Civil Engineering Structural Calculation – Concrete Tanks

4. PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO CALCULATING CYLINDRICAL

REINFORCED CONCRETE TANKS

4.1 Principles applied to calculating cylindrical tanks

4.1.1. Wall movement and stress field

All the problems related to the symmetrical deformation of cylindrical circular shells integrate the
following equation:

𝑑2 𝑑2 𝜔 𝐸·ℎ
(𝐷 2 ) + 2 𝜔 = 𝑍
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑅

The simplest way to apply this equation is when the thickness “h” of the shell is constant, in
which case, the equation takes the following form:

𝑑4 𝜔(𝑥) 𝑍(𝑥)
4
+ 4𝜆4 𝜔(𝑥) =
𝑑𝑥 𝐷

Whereas:

ω(x): Radial shift law

λ: Constant called form cylindrical coefficient in m-1;

4 𝐸·𝐻 4 3 · (1 − 𝜐 2 )
𝜆=√ = √
4 · 𝑅2 · 𝐷 𝑅 2 · ℎ2

With:

E: Modulus of longitudinal deformation of concrete in N/mm2;

3
𝐸 = 8500 · √(𝑓𝑐𝑘 + 8)

h: Wall thickness

R: Inner radius of the tank.

𝜐: Poisson’s ratio (0,20 in concrete)

𝐸·ℎ 3
D: Shell bending stiffness in N.m; 𝐷 = 12·(1−𝜈2 )

Z(x): Revolution pressure on the wall.

The general solution to the equation is:

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𝜔(𝑥) = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶2 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶3 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶4 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥)

Where C1, C2, C3 and C4 are integration constants that depend on contour conditions, and f(x)
is a particular solution that, when Z(x) is a rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal law, its value is:
𝑍(𝑥)·𝑅2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐸·ℎ
; and in the case of :

−𝛾𝑤 ·(𝐻𝑤 −𝑥)·𝑅2

▪ Hyperstatic thrust: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐸·ℎ

𝜙
−𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − )·(𝐻𝑡 −𝑥)·𝑅2
▪ Earth pressure: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝐸·ℎ

Once the radial shift law becomes known ω(x), it is possible to determine θx(x), and the stress
law in the shells by means of the following expressions:

In the case of the Hydrostatic thrust (water level Hω coincides with the wall’s total height
H):

𝑑𝑤(𝑥)
𝜃(𝑥) = = 𝐶1 · 𝜆 · 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) − sin(𝜆𝑥)) + 𝐶2 · 𝜆 · 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥)) + 𝐶3 · 𝜆 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2
· (− cos(𝜆𝑥) − sin(𝜆𝑥)) + 𝐶4 · 𝜆 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) − sin(𝜆𝑥)) +
𝐸·ℎ
−𝐸 · ℎ · 𝑤(𝑥)
𝑁𝜑 (𝑥) =
𝑅

−𝐸 · ℎ
=( ) [𝐶1 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶2 𝑒 𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶3 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥) + 𝐶4 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥)
𝑅

𝜙
−𝛾𝑡 · 𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − 2 ) · (𝐻𝑡 − 𝑥) · 𝑅 2
+ ]
𝐸·ℎ

Mx(x), Mφ(x) and Qx(x) will share the same expression as that of the Hydrostatic thrust case, all
this with the sign convention shown in figure 2.

On the other hand, in the case of the water level, or that of the ground when below the top of
the wall, the problem becomes more complicated with the solution of a 10-equation–1- unknown
linear system.

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Figure 3. The stresses that act on a shell with revolution symmetry and the criterion of the adopted sign convention.

4.1.2. Calculating concrete tank walls in tensile Ultimate Limit State

To calculate the stresses that the wall of a cylindrical tank requires, the first step is to integrate
constants C1, C2, C3 and C4, which depend on contour conditions. This first step leads to a
linear system of four equations with four unknowns. Next, the values obtained in the equations
of the previous section must be substituted.

Now, in some practical cases the resolution of the problem can be simplified by making
constants C1 and C2 null. This will be possible only when wall thickness is small compared to
both the radius and the height of the tank, and the shell may be considered to be infinitely long.
However, there is not yet a clear boundary that allows us to know in which cases this
simplification with negligible errors is possible, and in which cases it is convenient not to do it.

In addition, by assuming that the lower edge of the wall is embedded in an absolutely rigid
foundation, which is usual in reinforced concrete tanks, the other two constants are:

▪ In the case of hydrostatic thrust:

𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 · 𝐻𝑤
𝐶3 =
𝐸·ℎ

𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 1
𝐶4 = · (𝐻𝑤 − )
𝐸·ℎ 𝜆

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▪ In the case of earth pressure:

𝜙
−𝛾𝑡 · 𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − 2 ) · 𝑅 2 · 𝐻𝑡
𝐶3 =
𝐸·ℎ
𝜙
𝛾𝑡 · 𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ) · 𝑅 2 1
𝐶4 = 2 · ( − 𝐻𝑡 )
𝐸·ℎ 𝜆

Determining the bending moment

On the one hand, to resolve the first combination of actions C1: 1,50x (Hydrostatic thrust), the
law applicable to bending moments and constants C3 and C4 can be used by calculating the
following elements:

ℎ2 · 𝜆2 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 1
𝑀𝑥𝑑 (𝑥) = 1,50 · 2
· (−𝐻𝑤 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · sin(𝜆𝑥) + (𝐻𝑤 − ) · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥))
6 · (1 − 𝜐 ) 𝜆

And their maximum value is generated at the embedding, and it is:

ℎ2 · 𝜆2 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 1
𝑀𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑀𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,50 · 2
· (𝐻𝑤 − )
6 · (1 − 𝜐 ) 𝜆

On the other hand, to resolve the second combination C2: 1,60x (earth pressure), a similar
procedure is applied:
𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆2 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2 1
𝑀𝑥𝑑 (𝑥) = 1,60 · 2
6·(1−𝜐 )
·(−𝐻𝑡 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · sin(𝜆𝑥) + (𝜆 − 𝐻𝑡 ) · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · cos(𝜆𝑥))

And their maximum value is generated at the embedding, and it is:

𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆2 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2 1
𝑀𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑀𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,60 · 6·(1−𝜐2 )
·(𝜆 − 𝐻𝑡 )

Calculating bending reinforcements

In order to know the bending reinforcement in the vertical position, the envelope of the law
applied to vertical bending moments on the inner face must be calculated at the union of
combinations C1 and C2 (given that both can leave a part of their law on the inner side) and use
the equations (provided by the different values of Mxd(x), to calculate the necessary
reinforcement Av1 with the rectangle-parabola method.

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To calculate the bending reinforcement in the external vertical position, the envelope of the law
applied to vertical bending moments on the outer face must be calculated at the union of
combinations C1 and C2 (given that both can leave a part of their law on the outer side), and
use the same equations provided by the different values of Mxd(x), to calculate the necessary
reinforcement Av3 with the rectangle-parabola method.

4.1.3. Calculating tank walls in bending Ultimate Limit State

Determining the shear stress

To solve the first combination of actions C1: 1,50x (Hydrostatic thrust), the shear stress law and
constants C3 y C4 can be used:

Qxd(x) = 1,50·Qx(x) =

ℎ2 · 𝜆3 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅2 1
= 1,50 · · (−𝐻𝑤 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (− cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥) + ( − 𝐻𝑤 ) · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥))
6 · (1 − 𝜐 2 ) 𝜆

The maximum value at the embedding point is:

ℎ2 · 𝜆3 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 1
𝑄𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,50 · · ( − 2𝐻𝑤 )
6 · (1 − 𝜐 2 ) 𝜆

To solve the second combination of actions C2: 1,60x (Earth pressure), proceed as follows:
𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆3 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2 1
Qxd(x) = 1,60·Qx(x) =1,60 · 6·(1−𝜐2 )
·(−𝐻𝑡 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) − sin(𝜆𝑥) + (𝐻𝑡 − 𝜆) ·

𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥)))

The maximum value at the embedding point is:

𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆3 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2 1
𝑄𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,60 · 6·(1−𝜐2 )
·(2𝐻𝑡 − 𝜆)

Calculating shear reinforcements

In the case of cylindrical tanks, the criterion to be applied will be that the maximum shear stress
may be absorbed by the contribution of concrete Vcu, with which the use of burrs will be
necessary, in addition to reducing wall thickness.

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4.1.4. Calculating tank walls in single traction Ultimate Limit State

The objective is to solve the single traction Ultimate Limit State found in combination C3: 1,00x
(Hydrostatic thrust).

In order to apply the tensile stress law and constants C3 and C4 that we already know, proceed
as follows:

𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜆𝑥)
𝑁𝜑𝑑 (𝑥) = 1,00 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 · [𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · ( − 𝐻𝑤 · (cos (𝜆𝑥) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜆𝑥))) + (𝐻𝑤 − 𝑥)]
𝜆

Note that the tensile stress value is null at the embedding point, while in general, the maximum
value will be somewhat lower than the tank’s wall.

By applying a steel tension value of σs = 100 o 130 N/mm2, the reinforcement will be:

𝑁𝜑𝑑
𝐴ℎ1 =
𝜎𝑠

4.1.5. Verifying tank walls in cracking Serviceability Limit State

The objective is to solve the Serviceability Limit State according to combinations C4: 1,00x
(Hydrostatic thrust) y C5: 1,00x (Earth pressure). For the combination of actions C4: 1,00x
(Hydrostatic thrust) the same vertical bending moments obtained in combination C1 will be
used, except this time, no factoring will take place.

Likewise, to solve action combinations C5: 1,00x (earth pressure), the unmagnified vertical
bending moments from the C2 combination can be used.

On the one hand, in order to calculate the cracking reinforcement in an internal vertical position,
first obtain the reinforcement Av2 that is necessary for the envelope, from the law applied to
internal vertical bending at the joining point between combinations C4 and C5, to produce a
crack opening wk ≤ 0,2 or 0,1 mm in accordance with the adopted cracking criteria.

On the other hand, to calculate the cracking reinforcement in an external vertical position, first
obtain the reinforcement Av4 that is necessary for the envelope, from the law applied to external
vertical bending at the joining point between combinations C4 and C5, to produce a crack
opening wk ≤ 0,2 or 0,1 in accordance with the adopted cracking criteria.

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4.1.6. Reinforcement arrangement on concrete tank walls

Wall reinforcement in interior vertical position

▪ The reinforcement necessary for bending is Av1.

▪ With reinforcement Av2 , a crack opening wk ≤ 0,2 or 0,1 mm is guaranteed in
accordance with the adopted cracking criterion.
▪ The minimum reinforcement Avmin1 meets the established quantity requirement of
𝜌𝑚í𝑛,𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑖ó𝑛 = 0,0015 ó 0,0020 in accordance with the adopted cracking criterion.

Thus, the vertical reinforcement that must be placed on the exterior will be max
(𝐴𝑣1 ; 𝐴𝑣2 ; 𝐴𝑣𝑚í𝑛1).

Wall reinforcement in exterior vertical position

▪ The reinforcement necessary for bending is Av3.

▪ With reinforcement Av4 a crack opening wk ≤ 0,2 or 0,1 mm. is guaranteed in
accordance with the adopted cracking criterion.
▪ The minimum reinforcement Avmin2 meets the established quantity requirement of
𝜌𝑚í𝑛,𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑖ó𝑛 = 0,0015 ó 0,0020 in accordance with the adopted cracking criterion. .

Thus, the vertical reinforcement that must be placed on the exterior will be max
(𝐴𝑣3 ; 𝐴𝑣4 ; 𝐴𝑣𝑚í𝑛2).

Wall reinforcement in interior horizontal position

▪ The reinforcement necessary for single traction is Ah1.

▪ The minimum reinforcement Ahmin1 meets the established quantity requirement of 𝜌𝑚í𝑛
= 0,0015 ó 0,0020 in accordance with the adopted cracking criterion.

Thus, the horizontal reinforcement that must be placed on the interior will be max (𝐴ℎ1 /
2; 𝐴𝑣4 ; 𝐴ℎ𝑚í𝑛1).

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Wall reinforcement in exterior horizontal position

▪ The reinforcement necessary for single traction is Ah1.

▪ The minimum reinforcement Ahmin2 meets the established quantity requirement of 𝜌𝑚í𝑛
= 0,0015 ó 0,0020 in accordance with the adopted cracking criterion.

Thus, like in the previous case, the horizontal reinforcement that must be placed on the exterior
will be max (𝐴ℎ1 /2; 𝐴𝑣4; 𝐴ℎ𝑚í𝑛2).

Wall reinforcement in exterior horizontal position

Wall thickness will be defined in a way that the shear stress values 𝑄𝑥𝑑 (𝑥), which is provided by
the previous two equations (also shown below), will be less than the contribution of concrete in
order to avoid using burrs.

▪ 1 st equation :

Qxd(x) = 1,50·Qx(x) =

ℎ2 · 𝜆3 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅2 1
= 1,50 · · (−𝐻𝑤 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (− cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥) + ( − 𝐻𝑤 ) · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥))
6 · (1 − 𝜐 2 ) 𝜆

And their maximum value is generated at the embedding, and it is:

ℎ2 · 𝜆3 · 𝛾𝑤 · 𝑅 2 1
𝑄𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,50 · · ( − 2𝐻𝑤 )
6 · (1 − 𝜐 2 ) 𝜆

▪ And the 2nd equation:

𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆3 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2
Qxd(x) = 1,60·Qx(x) =1,60 · 6·(1−𝜐2 )
·(−𝐻𝑡 · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) − sin(𝜆𝑥) +
1
(𝐻𝑡 − 𝜆) · 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 · (cos(𝜆𝑥) + sin(𝜆𝑥)))

And the maximum value produced at embedding is:

𝜙
ℎ 2 ·𝜆3 ·𝛾𝑡 ·𝑡𝑔2 (45𝑜 − ⁄2)·𝑅2 1
𝑄𝑥𝑑𝑚á𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥𝑑 (𝑥 = 0) = 1,60 · 6·(1−𝜐2 )
·(2𝐻𝑡 − 𝜆)

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