Determining the load-bearing capacity of a tank with wall deformation defects

Abstract

This paper tackles the problem of determining the load-bearing capacity of the wall of a vertical steel cylindrical tank in the presence of shape defects. The aim of this study is to present a methodology for calculating the strength and stability of the tank wall, making it accessible to a broad audience of specialists. The novel approach combines a standard analytical method, as outlined in source, with a numerical method.  

This study utilizes classical methods of structural mechanics, existing analytical solutions, and numerical techniques, specifically the finite element method implemented in the ANSYS software package. The results demonstrate that the proposed combined methodology, which integrates both analytical and numerical methods, effectively addresses the issue of verifying the load-bearing capacity for both newly constructed and existing tanks.  

The approach presented in this article could serve to enhance current regulatory documentation concerning the evaluation of stress-strain states and technical conditions when geometric shape defects are present.