Strength Investigation of Petroleum Storage Tank Structure Under Hydrostatic Load Using Finite Element Method
Ilham Akbar Adi Satriya (*), Raden Wibawa Purabaya (**), Fadilah Hasim (***)

National Laboratory for Aerodynamics, Aeroelastics, and Aeroacoustics Technology, Agency for The Assessment and Application of Technology
Kawasan PUSPIPTEK, Gd. 240, Tangerang Selatan 15314, Indonesia
*ilham.akbar[at]bppt.go.id
**wibawa.purabaya[at]bppt.go.id
***fadilah.hasim[at]bppt.go.id


Abstract

This paper reports the strength investigation of a petroleum storage tank structure under hydrostatic load using the finite element method.
A premium storage tank has been built in an oil refinery complex. The tank diameter is 40730 mm with a wall height of 16460 mm. The tank is designed to keep the petroleum liquid until a level of 14503 mm. The wall of the tank is consists of several ring-shaped course plates made of steel plates that are formed by a welding process. The first course plate or course 1 is attached to the base. Course 2 then is welded above course 1, continued by course 3, 4, and so on until there were 7 ring-shaped course plates formed the wall of the tank.
Once the tank is completed then water is pumped into it and tested by loading it with water until the level of HHLL (High-High-Liquid Level). The tank kept the water for a couple of days as a functional test. Measurement and observation then were carried out after having pumped out the water and the tank become empty. The measurement was focused on the diameter and observation was to the foundation of the tank. The tank was found to be deformed and showed deviation from a perfect circle. On the other hand, there were also some settlements of foundation detected near the tank^s bottom edges.
Due to this fact, this paper presents the results of the finite element analysis of the storage tank structure using the finite element method after deformed by a functional test. The analysis was carried out to see the effect of stress and deformation on changes in tank shape and settlement of the foundation (tank base). Furthermore, the factor of safety will be calculated by comparing the properties of the material with the maximum stress that occurs in the structure. The structure will be said to be safe if the value of the factor of safety is more than one.

Keywords: Storage load- Petroleum tank- Hydrostatic- Finite element method.

Topic: Symposium on Advance of Sustainable Engineering

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