Storage Tank and Pipeline

Oral

1049 - Probabilistic Modeling Of Aboveground Storage Tanks Under Surge And Wave Impacts

Presenting Author(s)

• 

  Carl Bernier, MSc

  Graduate Research Assistant
  Rice University

Additional Author (s)

• JP

  Jamie Padgett, Ph.D.

  Assistant Professor
  Rice University

This paper presents the development of probabilistic models to evaluate the performance of a typical AST under surge and wave loads. Two failure modes are considered: flotation of the AST and buckling of the tank shell. First, surge and wave parameters are extracted from numerical simulations of hurricanes along the Texas Gulf Coast. Next, a series of three-dimensional finite element analyses are performed to compute the hydrodynamic forces and pressure distributions acting on the AST. Finally, with the surge and wave loads, the stability of the AST to flotation and buckling is assessed and fragility models are developed.