =
[m] distance between the tank shell and pontoon;
2
D p Dm
Bp =
[m] radial width of the pontoon.
(2)
2

fig. 2 Basic dimensions of shell and pontoon

Due to some normative documents, though they do not consist a lot of information, through the
expression (1) and (2), we can find the main dimension of the pontoons. According to [7], the pontoon
of the floating roof must has a radius smaller than the tank radius with min 200 mm, Pt 0,2 m. In [6]
this instruction was complementary differentiated and subordinated by diameter D of the tank.
Functional subordination between D and Pt represented in the table:
Table 1
D [m]
Pt [m]

12
0,15

12 64
0,20

64 75
0,25

> 75
0,30

As far as it is given for each tank (or calculated from its volume V) almost tank diameter D, the
calculated approximate subordinations for given parameter Z are:
(3)
Z = Z (D )
So with Pt according to the Table 1 and (1) calculated diameter of the floating roof Dp is:
D p = D 2.Pt [m]
(1)
Before to proceed to the concrete relations we will look at the accepted manner of their calculation.
Based on one side of many articles for executed floating roofs (for example [1], [3] and [10]), and on
the other side using our own rich and long experience in design and manufacturing in field of tank
construction we have enough detailed data base. This data base was considered as completely full and
confidential especially in field of single deck floating roofs. In order to avoid the possible deviations,
peculiar for the accepted approximation approach, in State owned company KZU was elaborated
special program for calculation APROXIMA N * . It operates with 7 possible approximate relations
and classifies automatically the first two of them. It operates at minimum with 3 couples independent
variable values entered as entrance information. As a result of the executed statistical data processing
with this Program for main parameters of floating roofs was obtained the following relations (3):
1
(4)
Bp =
[ m]
a+b
Bp
hp =
[ m]
(5)
3
Bp hp
hm =
=
[ m]
(6)
6
2
Dm = D p 2 B p [ m]
(7)
Analogical relations were calculated for dimensions and weights of all constructive elements of
floating roof roof supports, foam dam, antirotation device, seal of roof.
3. Stiffening of the membrane
For the conditions in Bulgaria where wind and snow pressures, and sun activity are not so big the
main problem with the single deck floating roof is deformation of the membrane. It is considered as
main restriction for use of such type of construction in the tanks with a diameter D > 50 m. In order to
increase their use it is necessary to take additional constructive solutions. The practice is accepted the
project solutions as follow:
- additional stiffening girders;
- additional central pontoon;
- combination of the two above mentioned solutions.
3.1 Additional stiffening girders
When the stiffening girders are put double effect could be reach:
- decrease of vibration and deformation of the central part of the roof;
- mounting of enough tall girders which are fully connected with stiff ring in the center , separates
the membrane on smaller sections and this prevent the overflow of the product in the whole roof if there
is a hole in the membrane. When this solution is used it is necessary that every section has its own water
drain which through the pipes under the roof is connected with roof drain pipe the in the center.
) radial stiffening girders
The roofs with stiffened membrane through radial girders are used in the Netherlands, Germany,
Austria and the USA. The kind of all this girders and their connecting depends on diameter of the tank.
Type of stiffening girders could be:
- girders from steel sheets. It can be complementary cold formed for bigger stiffness. It is used for
tanks with smaller diameters;

Computer specialist eng. . , Record of State company KZU

- girders from the hot rolled sections. There could be used angle, channel and wide flange sections
there. They can be easy mounted on membrane.
- perforated steel sheets or girders with an hole in the web. They can be made with increased
constructive height and corrosion protection became more difficult;
- box girders. They usually are used in the tanks with bigger dimensions. When the box have enough
big section it is possible to decrease the dimensions of the pontoons because this box girders assure
complementary floatation of the roof when there is some liquid upon it, i.e. they are additional
pontoons.
The location of the radial girders upon the roof can be different. Several constructive solutions are
shown on fig. 3:

fig. 3 Location of the radial stiffening girders on the membrane

- girders which are not connected between them. It is usually used when the girders are made from
steel sheets. They can be connected to the pontoons but can also be at some distance from them;
- girders connected through the central ring. When this solution is used almost always the girders are
connected to the pontoons and work together with them. The central ring can be shaped as cylinder
toward which the girders are butt connected or to be cut in shape of plate disk that lies upon the girders.
If the girders are enough high upon the membrane and central ring is formed as cylinder there can be
formed separated sections on membrane;
- unconnected and dislocated between them girders. The stiffening membrane girders are 0,25.Dm
long. Due to this construction roof is stiffened but works as free membrane. It is impossible to make
separate sections upon the central part;
b) stiffening girders as rings
The ring shaped stiffening girders are put under the membrane according to the scheme (fig. 4):

fig. 4 Location of ring shaped stiffening girders under the membrane

In Poland [10] are constructed many tanks with volume V=50 000 m3, which roofs are stiffened with
stiffening rings which dimensions are L100x100x10 mm. During the executed measurements done on
site for determining the deflection in the center of membrane, this way of stiffening showed very good
effectiveness.
The disadvantage of this way of stiffening is that the girders must be put under the membrane. It
causes :
- all weld joints are executed on the ceiling position;
- an impossibility for formation of the smaller sections on the membrane;
c) radial located girders and girders in circular location
When the ring shaped and radial girders are used metal and labor consumption is bigger, but
naturally the membrane is most resistant to deformation.
3.2 Additional central pontoon on membrane
The use of this constructive solution aims double effect:
- the weight of the pontoon located in the membrane center (fig. 5) facilitates to put and keep the
membrane in its projected position;
- the central pontoon is hollow and assures additional buoyancy of the roof. This allows decreasing
of dimensions of the pontoons in the periphery.

fig. 5 Single deck roof with pontoons in periphery and one central pontoon
Field of use:
- in the regions with high wind pressure, where it is possible to tear the membrane from the pontoon
and it must be prevented;
- when the sheet rolls are used in the central part and we want that the central part is stretched;
- most often when the tank has diameter D > 50 m.
Advantages:
- improved geometrical form of the central part;
- higher ability to floatation of the roof in case of membrane cutting;
- simple construction for execution erecting and maintaining;
- relatively small metal consumption for one unit covered surface .
Disadvantages:
-complicated device for water draining.
Design of central pontoon, as additional constructive solution, for single deck floating roof required
an adequate research. As a result, using [10], for diameter of the central pontoon Dc, we can use these
relations:

(8)

Dc = 0,3.D

D = 16 30 m

Dc = 0,2.D

D = 30 50 m

Dc = 0,1.D

D > 50 m

The height of the central pontoon is hc = 0,5 m = const, and its value does not depend on the pontoon
diameter D.
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The dimensions of the main pontoons located in the periphery can be decreased in comparison with
the dimensions calculated for one deck roof (4) (7), as follows:
c
(9)
B p = B p
[m]
D
1
c
hp = d [m]
(10)
2
D
2
hm = hp [m]
(11)
3
In formulas (4), (9) and (10) coefficients a, b, c, d are calculated by APROXIMA-N. In this case for
increased membrane diameter D'm, by analogy with (7), but with new radial width of the pontoons
according to (9), we have the following expression:
Dm = D p 2.B p [m]
(12)
All ascertained through statistical research approximate relations (1) (12), can be compared with
the dimensions of the central and periphery pontoons in the tank with nominal volume V = 80000 m3
and diameter D = 73 m, shown on fig. 7. The comparison is represented in Table 2 and there are shown
the estimated differences between calculated values with APROXIMA-N and design solution /
according to their absolute value in percent/.
TABLE 2
Z [m]
Zc
( )
Zp
[m]
[%]

Pt
0,25
table. 1
0,25
0
0

Bp
3,95
(4)
B

Bp
3,61
(9)
3,80
- 0,19
- 5,000

Dc
7,30
(8)
7,70
- 0,40
- 5,195

Hp
0,9768
(10)
0,96
+ 0,0168
+ 1,750

Hm
0,6512
(11)
0,65
+ 0,0012
+ 0,185

Dm
65,28
(12)
64,90
+ 0,38
+ 0,585

Note: Zc is the sign for calculating values according to the relevant formulas, which is mentioned
in the line below ( ). Zp is the sign for the values accepted in the tank project fig. 7.

On TABLE 2 it is shown that the reduction of the radial width of the periphery pontoon when there
is a central one is equal to: = Bp B'p = 3,95-3,61=0,34m.
When the tank diameter is big (D = 73 m) this reduction together with decreased heights h'p and h'm,
undoubtedly will lead to the considerable safe from the weight of the pontoon which safe exceeds the
increased membrane weight.
It is shown that the differences between the calculated values and design values of the relevant
parameters do not exceed 0,4 t. This differences represented in percent are up to 5 %.
4. Executed additional constructive solutions
4.1 Membrane stiffening with radial girders
In 2005 on sites Palogue and Al-Jabalayn, in Sudan, were erected two big group of tanks with
different use and volume. Seven of which, with capacity of every one V = 52000 m3 and diameter D =
60 m, have single deck floating roof.
The increased dimensions of the floating roofs imposed the additional membrane stiffening. The idea
to put radial girders which are with different length was accepted (fig. 6). One half from these girders
reach the center and the rest of them reach one quarter of the membrane diameter Dm.

fig. 6 Stiffening of membrane with radial girders, Sudan

4.2 Membrane stiffening with central pontoon
In 1994 year, according to the project of NOELL company, KZU Holding erected a tank with
diameter D = 76 m and volume V = 80000m3 in Germany. It is a storage vessel with single deck
floating roof. Because the tank has large diemeter, the membrane is stiffened with central pontoon. As
additional mean to decrease roof deformations, 90 mm high steel girders from sheets were welded to
the lap joints of the sheets in the central part, under roof.

fig. 7 Single deck floating roof with central pontoon, Germany

5. Research and results
Membrane of single deck floating roof could be stiffened in some ways. For determination of the
effectiveness of every constructive solution were created and analyzed different models.
The research of possibility for deformation of the membrane is carried out under the following
conditions:
) general conditions for all researches:
- different models are 3-dimensioned and were created with software SAP 2000 v.9;
- membrane diameter Dm = 30 70 m;
- initial membrane slope i = 00;
- membrane thickness t = 5 mm;
- material for membrane steel 3 ( R yn = 225MPa) ;

- tank is filled with water ( = 10 kN/m3 );

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- pressure upon membrane:

Its own weight of the construction g;
Water column upon the membrane which height is h = 250 mm, i. . the pressure is w = 2,5 kN/m2 ;
Steam pressure upon the membrane p = 1,0 kN/m2 .
b) membrane stiffened with radial located girders (fig. 8)
- the girders have section IPE200 and are located between 200 ;
- the one end of the girders is at 1 m from the roof pontoon and the other reaches the conditional ring
in the center which diameter is d = 0,2.Dm;

fig. 8 Membrane stiffening with radial girders

c) membrane stiffening with central pontoon (fig. 9)
- central pontoon diameter d = 0,2.Dm;
- central pontoon height hp = 0,5 m;
- thickness of the sheets of the central pontoon tp = 5 mm;
- the central pontoon does not have any holes and there is not water inside it.

fig. 9 Membrane stiffening with central pontoon

d) membrane stiffened with radial located girders and central pontoon (fig. 10)
The conditions are the same as in b) and c).

fig. 10 Membrane stiffened with radial located girders and central pontoon
The purpose of the carried out research is to ascertain the deviation of the center of membrane with
the different types of stiffening.
The results are shown in Table 3:
TABLE 3
1. Single deck floating roof without reinforcement

sinking f, m
self weight g
water w + g
vapour pressure p + g
g and water below
w + g and water below

30
-0,173
-0,496
0,065
-0,041
-0,277

Diameter of membrane, D [m]

40
50
60
-0,281
-0,379
-0,483
-0,807
-1,087
-1,387
0,106
0,143
0,182
-0,041
-0,041
-0,041
-0,302
-0,302
-0,302

70
-0,594
-1,703
0,223
-0,041
-0,302

2. Single deck floating roof with radial girders

sinking f, m
self weight g
water w + g
vapour pressure p + g
g and water below
w + g and water below

30
-0,197
-0,542
0,058
-0,047
-0,283

Diameter of membrane, D [m]

40
50
60
-0,286
-0,383
-0,488
-0,796
-1,072
-1,371
0,090
0,125
0,163
-0,041
-0,041
-0,041
-0,302
-0,302
-0,302

70
-0,598
-1,685
0,203
-0,041
-0,302

3. Single deck floating roof with central pontoon

sinking f, m
self weight g
water w + g
vapour pressure p + g
g and water below
w + g and water below

30
-0,183
-0,477
0,051
-0,062
-0,218

Diameter of membrane, D [m]

40
50
60
-0,2669
-0,360
-0,457
-0,699
-0,941
-1,199
0,076
0,101
0,130
-0,064
-0,067
-0,069
-0,231
-0,230
-0,224

70
-0,551
-1,425
0,153
-0,072
-0,212

4. Single deck floating roof with central pontoon and radial girders

sinking f, m
self weight g
water w + g
vapour pressure p + g
g and water below
w + g and water below

30
-0,183
-0,469
0,040
-0,070
-0,257

Diameter of membrane, D [m]

40
50
60
-0,267
-0,360
-0,457
-0,689
-0,928
-1,184
0,064
0,088
0,115
-0,067
-0,068
-0,069
-0,254
-0,242
-0,231

70
-0,547
-1,403
0,137
-0,070
-0,217

Relations between deflection of the central part of the membrane and different types of its stiffening
is shown on fig. 11 fig. 13:
Sinking of membrane due to its own weight
0,000
-0,010

30

40

50

60

70

Membrane

Sinking, m

-0,020
Central pontoon

-0,030
-0,040

Radial girders

-0,050
-0,060

Central pontoon and

radial girders

-0,070
-0,080
Diameter of membrane D, m

fig. 11 Sinking of the central part of the membrane in the liquid due to its own weight
Sinking of membrane due to its own weight
and water above
Membrane

0,000

Sinking, m

-0,050

30

40

50

60

70
Central pontoon

-0,100
-0,150

Radial girders

-0,200
-0,250

Central pontoon and

radial girders

-0,300
-0,350
Diameter of membrane D, m

fig. 12 Sinking of the central part of the membrane in the liquid due to its own weight and 250 mm
water upon it
Uplift of membrane due to vapour pressure
0,250

Membrane

Uplift, m

0,200
Central pontoon

0,150
0,100

Radial girders

0,050

Central pontoon and

radial girders

0,000
30

40

50

60

70

Diameter of membrane D, m

fig. 13 Sinking of the central part of the membrane caused by vapour pressure
6. Conclusions
- the sinking of the unstiffened membrane when loads are its own weight g and/ or water w has a
constant value;

10

- the sinking of the membrane stiffened with radial girders IPE 200, when loads are its own weight g
and/or water w , with diameter D 40 m, has constant value;
- practically the sinking of the membrane is the same nevertheless it is unstiffened or radial girders
are put on it;
- the sinking of the membrane stiffened with central pontoon when loads are its own weight g and
water w , in comparison with the others constructive solutions, is the smallest. It is due to the smaller
quantity of water on the roof;
- the rise of the membrane stiffened with central pontoon and radial girders from load is the
smallest in comparison with the others constructive solutions;
- unstiffened and stiffened with radial girders membranes have close values of the rise of its central
part caused by vapour pressure .
Literature:
1. , . ., , . ., .
( ), , 2000.
2. . ., ,
, . , . 5, 2003.
3. . ., , 1983.
4. 2, , , 1994.
5. . ., .,
, . , . 1, 1977.
6. . ., , .
ELEMAPI, , 2004.
7. , , 1988.
8. API Std 650, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, 2001.
9. BS 2654:1989, Manufacture of vertical steel welded non-refrigerated storage tanks with but
welded shells for the petroleum industry.
10. ZIOLKO J., Zbiorniki metalowe na cilncze i gazy, Arkady, Warszawa, 1986.

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