Wind Buckling Analysis of a Large-Scale Open-Topped Steel Tank with Harmonic Settlement-Induced Imperfection

In this study, the wind buckling capacity of an open-topped steel tank with harmonic settlement-induced imperfection is numerically investigated. Although the single effect of the wind load or differential settlement on the open-topped steel tanks is widely studied, the interaction of the two loads to the tank shell is scarcely examined. The prototype of a 100,000 m³ open-topped steel tank with a floating roof is selected, and the harmonic settlements (wave numbers n = 2, 3, and 4) and the wind profile considering internal pressure (EN 1993-4-1) are applied. Firstly, the finite element model is established and validated by the replication of peer-reviewed research. Then, the wind buckling analysis of the tank shell with harmonic settlement-induced imperfection is studied. Next, the effects of the harmonic settlement-induced imperfection (HSII) and the wind attack angle (WAA) on the wind buckling capacity are discussed. The results show that the effect of the HSII on the wind buckling capacity is complex. When the wind attack angle is the case of β=0°, the wind load capacities (λcig) with HSIIs decrease to 73.4% (wave number n=2), 37.5% (wave number n=3) and 41.3% (wave number n=4) of the non-settlement wind load capacity (λcg). Given that the case of β=0° is the basis, when the harmonic settlement level is low, such as settlement load No.1 and No.2, the biggest increase of wind buckling capacity is less than 20% with an exception; when the harmonic settlement level is high, such as settlement load No.3, No.4 and No.5, the biggest increase of wind buckling capacity is more than 40%, with a few exceptions.

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