Deformation and Stress Prediction of Tank under Uneven Settlement

Abstract The differential settlement of crude oil tank foundations can lead to deformation and stress concentration, posing significant risks to the safe operation of storage tanks. This study developed a finite element model for a large crude oil storage tank subjected to harmonic settlement to address the issue of non-uniform settlement around the tank. The model systematically varied the tank’s diameter-to-thickness ratio, height-to-diameter ratio, and the wind beam’s relative bending stiffness. The research examined the impact of these three factors on the maximum dimensionless radial displacement at the tank top and the maximum equivalent stress at the tank bottom. A predictive method was proposed for estimating the radial displacement at the tank top and the equivalent stress at the tank bottom under uneven settlement, offering valuable insights for assessing the integrity of large tanks in such conditions.