Buckling Analysis of Storage Tank under Tsunami Pressure

Abstract

The finite element method is applied to buckling analysis of cylindrical shells subjected to asymmetric external and axisymmetric internal liquid pressures. The axisymmetric shell element is used and the load distribution, prebuckling and buckling displacements are represented by Fourier series expansion in the circumferential angle. The approximate treatment of tsunami pressure acting on tanks is proposed and the accuracy of the treatment is investigated. The asymmetric analysis considering the above treatment and axisymmetric analysis and the previously proposed simplified equations are applied to the model storage tanks under tsunami and axisymmetric internal liquid pressures. The validity and effectiveness of the axisymmetric analysis and the simplified equations are demonstrated.