Seismic Vulnerability Analyses of Steel Storage Tanks in an Oil Refinery Complex Using Dynamic Analyses

Abstract eng:
Cylindrical steel above ground tanks extensively used in oil refinery complexes and oil depots in Iran. Average capacity of this kind of tanks is about 20,000 kl with diameter of about 40 m and height of about 14 meter. Past earthquake experiences in Japan, U.S. and turkey show that these tanks are very vulnerable to strong ground motions. Failure modes such as settlement, shell buckling, Roof Damage and overturning are the main causes of extensive material leakage and fire immediately after an earthquake. In this paper 181 tanks in an oil refinery complex are categorized into 30 types in order to seismic vulnerability evaluation and retrofit design. International documented references such as new revisions of API650 and ASCE standards and Finite Element Method is used in this study. Important parameters such as Liquid sloshing, tank bottom uplift and liquid-shell interaction considered in dynamic analyses. Site-specific spectrum, as well as site compatible earthquake records considered as input motions. The results show that about 60 percent of the existing tanks are vulnerable and require retrofitting or strengthening.

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