Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering 19(1) 2019

Dynamic Analysis of Elevated Water Tanks

Damini J. Dhondge, Dr. R. S. Talikoti
Dept. of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Maharashtra, Nashik.

ABSTRACT: Water tanks are very important components of lifeline. They are vital component in municipal
water system, firefighting systems and in many industrial facilities for storage of water. The water tanks get
heavily damaged or collapsed during earthquake due to the fluid-structure interactions; hence the seismic be-
havior of tanks has the characteristics of complex phenomena. Water storage tanks ought to stay practical
within the post-earthquake amount to confirm potable water system to earthquake affected regions. The para-
metric study suggests that the elevated circular tanks performs better than elevated rectangular tanks. In the
present study, a dynamic analysis of elevated RCC water tanks design for the zone III and zone V as per Indi-
an Standard: 1893-2002 (Part-2) and analyzed manually as well as using the software considering all the
earthquake forces. Objective of this paper is to understand the dynamic behavior of elevated water tanks un-
der earthquake loading.

KEYWORDS: Elevated Circular Tanks, Dynamic Analysis, and STAAD-PRO.

1.1 Classification of tanks

1 INTRODUCTION
Earthquakes are major calamities which have a 1.1.1. Based on Location
potential to causing disturbance to infrastructure and a. Ground level tanks
lifeline facility. Water is basic needs for daily life. b. Elevated tanks
An elevated water tank is a large container built for
the purpose of water supply it consists large water c. Underground tanks
mass at the top of slender staging which is consider- 1.1.2. Based on Shape
ing critical during an earthquake. For certain propor- d. Rectangular Tanks
tion of tank and structure, the sloshing of water dur- e. Circular Tanks
ing an earthquake is also a dominant factor. f. Intze Tanks
The presence of a free fluid surface which allows g. Spherical Bottom Tanks
motions related to container called liquid sloshing. h. Domed Bottom Tanks
Seismic ground motion cause hydrostatic and i. Conical Bottom Tanks
hydrodynamic pressure on the tank which depend on
the dimension of tank, the percentage of liquid, 1.2 Seismic zoning
properties of liquid, fluid tank interaction etc. Most Different locations have different geology. The
of the people developed a mathematical model, possibility of occurrence of earthquakes and its
theoretical solution for calculating or studying damaging effects is different at different locations.
sloshing effects. Therefore an understanding of Hence analyzing the earthquakes in our country tak-
earthquake damage for elevated service reservoir ing India as one whole region will not be precise.
requires information about dynamic forces, staging Thus, India was divided into five regions known as
height associated with sloshing liquid is important Zones and a map representing these zones called
Main objective of seismic design of structure is to Seismic Zone Map is prepared to recognize these
ensure that the structure even though does not fully earthquake prone areas. India was divided into five
recent percent resist the earthquake force it at least zones – I, II, III, IV and V by the 1970 version of the
has an acceptable performance when subjected to zone map based on the levels of intensities sustained
various intensity earthquakes and the probability of during past earthquakes. These maps need to be re-
vised time to time as there will be changes and better
such occurrences during its lifetime.
understanding is obtained on the geologic condition
and the seismic activity in the country.
The first seismic zone map was provided in 1962
by the Indian Standards, which was further revised
in 1967 and once again in 1970. The map has been

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 Special Issue: Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering 19(1) 2019
last revised in 2002, and it now has seismic zones – 1.3.3 Water Pressure
II, III, IV and V. The seismic zone I areas were The water pressure is triangular or uniformly var-
merged with those of seismic zone II in 1970. Seis- ying load which is zero at the top and maximum at
mic Zone Map presents an outsized scale read of the the bottom of the water tank.
unstable zones. Hence soil variations and variations
in the geology cannot be represented at that scale.
Therefore, for major projects, such as large scale 1.4 Aim of the study
dams or a power plant, the seismic danger is investi- The aim of design is the performance of an adequate
gated specifically in detail for that particular site. probability that structures being designed will carry
For the purposes of urban planning, the area to be out.
urbanized is again zoned further as smaller unit Satisfactorily during their intended life. Structural
which is known as micro-zoning. By doing so, the design of the water tank should be economical.
local of earthquake forces are:
Seismic variations in soil profile, geology etc. can
also be considered. The necessary factors that have 1.5 Objectives of the study
an effect on the magnitude, • The main objective of this project is Dy-
1.2.1. Zone Factor, Z
namic Analysis of the Elevated water
As mentioned earlier, India has been divided into
tanks.
four seismic zones as per IS 1893 (Part 1): 2002.
• To study the Examine base shear of Ele-
There are different zone factors for different zones.
1.2.2. Important Factor, I
vated Circular water tanks Supported on
It relies upon useful utilization of the structures, Frame Staging considering different
characterized by hazardous results of its collapse or height and zone and plotting the graphs as
failure and post-earthquake practical requirements or base shear Vs height and base shear Vs
financial significance. Elevated water tanks are uti- zone.
lized for putting away consumable water and used
during crisis for example, putting out fires and are of • To know about the manual design of struc-
post-earthquake significance. Importance factor is ture for the safe and economical structure
taken as 1.5for elevated water tank. of the tanks.
1.2.3. Response reduction factor, R
It relies on the apparent earthquake hazard and 2 METHODOLOGY
harm caused on the building, described by brittle or 2.1 Design 1: Analysing structure manually in
ductile displacements. R values of tanks are not as Microsoft Excel.
much as buildings since tanks are less ductile and
have low redundancy when compared with other The first step for the analysis has been the elevat-
building. For Special Moment Resisting Frame ed water tank designed manually in Microsoft excel
(SMRF), R value is 2.5. It will be design for earthquake acting. Proper load-
1.2.4. Structural Response Factor,(Sa/g) ing conditions, earthquake zone etc. are to be con-
It is a component meaning which denotes accel- sidered in this design. All wall loads and slab loads
eration response spectrum of the building subjected has calculated in excel and directly applied in mod-
to soil disturbance due to earthquake and depends on eling of the elevated water tank structure in staad-
the damping of the structure and natural period of pro.
vibration.
2.2 Design 2: Elevated water tank structure in
1.3 Loads Considered STAAD-PRO.
1.3.1 Dead load After clear analysis of water tank, the next step
The dead load in a tank includes the self-weight has the effect on tank at different height of structure
of the structure and all other superimposed dead with the help of STAAD-PRO software. For this at-
loads (viz, all permanent constructions and installa- tempt, we have tried to consider same loading condi-
tions including weight of all side slabs). tions, and earthquake zones coming on the structure
1.3.2 Live Load so that it will be easy for comparison.
The magnitude of live load to be taken generally The tank selected for study will be circular type.
depends upon the type of occupancy of the tank. IS Tank is analyzed by using STAAD-PRO analysis
3375 part 4 gives certain minimum values of live package and performance with respect to displace-
loads for specific purpose. ment, base shear and maximum forces are presented.

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 Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering 19(1) 2019

Figure 1: 3-D View of Roof

Figure 4: Seismic load

Table 1:design data of the tank

Type of tank - Circular type

Capacity of tank - 20 Lakh Liters

Figure 2: 3-D model of Staging Staging Height - 12 m

- 15 m
- 18 m
Water Height -5 m
SBC of Soil - 200 kN/m2
Number of columns - 24 no.
C/C span of the Roof Slab - 4.5(Div.in 2Prts)
C/c Span of the Floor Slab - 2.25 m
Thickness of tank wall - 2.25 m
Thickness of Roof Slab - 0.12 m
Thickness of Floor Slab - 0.20 m
Size of Roof beam - 0.23 X 0.23 m
Column inside Container - 0.30 dia.
Main Staging Column - 0.50 dia.
Free Board of Roof Beam - 0.50 m

Figure 3: Wind load on staging Grade of Concrete - M30

Grade of Steel - Fe500
Seismic Zones - III, V
Density of Concrete - 25 kN/m3
Density of Water - 10 kN/m3
Young’s modulus of Steel Es - 200000 N/mm2

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3 RESULTS
The behavior of structure due to seismic loads Table 4: Base moment in zone III Vs zone V
and wind loads are observed by performing dynamic
analysis considering seismic zone III, zone V and Base Moment(kN.m) 12m 15 m 18 m
wind zone VI. Parameter considered for comparison
Zone III 1713.33 2906.12 2974.88
are displacement, height variation, time period, base
Shear. Zone V 3854.99 6538.77 6693.48
Table 2: Height of the tank Vs Displacement

Height of the tanks 12m 15 m 18 m

Maximum Displacement 21.338 38.08 59.955
Minimum Displacement 1.351 5.796 8.048

Figure 7: Base moment in zone III Vs zone V

Table 5: Disp. in zone III Vs zone V

Figure 5: Height of the tank Vs Displacement Disp. 12m 15 m 18 m

Fixed 21.338 38.080 52.195
pinned 29.164 45.651 59.955
Table 3: Base Shear in zone III Vs Zone V

Base 12m 15 m 18 m
Shear(kN)
Zone III 191.96 223.23 242.92
Zone V 431.91 502.26 546.58

Figure 8: Disp. in zone III Vs zone V

4 CONCLUSIONS
The objective of research was to study Elevated
water tanks (Circular type) variation of height and
Figure 6: Base Shear in zone III Vs Zone V base shear analysis in different zones is to suggest
the height of tank increases displacement are
increases. The behavior of Tank due to seismic loads

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 Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering 19(1) 2019
and wind loads are observed by performing dynamic [3] Bojja.Devadanam 1, M K MV Ratnam 2,
analysis considering seismic zone V and zone III. Dr.U RangaRaju (2015). “Effect of Staging
Height on the Seismic Performance of RC
5 SCOPE FOR THE FUTURE WOR Elevated Water Tank”, Vol. 4, Issue 1,
Dynamic analysis of elevated RCC circular water January 2015.
tanks has been carry out as per IITK-GSDMA [4] Nandagopan.M. 1, Shinu Shajee2, (2017).
guidelines and behaviour of the elevated water tanks “Dynamic Analysis of RCC Water Tanks
for different parameters viz., Zone factor, Base shear with Varying Height of Water Level”, Vol.
different staging heights have been analysed. The 6, Issue 4, April 2017.
modal characteristics of the structure were ascer-
tained using STAAD-PRO. The Supporting struc- [5] Nishigandha R.Patil1, Dr. R. S. Talikoti2,
tures i.e. the stagings were found vulnerable for (2015). “Seismic Analysis of Elevated Wa-
seismic forces. Hence, an attempt has been made to ter Tank”. Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp: (90-94),
study the effect of variations in staging height on the Month: April 2015 Sept.
seismic behaviour of elevated water tank. The fol- [7] Soheil Soroushnia, (2011).” Seismic Per-
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listed below. with Frame Staging and Exhibition Dam-
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shear characteristics. The base shear will [8] 1Igbax, Sannyol Ityokumbul, 2 Ogwu,
increases until a detracting staging height. Care Ekele Augustin, 3Atiku, Lawal Ibrahim
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• The base shear varies linearly with the change
cilities and Their Supports” Volume || 5 ||
in zone Issue || 5 || Pages || PP -14-18 || 2016 ||
The results showed that there is a good [9] Mor Vyankatesh K. 1, More Varsha T.
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Volume 14, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. - Feb.
ACKNOWLEGEMENT 2017).
Would like to express my special gratitude to my [10] Furquan Elahi Shaikh1, B K Raghupra-
teacher Prof. Dr. R. S. Talikoti for his excellent sad2, Amarnath K3 (2017). “Performance
guidance and continuous encouragement during Study of Elevated Water Tanks under
course of my work. I truly appreciate for his vast Seismic Forces”. Volume: 04 Issue: 07 |
knowledge and delight supervision and advice as July -2017.
well as constantly shored me up, enabling me to de- [11] James O. Jackson, Crafton, Pa. Application
velop an understanding of the project. I would also October 27, 1933, Serial No.
like to thank to all the faculty members of the de- 695,467.”Uinted states patent office”. Pa-
partment for their valuable guidance and support tented July 6, 1937.
during my work. Secondly, I would to thank my par- [12] Apurva A. Jibhkate1 Prof. Hemant G. Son-
ents and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing kusare2 (2017). “Earthquake Analysis of
this project. Water Tank for Different Staging Height
and Sloshing Effect”.Vol. 5, Issue02,2017
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[17] Bureau of Indian Standards IS 875 (part 1):
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