Eq04 PDF

Document No. :: IITK-GSDMA-EQ04-V1.
0
Final Report :: A - Earthquake Codes
IITK-GSDMA Project on Building Codes
Review of Code Provisions on Seismic

Analysis of Liquid Storage Tanks
by
Dr. O. R. Jaiswal
Department of Applied Mechanics
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Nagpur
Dr. Durgesh C Rai

Dr. Sudhir K Jain
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Kanpur
Review of Seismic Analysis of Liquid Storage Tanks
Review of Code Provisions on

Seismic Analysis of Liquid Storage Tanks
Abstract
In the first part of this paper (Jaiswal, et. al., 2003), provisions from various
international codes on design seismic forces for liquid storage tanks were reviewed.
This paper reviews provisions related with the analysis and modeling aspects. These
aspects include mechanical analogue of tank, time period of lateral and vertical mode
of vibration, hydrodynamic pressure distribution, sloshing wave height, soil-structure
interaction etc. The codes reviewed are: ACI 350.3, AWWA standards, API 650, NZSEE
guidelines and Eurocode 8. It is noted that all the codes use mechanical analogues to
evaluate hydrodynamic forces, particularly due to lateral base excitation. The
provisions on inclusion of effect of vertical excitation are not covered in all codes.
Provisions of soil-structure interaction, buried tanks, flexibility of piping are either not
addressed or are given in only qualitative terms. A brief description on limitations in
Indian code is also presented.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the first part of this paper (Jaiswal et. al., 2003) provisions on design
seismic forces for liquid storage tanks from various international codes were
reviewed. In this paper, provisions related with the analysis and modeling of
tanks are being considered. Seismic analysis of liquid storage tanks requires
special considerations. These special considerations account for the
hydrodynamic forces exerted by the fluid on tank wall. Knowledge of these
hydrodynamic forces is essential in the seismic design of tanks. Evaluation of
hydrodynamic forces requires suitable modeling and dynamic analysis of tank-
liquid system, which is rather complex. However, availability of mechanical
models (analogues) of tanks has considerably simplified the analysis. These
mechanical models, convert the tank-liquid system into an equivalent spring-
mass system. Design codes use these mechanical models to evaluate seismic
response of tanks. While using such an approach, various other parameters
also get associated with the analysis. Some of these parameters are: Pressure
distribution on tank wall due to lateral and vertical base excitation, time period
of tank in lateral and vertical mode, effect of soil-structure interaction and
IITK-GSDMA-EQ04-V1.0 2
maximum sloshing wave height. Design Codes have provisions with varying
degree of details to suitably evaluate these parameters.
In this paper, provisions given in various codes on seismic analysis of
tanks are reviewed. Codes considered are: ACI 350.3, AWWA D-100, AWWA
D-110, API 650, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines. The review will in
particular focus on following aspects:
i) Mechanical model and its parameters
ii) Hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral and vertical excitation
iii) Time period of tank in lateral and vertical mode
iv) Effect of soil flexibility
2. REVIEW OF CODAL PROVISIONS

Provisions given in ACI 350.3, AWWA D-100, AWWA D-110, API 650,
Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines will be reviewed. It may be noted that some
of these codes deal with only specific types of tanks. Table 1 provides details of
types of tanks considered in each of these codes. It is seen that ground
supported tanks are either fixed at base or rest on flexible base. The type of
flexible base used and its description varies from code to code.
2.1 Mechanical models

As explained earlier, a mechanical model replaces the tank-liquid
system by a spring-mass system, which considerably simplifies the evaluation
of hydrodynamic forces. In these mechanical models it is recognized that
vibrating fluid inside the container has two components, one that moves in
unison with the tank (called impulsive component) and another one which
undergoes sloshing motion (called convective component). Figure 1
schematically demonstrates such a mechanical model. Various quantities
associated with a mechanical model are: impulsive mass (Mi), convective mass
(Mc), height of impulsive mass (hi), height of convective mass (hc) and
convective mode time period (Tc). It may be noted that heights hi and hc are
used when base pressure is not considered. If base pressure is included then
corresponding heights are denoted by h’i and h’c respectively.
Historically, mechanical models were first developed for tanks with

rigid walls. Housner (1963) was perhaps the first to propose such a mechanical
model for circular and rectangular rigid tanks (Figure 1). Wozniak and Mitchell
(1978) have generalized the Housner’s model for short and slender tanks.
Veletsos and Yang (1977) have used a different approach to arrive at a similar
type of mechanical model for circular rigid tanks. Subsequently, Haroun and
Housner (1981) and Veletsos (1984) have developed mechanical models for
flexible tanks. Malhotra et. al. (2000) have further simplified the flexible tank
model of Veletsos (1984). In Figure 3a to 3d a comparison of various
parameters of rigid and flexible tank models is shown. In these figures, results
obtained from Wozniak and Mitchell (1978) and Veletsos and Yang (1977) (i.e.
rigid tank models) are plotted along with those of Malhotra et. al. (2000) (i.e.
flexible tank model). It is seen that there is no significant difference in the
results obtained from rigid and flexible tank models. Veletsos (1984) has also
made similar observation while comparing the rigid and flexible tank models.
Various codes use one or the other mechanical models described above.
ACI 350.3, AWWA D-100, AWWA D-110 and API 650 use mechanical model of
Housner (1963) with modifications of Wozniak and Mitchell (1978). AWWA D-
100 and API 650 deal with circular steel tanks, which are flexible tanks.
However, since there is no appreciable difference in the parameters of
mechanical models of rigid and flexible tank models, these codes evaluate
parameters of impulsive and convective modes from rigid tank models. ACI
350.3 also mentions parameters of mechanical model for rectangular tanks.
NZSEE guidelines (Priestley et. al. (1986)) use mechanical model of
Veletsos and Yang (1977) for rigid circular tanks and that of Haroun and
Housner (1981) for flexible tanks. For rigid rectangular tanks, it suggests use of
rigid circular tank model wherein, radius is replaced by half length of tank. It
states that in most cases, such an approximation for rectangular tanks is
expected to give base shears within 15% of values from more exact theory. For
flexible rectangular tanks, it suggests the same procedure as that of rigid
rectangular tanks. This document also suggests procedure for evaluating
impulsive and mechanical mass of horizontal circular cylindrical tanks, which

is based on work of Wrner and Sundquist (1949).
Eurocode 8 mentions mechanical model of Veletsos and Yang (1977) as
an acceptable procedure for rigid circular tanks. For flexible circular tanks,
models of Veletsos (1984) and Haroun and Housner (1981) are described along
with the procedure of Malhotra et. al. (2000). For rigid rectangular tanks it
suggests model of Housner (1963). The procedure given in NZSEE guidelines is
also described in Eurocode 8 for evaluating impulsive and convective mass of
horizontal circular tank.
An important point while using a mechanical model pertains to
combination rule used for adding the impulsive and convective forces. Except
Eurocode 8, all the codes suggest SRSS (square root of sum of square) rule to
combine impulsive and convective forces. Eurocode 8 suggests use of absolute
summation rule. For evaluating the impulsive force, mass of tank wall and roof
is also considered along with impulsive fluid mass. ACI 350.3 and Eurocode 8
suggest a reduction factor to suitably reduce the mass of tank wall. Such a
reduction factor was suggested by Veletsos (1984) to compensate the
conservativeness in the evaluation of impulsive force.
2.2 Time period of impulsive mode

Impulsive mode refers to lateral mode of tank-liquid system. Lateral
seismic force on tank depends on the impulsive mode time period. Time period
of tank-fluid system depends on the flexibility of support also. Table 2 gives
details of the expressions used in various codes to evaluate the impulsive mode
time period.
For fixed base circular tanks, ACI 350.3 uses formula given by Veletsos
(1984), whereas NZSEE guidelines have adopted the formula from Haroun and
Housner (1981). Eurocode 8 has followed the expression given by Sakai et. al.
(1984). Eurocode 8 also gives the expression suggested by Malhotra et. al.
(2000) for evaluation of impulsive mode time period. AWWA D-100 and API
650 prescribe a constant value of design spectral acceleration and hence
impulsive time period is not needed in these codes. AWWA D-110 and D-115
do not give explicit expression for evaluation of impulsive time period of fixed
base circular tanks, however, they specify an upper limit of 0.3 sec on their
time period.
It may be noted that in the expression from ACI 350.3, mass density of
tank wall is used. Whereas, in the expressions from NZSEE guidelines and
Eurocode 8, mass density of fluid is used. In this context, it may be mentioned
that time period of tank-fluid system depends on mass of wall as well as fluid.
However, recognizing the fact that mass of the wall is usually quite small as
compared to fluid mass, certain approximations are made and mass of the wall
is neglected. This point has been explained by Haroun and Housner (1981) and
also by Veletsos (1984). Since ACI 350.3 deals with concrete tanks, wherein
mass of tank may not always be very small compared to fluid mass, the
expression in terms of mass density of wall is retained. Whereas, NZSEE
guidelines and Eurocode 8 have converted the expression in terms of liquid
mass density.
Since the expressions from NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8 are in
terms of identical parameters, a comparison of results obtained from them can
be made. For this purpose, expressions from NZSEE and Eurocode 8 are recast
in a common form as shown in Table 3. In this table expression given by
Malhotra et. al. (2000) is also included. It may be recalled here that Eurocode 8
has also described the procedure suggested by Malhotra et. al. (2000). In figure
4, variation of impulsive time period coefficient, Ci , with h/R is plotted. It is
seen that results obtained from these expressions match reasonably well.
For circular tanks resting on flexible base, the expressions for impulsive
time period given in ACI 350.3 and AWWA D-110 are identical. No other code
has provision for flexibly supported circular tanks. It may be noted that when
on flexible supports, tanks are considered as rigid mass, and stiffness is
contributed by the supports. Rectangular tanks with fixed base are considered
in ACI 350.3, NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8 which provide identical
expression for their impulsive time period. Rectangular tanks resting on
flexible base are not described in any of the codes.
2.3 Hydrodynamic pressure distribution due to lateral excitation

Stresses in the tank wall depend on distribution of hydrodynamic
pressure along the wall height. Housner (1963) had derived the expressions for
distribution of hydrodynamic pressure on a rigid tank wall due to lateral base
excitation. Impulsive as well as convective components of hydrodynamic
pressure were considered. Veletsos (1984) has also obtained the distribution of
hydrodynamic pressure on rigid as well as flexible wall. It may be mentioned
that flexibility of tank wall does not influence the convective hydrostatic
pressure. However, it does affects the impulsive hydrodynamic pressure
distribution, particularly for the slender tanks. Evaluation of impulsive
pressure distribution in flexible tanks is quite involved and can be done only
through iterative procedures (Veletsos, 1984).
Expressions for distribution of impulsive and connective hydrodynamic
pressure from various codes are given in Table 4. All the codes use pressure
distribution of rigid tanks. AWWA D-100 and D-103 provide expressions of
Housner (1963) to obtain distribution of impulsive and convective
hydrodynamic pressure. AWWA D-110 and D-115 has also suggested use of
Housner’s approach. ACI 350.3 has provided equivalent linear distribution of
impulsive and convective hydrodynamic pressure. This linear distribution is
taken from NZS 3206 (1986). NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8 use approach
of Veletsos (1984) to get hydrodynamic pressure distribution in circular tanks.
Expressions for hydrodynamic pressure distribution in rectangular tanks are
provided in ACI 350.3. NZSEE guidelines also have provisions for evaluation
of hydrodynamic pressure in rectangular tanks. NZSEE guidelines have
provision for hydrodynamic pressure on base of tank also.
2.4 Response to vertical base excitation

Under the influence of vertical excitation, liquid exerts axisymmetric
hydrodynamic pressure on tank wall. Knowledge of this pressure is essential
in properly assessing the safety and strength of tank wall against buckling. In
all the codes effect of vertical acceleration is considered only for circular tanks,
and there are no provisions on rectangular tanks. Response to vertical
excitation is mainly governed by the time period of fundamental breathing

mode or axisymmetric mode of vibration of tank-liquid system. It may be
noted that this mode is for the case of circular tanks only. Expression for exact
time period of axisymmetric mode of a circular tank is quite involved.
However, considering certain approximations like, mass of tank wall is quite
small as compared to fluid mass, some simple closed form expressions have
been given by Veletsos (1984) and Haroun and Tayel (1985).
Other than API 650, all codes do have provisions to consider tank
response under vertical excitation. Expressions for time period of vertical mode
(axisymmetric breathing mode), from various codes are given in Table 5. These
expressions refer to circular tanks only. Eurocode 8 has used expression from
Haroun and Tayel (1985). ACI 350.3 and AWWA D-110 suggest simpler
expression. Luft (1984) has described that such a simpler formula is good
approximation for tall tanks. NZSEE guidelines have used formula given by
Veletsos (1984), wherein values of coefficient Kv are given in graphical form. A
comparison of variation of time period of vertical mode with h/R as obtained
from ACI 350.3, NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8 is shown in Figure 5. It is
noted that as per simplified formula of ACI 350.3, time period is independent
of h/R and results of ACI 350.3 match well with those of Eurocode 8 for tall
tanks. Further it is noted that NZSEE results are on higher side for tanks with
large values of thickness to radius ratio(t/R). It may be noted that there is no
information about breathing mode time period of rectangular tanks.
Distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical excitation also
gets influenced by wall flexibility. For tanks with rigid wall, it is linearly
distributed i.e. hydrodynamic pressure is distributed same as hydrostatic
pressure. From the expressions given in Table 6, it is seen that ACI 350.3 and
NZSEE guidelines use linear pressure distribution for flexible tanks, i.e. effect
of wall flexibility on distribution is not considered. This approach was
suggested by Veletsos (1984). Eurocode 8 however, has incorporated the effect
of wall flexibility on distribution of hydrodynamic pressure. For flexible tanks,
total pressure is sum of rigid component and a flexible component. AWWA D-
100 & D-103 consider the response due to vertical acceleration in empirical
fashion. It suggests that maximum value of hydrodynamic pressure should not
be less than 75% of that due to lateral excitation. Similar empirical
approximation is given in AWWA D-110 &D-115, wherein for different zones,
maximum value of hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical excitation is given in
terms of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral excitation. With this type of
empirical approach, AWWA Standards do not require information on time
period of breathing mode.
2.5 Sloshing wave height

The sloshing component of liquid mass undergoes vertical displacement
and it is necessary to provide suitable free board to prevent spilling of liquid.
All the codes, except API 650, give explicit expressions to evaluate maximum
sloshing wave height. These expressions are given in Table 7. Further, it may
be mentioned that NZSEE guidelines considers contribution of higher sloshing
modes also. ACI 350.3 and Eurocode 8 suggest higher of wave height.
2.6 Soil structure interaction

Provisions for consideration of soil-structure interaction are provided
only in NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8. First provision pertains to influence
of soil flexibility on time period of tank. Expressions for time period of lateral
and vertical mode of tank, including the effect of soil flexibility are provided.
These expressions are taken from Veletsos (1984). Secondly, inclusion of soil
also increases the damping of the structure. Expressions are also provided for
equivalent damping of tank-fluid-soil system.
2.7 Other provisions

Apart from the major issues discussed in previous sections, these codes
have also provided provisions on some other aspects though with varying
degree of details. All the codes mention that piping attached to tanks should
have sufficient flexibility to not to induce large stresses at the joints between
the tank and pipe. No quantitative specification is provided on flexibility of
piping. However, Eurocode 8 mentions that minimum value of imposed
relative displacement between the tank and the first anchoring point of piping
can be assumed as Δ = γI x dg/500; where, x is the distance between the
anchoring point and the point of connection with the tank; dg is the maximum
soil displacement; and γI is the importance factor.
ACI 350.3 and NZSEE guidelines mention about buried or underground
tanks. ACI 350.3 suggests use of higher values of response reduction factor for
buried tanks. This implies that design earthquake forces for buried tanks will
be lower than those for above ground tanks. ACI 350.3 has not given any
specific guideline for evaluating dynamic earth pressure. NZSEE guideline
provides expressions for evaluating soil pressure, which varies linearly along
the wall height.
Anchorage requirements for ground supported tanks and other
complications involved in unanchored tanks are described in NZSEE
guidelines and Eurocode 8.
For elevated tanks, AWWA D-100 suggests that convective mode need
not be considered. However, ACI 350.3, NZSEE guideline and Eurocode 8
recommend consideration of convective mode. It may be noted that for
elevated tanks, the impulsive mode is governed by the flexibility of supporting
tower. NZSEE guidelines suggest that for elevated tanks also, impulsive and
convective modes can be treated independently. Other codes have explicitly
not stated such an approach for elevated tanks.
3. PROVISIONS OF IS CODES
Indian Standard IS:1893-1984 provides guidelines for earthquake
resistant design of several types of structures including liquid storage tanks.
This standard is under revision and in the revised form it has been divided into
five parts. First part IS:1893(Part 1): 2002, which deals with the general
guidelines and provisions for buildings has already been published. Second
part, yet to be published, will deal with the provisions for liquid storage tanks.
IS 1893-1984 has provisions for elevated tanks only, it does not have any
provision for ground supported tanks. In the analysis of elevated tanks, the
sloshing or convective component is not considered. These limitations in the

provisions of IS 1893-1984 have been discussed by Jain and Medhekar (1993a,
1993b). They have also suggested a set of modifications to be incorporated in
the provisions of IS 1893-1984, on seismic analysis of tanks. Their suggestions
were mainly focused on inclusion of convective component in the analysis of
tanks. They suggested separate mechanical models for rigid and flexible tanks.
Model of Haroun and Housner (19841) is used for flexible tank and approach
of Veletsos and Yang (1984) is used for rigid tank. Impulsive mass calculation
suggested by Jain and Medhekar (1993a, 1993b) is along similar lines as that of
NZSEE guidelines (Priestley, 1986). Jain and Medhekar (1993a, 1993b) did not
provide any suggestion on response due to vertical excitation. Sloshing wave
height expression is also not included.
4. DISCUSSION
Presence of hydrodynamic forces requires special considerations in the
seismic analysis of liquid storage tanks. Invariably all the codes use mechanical
models (analogues) to evaluate hydrodynamic forces. These mechanical
models evaluate impulsive and convective masses, time period of impulsive
and convective modes of vibrations, hydrodynamic pressure distribution and
sloshing wave height. It is noted that separate mechanical models are available
for tanks with rigid and flexible walls. Rigid tank models are much simpler
than flexible tank models. As far as evaluation of impulsive and convective
mass is concerned, there is no significant difference in the values obtained from
rigid and flexible tank models (Figures 3a to 3d). Recognizing this fact, all the
American codes, viz. ACI 350.3,API 650, AWWA D-100, D-110 use rigid tank
models to evaluate impulsive and convective mass in all types of tanks. Time
period of tank-fluid system, for which close form expressions are available,
depends on tank flexibility. Such an approach makes these American codes
much simpler as compared to Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines. In Eurocode
8 and NZSEE guidelines, separate mechanical models are used for obtaining
impulsive mass of rigid and flexible tanks. However, Eurocode 8 does mention
about procedure of Malhotra et. al. (2000), which is common for tanks with
rigid and flexible tanks.
It is also interesting to note that API 650 and AWWA D-100 which deal
with ground supported circular steel tanks, recommend a constant value of
design spectral acceleration for all types of tanks. Hence in these codes there is
no need to evaluate time period of tank.
The type of base on which tank is resting influences the time period of
tank. Some of the codes deal with tanks with different types of base supports.
For example, ACI 350.3, AWWA D-100 and AWWA D-110 mention about
anchored, unanchored, flexible and unconstrained type of base supports.
Whereas, API 650, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines do not describe such base
supports. Similarly it is noted that rectangular tanks are considered only in
ACI 350.3, NZSEE guidelines and Eurocode 8.
Provisions on response to vertical base excitation have been given with
varying degree of details. All the AWWA codes, specify the maximum value of
hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical excitation in term of fraction of those
due to lateral excitation. However, ACI 350.3, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE
guidelines provide more rational approach for evaluating hydrodynamic
pressure due to vertical excitation. They suggest evaluation of time period of
breathing mode of vibration (axisymmetric mode), based on which design
acceleration value can be obtained. Distribution of hydrodynamic pressure
along the tank height is also provided in these codes. It is noted that Eurocode
8 has provisions to consider the influence of wall flexibility on hydrodynamic
pressure due to vertical excitation. API 650 does not have any provisions to
consider effect of vertical base excitation.
Except API 650, all codes have provisions to evaluate maximum sloshing
wave height. NZSEE guidelines suggest consideration of higher convective
mode while evaluating sloshing wave heights. All other codes consider only
first sloshing mode. Eurocode 8 and ACI 350.3 mention higher values of
sloshing wave height (Table 7).
As far as elevated tanks are concerned, AWWA D-100 does not

recommend consideration of convective mode in the analysis of elevated tanks.
However, ACI 350.3, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines do recommend
consideration of convective mode in the analysis of elevated tanks. It may be
mentioned here that ACI 371 which exclusively deals pedestal supported
elevated tanks also mentions that convective mode need not be considered if
fluid weight is more than 80% of total weight of tank. NZSEE guidelines also
suggest that for elevated tanks, impulsive mode, which is largely governed by
the flexibility of supporting tower, and convective mode can be treated
independently.
Indian code IS 1893-1984 is quite ill equipped to provide any suitable
seismic analysis of liquid storage tank. It has no provision for tanks resting on
ground. The provision on elevated tank also does not considered convective
mode of vibration. Recognizing these limitations Jain and Medhekar (1993a,
1993b) have given a set of suggestion to modify IS1893-1984. They have largely
followed the approach of NZSEE guidelines and have suggested use of
separate mechanical models for rigid and flexible tanks. Further, Jain and
Medhekar (1993a, 1993b) have not given any provision for response due to
vertical excitation. Expression for sloshing wave height is also not given by
them. The review presented in this paper will be helpful in further improving
the suggestions of Jain and Medhekar (1993a, 1993b).
5. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Review of various codes revealed that ACI 350.3 which is the most
recent code, is quite comprehensive and simple to use. In this code parameters
of mechanical model are evaluated using rigid tank model. The flexibility of
tank is considered in the evaluation of impulsive time period. In contrast to
this, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines use separate models to find parameters
of rigid and flexible tanks. Such an approach makes these codes more
cumbersome to use, without achieving any significant improvements in the
values of parameters. Effect of vertical ground acceleration is considered in
various codes with varying degree of details. In AWWA codes, hydrodynamic

pressure due to vertical acceleration is taken as a fraction of that due to lateral
acceleration. ACI 350.3, Eurocode 8 and NZSEE guidelines suggest more
rational approach to obtain hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical
acceleration, which is evaluated based on time period of breathing mode of
vibration. All the codes suggest, quite similar expressions for evaluating
maximum sloshing wave height.
For Indian code IS 1893, the provisions for seismic analysis of tanks
suggested by Jain and Medhekar (1994a, 1994b), need to be modified. These
modifications are particularly needed to include simplified mechanical models
for flexible tanks, to include the effect of vertical acceleration, and to include
simple expressions for sloshing wave height.
Acknowledgements
This work has been supported through a project entitled Review of
Building Codes and Preparation of Commentary and Handbooks awarded to IIT
Kanpur by the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA),
Gandhinagar through World Bank finances. The views and opinions expressed
therein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the GSDMA or the
World Bank.
References
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Institute Standard, Washington D. C.
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committee for Standardization, Brussels.
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JaiswalO.R., Rai,D.C., and Jain,S.K., 2003, “Codal provisions on seismic design
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of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 110, No. 4, 706-714.
Malhotra,P.K., Wenk,T., and Wieland,M., 2000, “Simple procedure for seismic
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Priestley,M.J.N.,et.al., 1986, “Seismic design of storage tanks”,
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Sakai,F., Ogawa,H. and Isoe,A., 1984, “Horizontal, vertical and rocking fluid
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Table 1: Types of tanks considered in various codes

Code Types of tanks
ACI 350.3 • Ground supported circular and rectangular concrete
tanks with fixed and flexible base.
• Pedestal supported elevated tanks.
AWWA D- • Ground supported steel tanks with fixed and flexible
100 & D-103 base.
• Elevated steel tanks with braced frame and pedestal type
supporting tower.
AWWA D- • Ground supported prestressed concrete tanks with fixed
110 & D-115 and flexible base.
API 650 • Ground supported steel petroleum tanks (Types of base
support are not described).
NZSEE • Ground supported circular and rectangular tanks with
Guidelines fixed and flexible base.
• Elevated tanks.
Eurocode 8 • Ground supported circular and rectangular tanks with
fixed base.
• Elevated tanks.
Table 2: Expressions for impulsive time period given in various codes

Type of Reference Expression
tank
ACI 350.3 0.628h ρc / E
Ti = ; Cw is a coefficient given as
Cw t / R
function of h/R in graphical form.
AWWA Impulsive natural period is not required in
Circular D-100 and D-103 the analysis.
tanks with
AWWA D-110 Expression not given. However, natural
fixed base and D-115 period should not be less than 0.3s.
API 650 Expression is not required in the analysis.
NZSEE 5.61πh ρ / E
Guidelines T i= ; Kh is function of h/R and
Kh
t/R to be obtained from given graphs.
Eurocode 8 2R ρh
Ti = ;
Ci Et
Ci =0.01675(h/R)2-0.15(h/R)+0.46
ACI 350.3 8π(Ww + WR + Wi )
Circular Ti =
gDk p
tanks with
AWWA Impulsive time period is not required in the
flexible
D-100 and D-103 analysis.
base
AWWA D-110 8π(Ww + WR + Wi )
and D-115 Ti = ; Ti >1.0 sec for
gDk
tanks with anchored flexible base; Ti >2.0 for
tanks with unanchored unconstrained
flexible base.
API 650
NZSEE No expressions are given
Eurocode 8
ACI 350.3 Ti = 2π ( Wi + Ww ) /(gk ) ;
k = flexural stiffness of tank wall
Rectangular AWWA
tanks with D-100 and D-103
fixed base. AWWA D-110
No expressions are given
and D-115
API 650
NZSEE Ti = 2π d / g ; d = deflection of wall due to a

Eurocode 8 uniformly distributed load of magnitude q =
mf g/4Bh
ρc = mass density of wall, ρ = mass density of fluid, E = Modulus of elasticity of tank wall, t =
thickness of wall, R = radius of tank, D = diameter of tank, WW = Weight of wall; WR= Weight
of roof; Wi = Weight of impulsive fluid; kp = flexibility of base pad. mf =Impulsive mass of
fluid; B=Length of rectangular tank; h=Height of fluid; g=Acceleration due to gravity.
Table 3: Recast expressions for fundamental time period of fixed-base flexible

circular tank
Reference Expression for the fundamental natural period (S)
H ρ
Ti = C i
E t/R
Eurocode 8 2
Ci =
[
h / R 0.46 − 0.15h / R + 0.017(h / R ) 2 ]
NZSEE 5.6π t / R
Guidelines Ci = ;
Kh
Values of Kh are given in graphical form for various values of
h/R and t/R
Malhotra Values of Ci are given in tabular form as a function of h/R
(2000)
ρ = mass density of fluid; E = Young’s modulus of tank material; t = thickness of tank shell;
R = radius of tank
Table 4: Expressions for distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral

excitation given in various codes
Distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral excitation
ACI 350.3
• Circular tanks: • Rectangular tanks:
Impulsive pressure Impulsive pressure
⎡ 4h − 6h i − ⎤ ⎡ 4h − 6h i
Pi = 0.58A i γ tanh(1.732R / h) ⎢ ⎥ Pi = 0.58A i γ tanh(1.732L / h) ⎢
⎣(6h − 12h i )y / h ⎦ ⎣(6h − 12
Convective pressure Convective pressure

Pc = 0.4A c γ (R / h) 2 tanh(1.732h / R) Pc = 0.132A c γ (L / h) 2 tanh(1.732h / L)
[ 4h − 6h i − (6h − 12h i )y / h ] [ 4h − 6h i − (6h − 12h i )y / h ]
y=Liquid level at which wall is y =Liquid level at which wall is
investigated measured from base investigated measured from base
AWWA D-100 & D-103
Impulsive pressure Convective pressure
For h/R ≤1.5 ⎛ 1.84(h − y
cosh ⎜
⎡ y / h − ⎤ ⎝ R
Pi = 42.8A i γh tanh(1.732R / h) ⎢ 2⎥
Pc = 132.4A c γh(R / h)
⎣0.5(y / h) ⎦ cosh(1.84h / R
for y/R < 1.5
y =Liquid level at which wall is
= 26.4A i γh(R / h) for y/R > 1.5 investigated
measured from top surface.
For h/R > 1.5
⎡ y /(1.5R) − ⎤
Pi = 52.6A i γh(R / h) ⎢ 2⎥
⎢⎣0.5{ y /(1.5R)} ⎥⎦
y =Liquid level at which wall is
investigated measured from top surface.
AWWA D-110 & D-115
Expressions for distribution of pressure are not given, however, it is
mentioned that this distribution should be as per Housner (1963).
API 650
Distribution of hydrodynamic pressure is not considered.
NZSEE Guidelines
Explicit expressions are not given, however graphically distribution of
hydrodynamic pressure is shown. These graphs are given for circular as well
as rectangular tanks. Distribution for circular tank is taken from Veletsos
(1984).
Eurocode 8
Expressions from Veletsos (1984) are given.
Ai = Impulsive acceleration; Ac=Convective acceleration;γ = Specific weight of fluid;
h = Design depth of stored liquid; R=Radius of tank; hi = Height of impulsive lateral force;
hc= Height of convective lateral force ; L = Half the length of rectangular tank.
Table 5: Expressions for time period of vertical mode given in various codes
Code Time period of vertical mode
ACI 350.3 ⎛ 2 ⎞⎛ ρ⎞
Tv = ⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ πh E ⎟⎟
⎝ t / R ⎠⎝ ⎠
AWWA D- Evaluation of vertical time period is not described.
100 & D-103
AWWA D- ⎛ 2 ⎞⎛ ρ⎞
110 & D-115 Tv = ⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ πh E ⎟⎟
⎝ t / R ⎠⎝ ⎠
API 650 Evaluation of vertical time period is not described.
NZSEE ⎛ 5.61πh ρ ⎞
Guidelines Tv = ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎝ KV E ⎟⎠
Kv is given in graphical form as a function of h/R and t/R
Eurocode 8 ⎛ 8(1 − ν 2 )I 0 (λ ) ⎞⎟ ρ
⎜
Tv = ⎜ ⎟πh ; Io, I1 are respectively modified
⎜ π( t / R )(h / R )I1 (λ ) ⎟ E
⎝ ⎠
Bessel’s functions of order 0 and 1; λ = (πR/2h).
t = Average wall thickness ; R =Radius of tank; E =Modulus of elasticity of material;
ρ = Specific weight of liquid.
Table 6: Expressions for distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral

excitation given in various codes
Code Distribution of hydrodynamic pressure
due to vertical excitation
ACI 350.3 Pv = A i γhb(1 − y / h)
b = ratio of vertical and horizontal acceleration, b should not
be less than 2/3.
AWWA Distribution is not described. It is mentioned that maximum
D-100 and value of hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical excitation
D-103 should not be less than 3/4th of horizontal excitation.
AWWA Distribution is not described. Lower bound limit on value of
D-110 and maximum hydrodynamic pressure due to vertical excitation
D-115 is described. This limit is in terms of values of pressure due
to horizontal excitation.
API 650 Distribution is not described.
NZSEE Pv = A i γh(1 − y / h)
Guidelines
Eurocode 8 For rigid tanks: Pv = A i γh(1 − y / h)
For flexible tanks:
⎛π ⎞
Pv = A i γh(1 − y / h) + 0.815A i γh cos ⎜ [1 − y / h] ⎟ f (h / R)
⎝2 ⎠
f(h/R) = 1.078 + 0.274 ln(y/h) for 0.8 < h/R < 4.0
= 1.0 for h/R < 0.8
y =Liquid level at which wall is investigated measured from base ;h =Height of liquid surface;
γ=Specific weight of liquid; Ai = Impulsive acceleration.
Table 7: Expressions for maximum sloshing wave height given in various

codes
Code Sloshing wave height
ACI 350.3 AcR
AWWA D-100 & D-103 0.84 AcR
AWWA D-110 & D-115 AcR
API 650 Not mentioned
NZSEE Guidelines 0.84 AcR (Considering only first mode)
Eurocode 8 0.84AcR
Ac = Convective acceleration; R = Radius of tank
Mc
Kc/2 Kc/2
h h
hc
(hc∋
Mi
hi
(hi∋ )
R or L
Figure 1: Description of tank dimensions and mechanical model
Mc
Kc
hc
Mi
Ki hi
Figure 2: Mechanical models for flexible circular tanks (Malhotra et. al., 2000)
Mi / M
Mc/M
Mi / M
Mc/M
Veletsos et.al.(1977)
0.5 Wozniak et.al.(1978)
Malhotra et.al.(2000)
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
h/R
(a)
5
4 Wozniak et.al.(1978)
hi’/h Malhotra et.al.(2000)

3
hi/h
1 hi/h
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
h/R
(b)
Figure 3: Comparison of (a) impulsive and convective masses, and (b)
impulsive heights
4
Mi / MWozniak et.al.(1978)
Mhc/M
c’/h Malhotra et.al.(2000)
3
2
hc/h
1
0
0 0.5 1 h/R 1.5 2 2.5 3
(c)
5
Wozniak
4
et.al.(1978)
Malhotra
et.al.(2000)
3
0.5
tc/R
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
h/R
(d)
Figure 3: Continued… Comparison of (c) convective heights, and (d)
convective time period
10
Eurocode8
Ci
NZSEE guidelines(1986)
Malhotra et.al.(2000)
0
0 1 h/R 2 3
Figure 4: Comparison of lateral time period coefficient
NZSEEguidelines
100
Eurocode8
ACI 350.3 &AWWA D-

80 t/R = 0.001 110
60
Tv / πh(ρ/E)0.5
t/R = 0.01
40
20
0
0 1 h/R 2 3
Figure 5: Comparison of vertical time period coefficient

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Document No. :: IITK-GSDMA-EQ04-V1.

Review of Code Provisions on Seismic

Dr. Durgesh C Rai

Review of Code Provisions on

2. REVIEW OF CODAL PROVISIONS

2.1 Mechanical models

Historically, mechanical models were first developed for tanks with

impulsive and mechanical mass of horizontal circular cylindrical tanks, which

2.2 Time period of impulsive mode

2.3 Hydrodynamic pressure distribution due to lateral excitation

2.4 Response to vertical base excitation

excitation is mainly governed by the time period of fundamental breathing

2.5 Sloshing wave height

2.6 Soil structure interaction

2.7 Other provisions

sloshing or convective component is not considered. These limitations in the

As far as elevated tanks are concerned, AWWA D-100 does not

various codes with varying degree of details. In AWWA codes, hydrodynamic

Eurocode 8, 1998, “Design provisions for earthquake resistance of structures,

Handbook, Eds.Beskos,D.E. and Anagnastoppoulos, Computational

Table 1: Types of tanks considered in various codes

Table 2: Expressions for impulsive time period given in various codes

NZSEE Ti = 2π d / g ; d = deflection of wall due to a

Table 3: Recast expressions for fundamental time period of fixed-base flexible

Table 4: Expressions for distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral

Convective pressure Convective pressure

Table 6: Expressions for distribution of hydrodynamic pressure due to lateral

Table 7: Expressions for maximum sloshing wave height given in various

Figure 1: Description of tank dimensions and mechanical model

0.5 Wozniak et.al.(1978)

hi’/h Malhotra et.al.(2000)

Figure 4: Comparison of lateral time period coefficient

ACI 350.3 &AWWA D-

Figure 5: Comparison of vertical time period coefficient

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