Finite-element analysis of liquid-storage tank foundations using settlement difference as boundary condition

Abstract

Considered comprehensively with the friction between structure and soil, study was carried out to simulate the interaction between bottom plate and foundation with contact element. New modelling method for stress calculation of large liquid-storage tank was established. For it, average settlement difference of the foundations was utilized as boundary condition, replacing the existing bedding value and elastic modulus, which are difficult to be measured in practical engineering. The peak stress over fillet weld area on the bottom plate, which was derived by the finite-element analysis modelling method based on settlement difference, agreed well with the measured values. It shows that other than accurately calculating the stress of bottom plate, this method can also carry out real-time monitoring and forecast the operational life span of large liquid-storage tank.