Tank Foundations
Tank Foundations
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
PURPOSE
This practice establishes guidelines and recommended procedures for the design of tank
foundations.
SCOPE
This practice provides the following:
Special conditions which must be considered in foundation type selection and design.
APPLICATION
The types of storage tanks normally encountered in hydrocarbon, petrochemical, and
other industrial plants have cylindrical shells, essentially flat bottoms, and either cone
roofs or floating roofs. Tank size may range from 10 to over 200 feet in diameter, with
heights from 16 to 56 feet. Due to the wide variety of surface, subsurface, and climatic
conditions, it is impossible to specify one type of foundation or design procedure for all
storage tanks. Each case should be analyzed individually and a foundation designed to
meet those individual requirements.
TYPES OF
FOUNDATIONS
The types of foundations most commonly considered include the following:
The type of the foundation depends on design requirements, type of tank, tank
dimensions, soil and site conditions, environmental conditions, material availability, local
codes, and Client requirements. A number of other conditions, which may have a
significant impact in the foundation design, need to be considered for selection of the type
of foundation. They include the following:
Corrosion
Temperature fluctuations
Frost
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Proximity to slope
Use of sea water for compaction
GRANULAR RING
WALL
FOUNDATIONS
This is the most economical and common type of foundation used for storage tanks. This
type of tank foundation involves a ring wall of coarse granular material supporting the
tank shell with the tank bottom resting on compacted fill overlain by asphalt sand. Refer
to Civil Engineering Standard Drawings for typical details for storage tank foundations.
Tank sites where subsurface conditions and settlements are within acceptable limits.
Regions of low seismicity or in seismic areas where the tank diameter to height ratio
is such that there is no uplift of the tank shell or small sloshing effect. The magnitude
of lateral forces, overturning moments, and associated hydrodynamic mass must be
determined to assess their impact on tank shell and foundation design.
Leveling Ring
A concrete leveling ring can be used under the tank shell in the gravel ring wall
foundation. This leveling ring is 8 inches deep by 12 inches wide unreinforced concrete
whose primary function is to provide a stable level base upon which the fabricator can
build the tank shell wall. Additional advantages of the leveling ring are to distribute
concentrated shell loads on to the gravel ring wall and minimize edge settlement under
seismic condition.
Other Considerations
Special treatments due to project or environmental requirements.
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Practice 000 215 1226
Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
CONCRETE RING
WALL
FOUNDATIONS
This foundation is primarily used in areas or situations where the gravel ring wall is not
feasible. Refer to Civil Engineering Standard Drawings for typical details of storage tank
foundations. This would include the following:
In seismic areas where tank shell must be anchored to the foundation to provide uplift
resistance.
In areas with marginal soil conditions where releveling may be necessary due to
differential settlements.
CONCRETE MAT
FOUNDATIONS ON
GRADE
This foundation type is used primarily:
For small diameter tanks (12 feet or less) due to ease of construction.
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Practice 000 215 1226
Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
CONCRETE MAT
FOUNDATIONS ON
PILES
This foundation type is used in very poor soil conditions where either the allowable soil
bearing capacity is not adequate or the estimated settlements are more than the tank can
tolerate. Surcharging is commonly used in poor soil areas to improve the soils for
supporting tanks, but in many cases, sufficient time or the surcharge fill are not available.
In certain instances, settlement tolerances are very small due to the sensitive nature of the
stored materials or tank design which may require the tank to be supported on piles.
This type of foundation is generally not feasible for tanks over about 25 feet in diameter.
SPECIAL
CONDITIONS
Corrosion
Corrosion of the tank bottom plates and how to prevent it must be considered in the
design of the foundation system for storage tanks. There are several causes which can
initiate and accelerate corrosion of tank bottoms. Three of the primary causes are as
follows:
The principal cause is nonuniform support of the tank bottom. This may be the result
of warping of the bottom plates due to welding at the time of tank erection or point
loading caused by foreign matter under the tank bottom such as wood pieces, stones,
or excess sprayed asphalt that causes a lump on the surface of the support pad. This
nonuniform support with point contacts provides a starting point for corrosion to
develop under the tank. The presence of contaminants such as salts and moisture will
accelerate this process.
A second cause of corrosion is alternate wetting and drying in the presence of oxygen
and heat. This is generally the case for fuel tanks where temperature cycling of the
stored oil causes the tank base to breathe. A porous base contains ample water vapor
and oxygen and can cause great volumes of these gases to move back and forth
beneath the bottom plate. The tank bottom will be cooler at the edge than at the
center, and water vapor moving outward will condense near the edge. As the tank
cools, inflow of air will dry the steel. This alternate wetting and drying in the
presence of oxygen and heat provides an ideal condition for corrosion to occur. It is
clear that reduction in oxygen and moisture under the tank will minimize the
corrosion potential. Therefore, supporting the tank bottom on an oiled sand or
asphalt sand will minimize the supply of vapor and oxygen while protecting the plate
with a film of oil or asphalt.
Another case that could cause corrosion of tank bottoms is stray currents at the site
emanating from neighboring cathodically protected underground pipes and structures.
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Support pad should be constructed with salt free sand and be free of any foreign
matter and lumps.
Minimize the time that tank will remain empty on its foundation after erection. In
large projects, where construction schedules are long, effort should be made to at
least partially fill the tanks in order to seek full contact between the bottom and the
pad.
Where cathodic protection is adopted for the protection of tank bottoms, the system
should be energized as soon after completion of tank erection as possible.
Seal the foundation by using oil sand or asphalt sand layer under the plate to prevent
moisture and oxygen penetration under the bottom of the tank.
Frost
Three requirements must be satisfied simultaneously for frost heave to be a problem:
Freezing of in situ pore water causes a 9 percent volume change of the water. This
does not depend on the frost susceptibility of the soils. Assuming 100 percent
saturation of compacted gravel, the anticipated heave may be on the order of
2 percent of the thickness of the soils affected by freezing. If the degree of saturation
is less, the heave may not occur at all.
Ice lensing by water migration into frost susceptible soils. This heave may be as
much as 10 times greater than the heave caused by freezing of in situ moisture. This
is the portion of the heave which is eliminated by using nonfrost susceptible soils and
is the target of measures adopted to reduce frost heave.
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Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
The depth of frost penetration or thaw (for permafrost areas) depends on the air
temperature and the thermal conductivity of the materials. Gravels and crushed rock, the
commonly used ring wall and nonfrost susceptible materials, would generally be
subjected to increased depth of frost penetration than clayey or silty soils with vegetative
cover. In selecting the thickness of in situ materials to be removed and replaced with
nonfrost susceptible soils, this factor should be considered. The thickness of material
replaced should be sufficient to prevent frost penetration through the replaced material
into underlying frost susceptible materials. This thickness may be greater than the depth
of frost penetration into natural silty or clayey soils.
The draining of the granular nonfrost susceptible material, although desirable, may not be
necessary considering the cost involved and its potential impact on frost heave. Special
measures for drainage (other than normal drainage of the area) may not be warranted by
the frost heave considerations. Refer to Civil Engineering Standard Drawings for typical
details of storage tank foundations for areas where frost heave is a problem.
The total thickness of granular fill (H + h1) should be selected so that frost
penetration through this material does not reach the frost susceptible underlying soils.
This thickness may be greater than D, the depth of frost penetration in natural
surrounding soils. (H + h1) should be selected on the basis of maximum recorded
depth of frost penetration in similar (gravel or crushed rock) materials in the area.
where
H = depth of nonfrost susceptible material below the bottom of the ring wall.
If penetration and mixing of the granular material with underlying silt is a potential
problem, a visqueen or asphalt lining should be considered.
The extent to which the frost susceptible materials are to be replaced under the tank
depends upon the differential settlement or heave that can be tolerated. Tanks can
generally withstand fairly high uniform settlements on the order of several feet.
Differential settlement, or heave, near the shell should be limited to d/8 to d/13 where
d is the distance over which the settlement, or the heave, occurs or as specified by the
tank design, whichever is less. Using the maximum anticipated heave of ha in the
frost susceptible areas toward the middle, the minimum distance from the shell to
which the frost susceptible soils should be replaced is about 13 ha. In general, this
should be a minimum of 10 feet.
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Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Soil Conditions
The types of soil conditions have a significant influence on the selection of the type of
tank foundation. Due to their size and loading, tanks can cause increases in soil stresses
to significant depths. Therefore, large settlements may occur in many cases, even if
bearing capacity is adequate. Tanks, in general, are capable of withstanding significant
uniform settlements without loss of their function.
In general, for good soil conditions, granular soils or medium to stiff clays, gravel ring
wall support will be suitable. Exceptions to this would include cases of high uplift due to
seismic or pressure loadings requiring anchoring; in these cases, a concrete ring wall
should be used.
In poor soil conditions, soft clays and silts, where anticipated settlements are excessive or
potential for a bearing capacity failure exists, surcharging should be considered as an
alternate to supporting the tank on piles. Surcharging can be performed by temporary fill.
In many cases, the water in the tank itself has been successfully used to surcharge the
soils. Settlement measurements must be obtained and rate of filling must be carefully
controlled, especially if potential for bearing capacity failure exists. Sand drains are
sometimes used to accelerate the process. A 5 to 10 foot thick mat of compacted granular
fill is generally provided on top of the soft soils before placing the surcharge.
Pile foundations should be considered as a last resort if the settlement tolerances are very
critical or the surcharge is not a feasible option due to time, fill availability, or other
constraints.
The soils consultant should always be involved in determining which types of foundations
are feasible and which are not. They should also provide a detailed tank hydrotest
procedure for monitoring of tank settlement and evaluate the results of settlement data.
Proximity To Slopes
If the tank is located near the top of a slope, as a rough rule of thumb, a minimum setback
of twice the height of the slope should be considered. If this setback cannot be provided,
or potential for slope instability exists, specific recommendations from the soils
consultant should be obtained.
Temperature
Fluctuations
Large diurnal temperature fluctuations coupled with large diameter tanks can result in
significant movements of the tank bottom plate due to day time thermal expansion and
night time contraction. This can result in digging in of the bottom plate into the perimeter
foundation. The problem is generally more severe if soil sand is used under the tank
perimeter. Foundation and tank should be designed to accommodate this movement at the
perimeter of the tank under the shell. A gravel ring wall under the shell instead of sand or
a concrete leveling ring would prevent this problem.
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Practice 000 215 1226
Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
DESIGN
CONDITIONS
Vertical Loading
Storage tank foundations will be designed to support the tank weight plus the weight of
stored product or water, whichever is greater.
Horizontal Loading
Horizontal loads are an important consideration in the foundation design of storage tanks
and should always be checked.
Resistance to the overturning moment at the bottom of the shell may be provided by the
weight of the tank shell and by the weight of a portion of the tank contents adjacent to the
shell for unanchored tanks or by anchorage of the tank shell. For unanchored tanks, the
portion of the contents which may be utilized to resist overturning is dependent on the
width of the bottom plate under the shell which lifts off the foundation and may be
determined as follows:
W L = 7.9 t b x F by • δ • H L
where
WL = Maximum weight of tank contents which may be utilized to resist the shell
overturning moment, in pounds per foot of shell circumference.
Fby = Minimum specified yield strength of bottom plate under the shell, in pounds
per square inch.
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
where
Wt = Weight of tank shell and portion of fixed roof supported by shell, in pounds
per foot of shell circumference.
Ws + Wr − P
Wt =
πD
p = Pressure in tank
When stability factor >1.57, tank should be anchored. Refer to API (American Petroleum
Institute) 650, Section E.5.1.
When anchors are required for resisting overturning by the design, tension load per bolt
will be calculated as follows:
tB = 4M − W + P
dN N N
where
W = WS + WR; Weight of tank shell and any portion of roof supported by shell in
pounds
For the design of anchor bolts, refer to the Structural Engineering Practice 000.215.1207:
Anchor Bolt Design Criteria.
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Practice 000 215 1226
Publication Date 22May00
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Soil Bearing
In selecting the proper type of foundation, the bearing capacity of the soils is the primary
factor. A thorough knowledge of the soil properties is necessary to avoid excessive
differential settlement and possible failure.
For the types of soil conditions and their influences on the selection of the type of tank
foundations, refer to paragraphs under Soil Conditions.
CONCRETE RING
WALL DESIGN
Theory
The thickness of the ring wall is determined from a consideration of bearing pressure. In
order to minimize differential settlements, the bearing pressure under the ring wall should
be as close as possible to that under the interior portion of the tank. The ring wall depth
will be determined from the allowable soil bearing pressures and frost depth
requirements, and will be based on soils consultant recommendations.
P = q H + γs h
Soil pressure under ring wall, when the tank shell is at the center of ring wall:
P = 1 ω + 1 t q H + h t γ c
t 2
where
P = Soil bearing pressure at base of ring wall, (PSF). Must not be greater than
the allowable soil bearing, Pa.
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
ω = Weight of tank shell per foot of circumference, for tanks with floating roof,
or weight of tank shell plus load from tank roof on shell for fixed roof tanks
per foot of circumference (LB / FT).
= W
πD
t= 2ω
q H − 2h (γ c − γ s )
From a section through the ring wall (refer to Attachment 01), it is seen that the net
horizontal force is:
1
F = 2
K o γ s h 2 + K o h (q H)
F = K o h q H + 1
2
γ s h
where
Note!!! A tank ring wall is a relatively unyielding structure and, therefore, the
horizontal earth pressure on the wall will be best represented by the "at rest
condition," Ko
K o = (1 − Sin φ)
where
This horizontal force F causes a hoop tension in the ring wall given by:
T = FD
2000
where
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Reinforcing
Because it is assumed that the concrete takes no tensile forces, the wall reinforcing steel
must take it all.
Tu
As = ≥ 0.0035h t
φ fy
where
Note!!! Load factor of 1.4 rather than 1.7 is used because the lateral pressure is caused
by the tank, not the soil.
All circumferential tension steel will be continuous with splices staggered. All splices
will be Class B type as given in ACI (American Concrete Institute) 318-99.
REFERENCES
ACI (American Concrete Institute) 318-99
Structural Engineering
Practice 000.215.1207: Anchor Bolt Design Criteria
Structural Engineering
Practice 000.215.1215: Wind Load Calculation
Structural Engineering
Practice 000.215.1216: Earthquake Engineering
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 01: Dec, 1992
Forces At Ring Wall Section
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FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
000 215 1226
December 1992
NOTES:
3/4" 45-90
NO. 4 20-50
NO. 30 6-29
C FOUNDATION AND TANK SHELL 3. ASPHALT SAND BED SHALL BE PLACED AS SHOWN OVER THE GRANULAR
"
MATERIAL BACKFILL. SAND TO BE USED SHALL BE FREE OF ALL DELETERIOUS
ANCHOR BOLT PROJ.
MATERIAL. SALT CONTENT SHALL NOT BE MORE 0.1 PERCENT SAND SHALL BE
60-70 PEN. ASPHALT CEMENT
1'-8" DRIED TO A FREE MOISTURE CONTENT OF NOT MORE THAN 7 PERCENT BY WEIGHT
INSTALLATION) OF DRY SOIL. THE SAND MUST BE SCREENED THRU 1/4 INCH MESH
0
(MAXIMUM), PRIOR TO ASPHALTING, TO ASSURE ELIMINATION OF ALL CLOTS.
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN USING CLEAN MIXING AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT
"
NO POINT IN THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE SHALL TO ASSURE ASPHALT SAND REMAINS FREE OF THESE CLOTS AND OTHER
-
FOREIGN MATTER. DRY SAND SHALL BE MIXED WITH ABOUT 120 LBS. SC-800
4
SPACED AS SHOWN C
TOP OF CONC PLACEMENT OF THE TANK, ASPHALT SAND SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM ANY
'
SC-250 SPRAYED ASPHALT 4. A SHEET OF 90 LB FELT PAPER SHALL BE PLACED BETWEEN THE TOP OF
CONCRETE FOUNDATION AND THE TANK BOTTOM PLATE.
1
9 - #6 EACH FACE WITH 43" LAP 5. EXISTING GRANULAR SURFACE MATERIAL TO BE USED FOR RECOMPACTION
A
3
1" IMPERMEABLE SAND ASPHALT MIX MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SOIL ENGINEER.
APPLY AFTER TANK INSTALLATION
#6 AT 8 EACH FACE
'
5
3" CL
'
6
-
1 1/2
"
0
1
1
"
1
6
1
"
C NEW SWALE
1'-0" 8'-6"
TYP
5'-2 1/2"
SECTION A
Practice 000 215 1226
Publication Date 15Jun00
Attachment 03 - Sheet 1 of 3
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Given:
fy = 60,000 PSI
γc = 150 PCF
Soil is contaminated to a depth of 3'- 0" below existing grade elevation ± 0.00. Compaction of fill to be
95 percent of maximum dry density at a moisture content close to the optimum (± 2 percent) as determined by
ASTM D-1557.
Projected settlement – 2 inches which will be effectively completed by the end of the hydrotest.
Height of tank, H = 48'- 0" Height of tank commodity, HOPER = 41'- 0"
Thickness of tank shell and bottom Plate, N = 38 " Specific gravity of commodity, S = 0.784
Design Of Ringwall
2.) Note!!! To determine (OTM) refer to Technical Practice 000.215.1215 for wind loading and
Practice 000.215.1216 for earthquake loads including sloshing effects.
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Attachment 03 - Sheet 2 of 3
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
WL= 7.9tb F by S H L = (7.9)(0.375) (36, 000)(0.784)(41) = 3187 LBS < (1.25)(0.784)(41)(90) = 3616 OK
Note!!! Refer to Technical Practice 000.215.1207 for the design of anchor bolts if required
3.) Place top elevation at 1'- 2" to account for settlement due to hydrotest. Elevation at bot. of ringwall
γc = 150 PCF
Use qW = 62.4 PCF (any differential settlement will occur during hydrotest)
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Attachment 03 - Sheet 3 of 3
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
e.) Use 6 #7 each face, As(TOT) = 7.2 in2 with class "B" lap splices
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Attachment 04 - Sheet 1 of 4
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
fy = 60,000 PSI
gc = 150 PCF
4.) Total overturning Moment applied to bottom of tank due to seismic, M = 101,023,107 LB-FT
(Refer to Practice 000.215.1216 for earthquake loads, including sloshing effects, and
Practice 000.215.1207 for the design of anchor bolts.)
Design Of Foundation:
Weight of tank contents which may be utilized to resist the shell overturning moment is given by:
WL = 7.9tb F by SH L
5
Where: Thickness of bottom plate under the shell, tb = 16
"
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Publication Date 15Jun00
Attachment 04 - Sheet 2 of 4
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
5
... WL = (7.9)( )
(36, 000)(0.784)(41)
16
= 2656 LB/FT of circumference < (1.25)(0.784)(41)(102.5) = 4118 OK
... Stability Factor = 101,023,107 / (102.5)2 (1009 + 2656) = 2.62 > 1.57
... The tank is structurally unstable and anchoring the tank is required.
Total Uplift force due to overturning: (Us - Wt) = 12.242 - 1.009 = 11.233 K/FT
Total Downward Force = 2.79 + 1.37 + 0.59 + 7.06 = 11.81 K/FT > 11.233 K/FT OK
Wt = 1.009 K/FT
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Attachment 04 - Sheet 3 of 4
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
Pedestal And Footing Bottom Rebars Shall Be Designed For Condition No. 2
(Oper)
1
Fo = Ko h (qH + 2
γsh)
= 3.32 K/FT
(Test)
= 4.81 K/FT
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Attachment 04 - Sheet 4 of 4
FLUOR DANIEL
TANK FOUNDATIONS
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