Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis

This research investigates the seismic behavior of rigid and flexible cylindrical steel tanks, focusing on tanks with an open top and fully anchored at the base. The primary objective is to evaluate the hydrodynamic pressures exerted by the fluid on the tank walls during seismic excitation. Three wi...

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Main Authors: Emanuele Brunesi, Roberto Nascimbene, Dumitru Beilic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/474
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author Emanuele Brunesi
Roberto Nascimbene
Dumitru Beilic
author_facet Emanuele Brunesi
Roberto Nascimbene
Dumitru Beilic
author_sort Emanuele Brunesi
collection DOAJ
description This research investigates the seismic behavior of rigid and flexible cylindrical steel tanks, focusing on tanks with an open top and fully anchored at the base. The primary objective is to evaluate the hydrodynamic pressures exerted by the fluid on the tank walls during seismic excitation. Three widely recognized design approaches—New Zealand NZSEE recommendations, European code UNI EN 1998-4:2006 (CEN, 2006), and American Water Works Association AWWA D100-05 standard (ANSI/AWWA, 2005)—were implemented and compared with high-definition finite element models and then validated against the experimental results. Nonlinear fluid–structure interaction (FSI) was modeled using an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation with the Navier–Stokes equations governing the fluid motion and material and geometric nonlinearities considered in the tank walls. Parametric analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of tank geometry, specifically height-to-radius and radius-to-thickness ratios, on seismic response, identifying a transition between rigid and flexible behavior. The study also examined the influence of seismic input using a set of ten displacement spectrum-compatible ground motions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the seismic resilience of cylindrical steel tanks, offering valuable insights for improving design standards and safety in earthquake-prone regions where these systems may abound.
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spelling doaj-art-5daa5365910b4c68a8eba24dd1b863552025-01-10T13:15:40ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115147410.3390/app15010474Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric AnalysisEmanuele Brunesi0Roberto Nascimbene1Dumitru Beilic2EUCENTRE, European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, ItalyIstituto Universitario di Studi Superiori IUSS—Department STS, Piazza della Vittoria n.15, 27100 Pavia, ItalyRose School, Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori IUSS, Piazza della Vittoria n.15, 27100 Pavia, ItalyThis research investigates the seismic behavior of rigid and flexible cylindrical steel tanks, focusing on tanks with an open top and fully anchored at the base. The primary objective is to evaluate the hydrodynamic pressures exerted by the fluid on the tank walls during seismic excitation. Three widely recognized design approaches—New Zealand NZSEE recommendations, European code UNI EN 1998-4:2006 (CEN, 2006), and American Water Works Association AWWA D100-05 standard (ANSI/AWWA, 2005)—were implemented and compared with high-definition finite element models and then validated against the experimental results. Nonlinear fluid–structure interaction (FSI) was modeled using an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation with the Navier–Stokes equations governing the fluid motion and material and geometric nonlinearities considered in the tank walls. Parametric analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of tank geometry, specifically height-to-radius and radius-to-thickness ratios, on seismic response, identifying a transition between rigid and flexible behavior. The study also examined the influence of seismic input using a set of ten displacement spectrum-compatible ground motions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the seismic resilience of cylindrical steel tanks, offering valuable insights for improving design standards and safety in earthquake-prone regions where these systems may abound.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/474seismic responsecylindrical steel tanksfluid–structure interaction (FSI)finite element modelinghydrodynamic pressuresloshing
spellingShingle Emanuele Brunesi
Roberto Nascimbene
Dumitru Beilic
Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
Applied Sciences
seismic response
cylindrical steel tanks
fluid–structure interaction (FSI)
finite element modeling
hydrodynamic pressure
sloshing
title Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
title_full Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
title_fullStr Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
title_short Understanding the Seismic Resilience of Metallic Cylindrical Tanks Through Parametric Analysis
title_sort understanding the seismic resilience of metallic cylindrical tanks through parametric analysis
topic seismic response
cylindrical steel tanks
fluid–structure interaction (FSI)
finite element modeling
hydrodynamic pressure
sloshing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/474
work_keys_str_mv AT emanuelebrunesi understandingtheseismicresilienceofmetalliccylindricaltanksthroughparametricanalysis
AT robertonascimbene understandingtheseismicresilienceofmetalliccylindricaltanksthroughparametricanalysis
AT dumitrubeilic understandingtheseismicresilienceofmetalliccylindricaltanksthroughparametricanalysis