650-728 Rev 1 Wind Girder Section Modulus

Agenda Item: 650-728
Title:
Wind Girder Section Modulus 5.9.6.1
Date:
May 5/17/2011
Contact:
Name
: Doug Bayles
Company : Willbros Government Services, Inc.
Phone
: (918) 499-2890
E-mail
:[email protected]
Purpose:
Clarify Wind Girder Design for Tanks over 200 ft. Dia.
Source:
E-Mail from B. Mistry
Revision:
Impact:
Cost saving will be realized if proposal is adopted/accepted
Rationale: 5.9.6.1 of API-650 provides equation for calculating section modulus for top wind girder of
open top tanks with a foot note as below.
Note: For tank diameters over 60 m (200 ft), the section modulus required by
the equation may be reduced by agreement between the Purchaser and the
Manufacturer, but the modulus may not be less than that required for a tank
diameter of 61 m (200 ft). (A description of the loads on the tank shell that are
included in the design wind speed can be found in Item a of the note to 5.9.7.1.)
I assume that this note is based on documented technical paper and it is not arbitrary. It
would be good to site relevant Reference Documents so that informed decision can be made
by Purchaser and Tank Fabricator. There is no information (rationale) provided (pros and
cons) for using reduced section modulus.
Is there any negative effect for using reduced section modulus per Note?
API 650 presently does not have any mechanism in Tank Data sht. to document and record
what the Commercial Agreement with regard to wind girder design.
With presently worded Note, it is possible to design and build (2) tanks over 200 ft. dia. at the
same location, for the same wind loads for two different customers, one agreeing to the foot
note and other not. In such a case, (2) identical tanks can have significantly different section
modulus of wind girder, both in compliance of API-650 and both having same structural
integrity. Purchaser who agrees to foot note will realize cost saving. If structural integrity is
not an issue, wind girders for all tanks over 200 ft. dia. should be allowed to be built to foot
note with reduced section modulus without requiring agreement between the manufacturer
and purchaser.
Proposal:
See Proposed change in Red.
5.9.6.1 The required minimum section modulus of the stiffening ring shall be
determined by the following equation
In SI units:
Z= D2 H2/17 (V/190)2
In US Customary units:
Z = 0.0001 D2 H2 (V/120)2
Note: For tank diameters over 601 m (200 ft), the section modulus required
by the equation may be reduced by agreement between the Purchaser and the
Page 1 of 2
Manufacturer, if specified as acceptable in Appendix L, but the modulus may

not be less than that required for a tank diameter of 61 m (200 ft). (A
description of the loads on the tank shell that are included in the design wind
speed can be found in Item a of the notes to 5.9.7.1.). Reduction in section
modulus shall be reported on Tank Data Sht. 1 of 8.
Modify Appendix-L as follows:
9. Design Wind Issues
Top Wind Girder Style*: See 5.9, and Figure 5-24, for open-top and
external floating roofs.
Dimensions of Top Wind Girder*: For example, if style were Curb
Angle, the dimension might be 3 3 3/8 (in.).
Use Top Wind Girder as Walkway? (Yes/No): See 5.9, and Figure 525, and note 3 ft-6 in. dimension preference of
5.9.4 if choice is Yes.
For tanks over 61m (200 ft.) dia., specify (Yes or No) if reduced
section modulus per Note in 5.9.6.1 is acceptable.
Appendix-L, Sht. 1 of 8 (revise as below)
DESIGN AND TESTING Purchaser to Review Design Prior to Ordering

Material? Yes No
Freeboard Required for SUG I Design Roof Tie Rods @ Outer Ring?* Yes No
9. Wind Velocity for non-U.S. sites, 50-yr wind speed (3-sec Gust)* ________
Top Wind Girder Style* ___________________ Dimensions* _________________ Use
Top Wind Girder as Walkway? Yes No
Is Reduced Section Modulus per 5.9.6.1 for tanks over 61 m (200 ft.) dia.
acceptable?
Yes___ No____
Intermediate Wind Girders?* Yes No Intermediate Wind Girder Style*
_______________ Dimensions*___________________
Check Buckling in Corroded Cond.? Yes No
Notes:
Bhana M. provided a document below which relates to the reduction in size of the wind
girder for large diameter tanks. I have not found any other documents relating to this matter.
Note in 5.9.6.1 this note and concept was introduced in Rev.2, 6th. Edition, API-650 1978
Study of Wind Girder Requirements for Large Diameter Tanks by J.H. Adams (PDM)
May 14, 1975.
Page 2 of 2

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Agenda Item: 650-728

Wind Girder Section Modulus 5.9.6.1

E-Mail from B. Mistry

Cost saving will be realized if proposal is adopted/accepted

See Proposed change in Red.

Manufacturer, if specified as acceptable in Appendix L, but the modulus may

DESIGN AND TESTING Purchaser to Review Design Prior to Ordering

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