Shake table study of annular baffles in steel storage tanks as sloshing dependent variable dampers

Aboveground steel storage tanks are widely utilized in industrial areas such as oil refineries, petrochemical complexes, oil depots, and etc. Assurance of these infrastructure facilities in high seismic areas is a very important engineering consideration. High amplitude fluid sloshing is one of the widespread causes of steel oil storage tanks during strong earthquakes addressed as an important failure mode. This phenomenon generates additional forces impacting the wall and roof of the tanks. Annular baffles can be used as slosh damping devises to control liquid sloshing within a tank. The main objective of this paper is experimental study of annular baffle effects as anti-sloshing damping devices to reduce fluid wave sloshing height in steel storage tanks typically used in oil and petrochemical complexes during an earthquake. Shake table tests have been used on a reduced scale model steel storage tank in two cases of with and without annular baffles. Three real earthquake ground motion records are used as input base motion. Based on the experimental test results, dynamic characteristics of studied tank models with different filling levels and different baffle dimensions and arrangements have been obtained and summarized in this paper. Also, sloshing heights and convective mode damping values are determined from the test results and compared with API650 code recommendations and recommended equations by other researchers. Generally, the results of this study indicate significant effects of the annular baffles in reducing the fluid wave sloshing height as sloshing dependent variable dampers.     

An emergency response plan for cascading post-earthquake fires in fuel storage facilities

Natural disasters such as large earthquakes may rapidly result in cascading events such as post-earthquake fires (PEFs) to trigger. This is particularly the case in industrial facilities which is well known as natural-hazard triggered technological accidents (NaTechs). This study provides a response framework for NaTechs caused by earthquake in fuel storage facilities. To do this, seismic vulnerability of fuel storage tanks and possible damage fashions are studied. Considering fuel leakages can result in PEFs, possible scenarios are simulated numerically using Process Hazard Analysis Software Tool (PHAST). A case study including 20 fuel tanks adjacent one to another is investigated to simulate a domino effect when different arbitrary tanks start to ignite; hence, the worst case scenario can be determined. Based on the results of the case studied, inability to extinguish the possible PEFs over less than 9 min can lead to spreading them to the adjacent tanks. The results indicate that it takes about 40 min the adjacent tanks involve in the fires. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to provide an emergency response plan in advance to properly respond to the fires. The study here also highlights the role of preventive strategies in reducing the associated risks of PEFs in industrial facilities.     

基于Probit-Bayes方法的储罐地震易损性研究

为了研究地震对储罐造成的影响,结合历史上储罐的震害资料,将储罐的损伤程度进行分级,通过采用Bayes方法估计Probit模型参数,再转化成储罐的损伤概率,给出了各个损伤状态下的模型参数及给定地震加速度下储罐的损伤概率,提出了1种基于Probit -Bayes方法估计储罐易损性的计算方法。结果表明:所提出的地震损伤计算方法,能够有效的评估储罐在不同地震加速度下的损伤程度,可为震后储罐的安全评估提供理论依据。     

Seismic risk assessment of liquid overtopping in a steel storage tank equipped with a single deck floating roof

Major earthquakes have demonstrated that Natech events can be triggered by liquid overtopping in liquid storage tanks equipped with floating roofs. Thus, research on the dynamic behaviour of steel storage tanks with floating roofs is still required. In this paper, the seismic risk against liquid overtopping in a real steel storage tank with a floating roof was analysed using a simplified model that was validated by a refined finite element model based on the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach. The simplified model utilizes the Lagrangian of a floating roof-fluid system and is capable of providing a response history of the floating roof. It was demonstrated that it could predict the maximum vertical displacement very accurately, while some differences were observed in the response history of vertical displacement. The computational time for a single response history analysis based on the simplified model amounted to a few minutes, which is significantly less demanding compared to hours required for response history analysis in the case of the refined FE model. The simplified model is thus appropriate for the seismic fragility analysis considering the overtopping limit state. It is shown that the fragility curves are significantly affected by the liquid filling level. The risk for liquid overtopping is quite high in the case of a full tank. However, by considering the variation of filling level during the year, the overtopping risk was observed reduced by approximately 30%. Alternatively, the approximate fragility analysis for the liquid overtopping can be performed by utilizing the Eurocode formula for the vertical displacement of liquid. This approach is straightforward, but the formula does not account for the higher mode effects, which may result in overestimated seismic intensity causing overtopping, as discussed in the paper.     

The impact of the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake on industrial facilities

This study describes the results of a field trip to the area affected by the 12 May, 2008, Wenchuan earthquake to analyse its impact on industrial facilities. The damage severity correlates well with the age of the plant, with older facilities having suffered more extensive and severe damage than those built more recently according to the latest design codes. The main cause of worker death and injury was the collapse of warehouses, office and manufacturing buildings. This concerned mostly concrete structures with insufficient confinement or poor reinforcement. The falling debris resulted in equipment damage and loss, as well as pipe severing and crushing. Pipes were also severed or bent when connected tanks were displaced or buildings collapsed. Numerous hazardous-materials releases occurred with spills being the dominant accident scenario. In some sites soil–liquefaction induced damage was evident, highlighting the need to consider potential site effects when selecting the location for a facility. The impact of the Wenchuan earthquake on chemical facilities confirms the findings from other earthquakes in terms of typical Natech damage and failure modes, as well as of hazardous-materials release potential and mechanisms.     

Assessment of the seismic effect of insulation on extra-large cryogenic liquid natural gas storage tanks

Insulation is typically used in extra-large double-walled cryogenic storage tanks that are used to store liquid natural gas (LNG). These vessels have been designed with the assumption that the insulation offers negligible structural resistance that might cause structural damage. Observation of the deformation of the insulation in such tanks leads to concern that the insulation may become sufficiently compacted to cause significant load transfer between the inner and outer tank. The inner tank, though protected from most external events by the outer tank, is only designed to contain the liquid gas. It is therefore much more sensitive to seismic effects. In this investigation, simplified and 3D finite element models are used to simulate the interaction effects of the fluid, inner tank, insulation and outer tank. This paper presents an initial analysis of the potential effects of LNG tank insulation under earthquake conditions and assesses the potential for structural damage by comparison of models that do or do not consider the insulation layer. The data reported and statistically sorted include the overturning moment, the base shear, the tank wall stress, and the wave height in the tank. The results show that the insulation layer has certain influence on seismic design of LNG tanks.     

Seismic risk of atmospheric storage tanks in the framework of quantitative risk analysis

The quantitative risk assessment of industrial facilities is based on integrated procedures to quantify human, environmental and economical losses related to relevant accidents. Accordingly, seismic risk analysis has to be integrated in order to obtain reliable results.In this work, some considerations regarding the intensity and probability of occurrence of earthquakes and the vulnerability of atmospheric storage tanks subjected to seismic actions are given.Structural vulnerability based on observational data has been processed in the form of “probit analysis”, a simple and useful statistic tool. Suggestions concerning industrial seismic-related accidental scenarios are also given.     

Scenario deduction of Natech accident based on dynamic Bayesian network: A case study of landslide accident in a liquor storage tank area in Guizhou Province,China

Industrial technical accidents caused by natural disasters are defined as Natech accidents, such as earthquakes and landslides, which can cause tremendous damage to industrial storage tanks, and lead to accidental leakage and even serious fire and explosion accidents. In this study, a landslide-induced storage tank accident model under earthquake disasters was proposed, and the relationship between landslide mass impact and target impact resistance was taken into account. Also, tank failure and the formation of the pool fire were considered to be the consequences of the Natech accident. Through scenario deduction, the dynamic process of landslide Natech was transformed qualitatively into a disaster chain network diagram composed of a scenario state, a disaster-causing factor and emergency management. The Bayesian network was used to learn and deduce the parameters of the network diagram, and in this process, the prior probability and conditional probability of nodes were obtained primarily by Monte Carlo simulation, and by an improved expert scoring method based on the fuzzy set theory. Through visualization software, the sensitivity analysis of landslide Natech was achieved. Finally, a case study of a liquor storage tank area in Guizhou Province, China was carried out, and the results show that a large amount of hazardous material leakage caused by buckling is key to the formation of pool fire accidents, and several prevention measures for earthquake-induced landslide Natech was proposed according to the sensitivity analysis.     

基于疲劳累积破坏机制的储罐结构动力可靠度分析

针对随机风载荷作用下储罐结构动力可靠性问题，以300 m3的中小型立式低温储罐为研究对象，利用AR模型进行数值模拟得到风载荷的脉动风速时程与脉动功率谱密度函数。采用ANSYS建立储罐三维有限元模型，并对储罐进行动力学分析，计算出储罐结构的随机响应，进而求出随机风载荷作用下储罐结构动力可靠性所需全部数字特征，最后利用疲劳累积损伤机制计算得到储罐的动力可靠度。结果表明:假设结构强度不随时间退化，前5 a动力可靠度基本保持不变，随着使用年限的延长，动力可靠度下降速度明显增大。研究方法可为储罐的动力可靠性及寿命预测提供一定的理论依据。     

基于地震动参数的大型储罐潜在危险性评估方法研究

建设项目安全条件分析中有关自然条件影响分析内容通常采取定性方法加以研究。以地震对大型储罐造成的潜在危险性评估为研究对象,从地震动作用下储罐结构动力响应及破坏特征入手,详细介绍了美国联邦应急管理署(FEMA)开发的HAZUS-MH中的震害危险评估框架及理论模型。重点阐述了地震反应谱、承灾体脆弱性曲线、能力曲线以及需求曲线在危险性评估过程的应用及参数设定。以某大型低温液化气储罐为例,定量计算了地震潜在破坏程度及概率,借此说明该震害危险性评估框架和方法对我国安全评价工作的借鉴意义。     

原油储罐基础沉降在线监测与安全性研究

为满足我国各地原油储备及周转需要，油田企业建设有大型原油储罐。部分储罐随着服役年数的增加，出现由于储罐地基的不均匀沉降而导致的罐壁变形，进而浮盘不能自由升降的现象。通过对储罐基础实测沉降数据建立储罐有限元模型，由计算结果分析研究基础沉降储罐的结构响应，并提出该储罐的安全运行液位，可为使用年限较久的储罐的安全评估提供一定的指导。     

Blast damage to storage tanks and steel clad buildings

The 2005 Buncefield vapour cloud explosion showed the huge cost associated with blast damage to commercial property surrounding a major explosion incident. In most cases there was serious disruption to business activity; in many cases the buildings had to be demolished or abandoned for long periods until extensive repairs were carried out.Another key feature of this and other recent vapour cloud explosions has been the damage done to storage tanks. The blasts almost invariably cause immediate top and bund fires in any tanks surrounded by the vapour – even if they contain relatively high flashpoint materials such as diesel.The first part of this paper describes the patterns of damage observed in buildings in the industrial estates around Buncefield. Methods for assessing the degree of external and internal damage are presented.The second part of the paper deals with failure modes and ignition of various types of liquid storage tank during vapour cloud explosions. Again, the Buncefield data provides excellent examples that illustrate the importance of tank design, fill level, location relative to the cloud, etc.     

Effects of soil-structure interaction on fragility and seismic risk; a case study of power plant containment

Safety-related structures are designed to provide a safe environment for the occupants and equipment during and after earthquakes. This is due to the fact that any damage imposed to the systems might lead to catastrophic consequences. Seismic probabilistic risk assessment (SPRA) is a systematic approach for the quantification of the seismic risk. One of the crucial steps in this assessment is to determine the seismic capacity of the structures by fragility method. After a review of available methodologies, this article analyzes the seismic fragility for a typical power plant containment considering the effects of soil-structure interaction (SSI). The structure and underneath soil profile are analyzed as a unified model by the subtraction method. Two steps are considered for the assessment of seismic response: In the first step, a fixed-base hypothesis framework is implemented to the computational problem. The second step covers computations taking into account the SSI effects. Using the results of seismic response analysis and safety factor method, seismic fragility of the structure is computed and related fragility curves are developed. Finally, by comparing the fragility curves, the effects of SSI are quantified on the overall seismic risk.     

基于ANSYS的球型储罐抗震模拟分析

在地震作用下,球型储罐结构由于地震激发引起振动,从而使结构产生随时间变化的位移、速度、加速度、内力和变形。通过ANSYS结构动力学有限元程序对球型储罐结构进行抗震模拟分析,得出球壳与盖板连接区、支柱区域及拉杆区域三种典型的不连续结构及其应力云图,分析对比各区域的应力响应。数值模拟结果对建立健全重大危险源抗震安全体系及化工设施安全投入有着重要的理论意义     

Seismic response mitigation of chemical plant components by passive control techniques

This paper deals with the applicability of seismic passive control in major-hazard chemical installations. The objective is to show numerically and experimentally the applicability of Passive Control Techniques (PCT) in industrial plants. Consequently, the main components of a process plant are classified and collected into a limited number of classes; for each class, the main damages caused by past earthquakes are described and the most vulnerable components are identified. A synthesis of the effects of earthquakes on the different typologies of process components is also presented and the most suitable innovative seismic protection systems, in particular passive control techniques (PCT), are acknowledged. Finally, the effectiveness of PCT in reducing the seismic response of process plant components is proved by three representative case studies: a base isolated above-ground storage tank, a distillation column connected by elastoplastic dampers to the adjacent service frame and an application of non-conventional Tuned Mass Dampers to a support frame.     

大型原油商业储备油库火灾危险性数值模拟分析

石油储备油库多向大型化、复杂化方向发展,发生事故时扑救非常困难。为了深入探讨巨型油罐火灾发展趋势与规律、事故危害后果,结合宁夏惠安堡原油商业储备油库这一工程实例,采用基于大涡模拟的FDS模型作为模拟计算平台,对巨型油罐火灾的燃烧过程进行数值模拟计算。通过分析计算,得到烟气分布、温度分布、热辐射强度分布等火灾过程参数的变化趋势,以及在有风和无风状态下着火罐对相邻油罐的影响,探讨现行建设工程消防技术标准就储罐防火间距、火灾时对邻近罐体冷却设计要求运用于巨型储油罐时的消防安全状况,为巨型储油罐消防安全科学合理设计提供理论依据。     

Fire and explosion disasters occurred due to the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 11, 2011)

The Great East Japan Earthquake (magnitude 9.0 Mw: the moment magnitude scale, based on the seismic moment of the earthquake) occurred at 14:46, March 11, 2011. It triggered huge tsunami waves (seismic sea waves) that reached heights of up to about 20 m. In this paper, the fire and explosion disasters occurred due to the Great East Japan Earthquake are reported shortly. Some fires occurred in seacoast areas after tsunami attacks and some of them were spreading very widely to the tsunami flooded areas. It is important to study the mechanisms of such fires (tsunami fires) for preparing huge tsunami. After the earthquake, a very severe accident happened in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Three reactors experienced full meltdown. During this disaster, hydrogen explosions occurred and made the situation more serious. It has to be realized once again that the countermeasures for hydrogen explosions is indispensable. Also Large scale BLEVEs (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions) happened at LPG storage area in an oil refinery in Chiba Prefecture. This accident started from the falling down of an LPG storage tank by earthquake motions. The tank was heavier than usual, as it was filled with water (1.7 times heavier than LPG) for periodic inspection. Considering these disasters, we have to think about how we prepare the accident of low probability and of very severe consequence. Recently, the risk based approach is widely utilized. However, for such disasters it seems not enough to perform safety management only by risk based approach. Not only probabilistic approach (Risk), but also deterministic approach (Emergency plan, Mitigation technique) should be taken in account.     

可燃气体储罐区泄漏危险性定量分析

对位于某城市中心附近的可燃气体储罐区的气体泄漏危险性进行了分析,求出了下风向最大可燃范围和中毒范围.进行灵敏度分析以便识别风速、泄漏面积对泄漏危险性的影响.分析结果显示,风速、泄漏面积对泄漏危险性有显著影响.随着泄漏面积增大,下风向最大可燃范围增大;随着风速的增大,下风向最大可燃范围则减小.最后提出了若干安全措施的建议.     

Improved models of failure time for atmospheric tanks under the coupling effect of multiple pool fires

Fire accidents of chemical installations may cause domino effects in atmospheric tank farms, where a large amount of hazardous substances are stored or processed. Pool fire is a major form of fire accidents, and the thermal radiation from pool fire is the primary hazard of domino accidents. The coupling of multiple pool fires is a realistic and important accident phenomenon that enhances the propagation of domino accidents. However, previous research has mostly focused on the escalation of domino accidents induced by a single pool fire. To overcome the drawback, in this study, the failure of a storage tank under the coupling effect of multiple pool fires was studied in view of spatial and temporal synergistic process. The historical accident statistics indicated that the accident scenario of two-pool fires accounted for 30.6% in pool fires. The domino accident scenario involving three tanks is analyzed, and the typical layout of tanks is isosceles right triangle based on Chinese standard “GB50341-2014”. The thermal response and damage of a target tank heated by pool fires were numerically investigated. The volume of 500 m³, 3000 m³, 5000 m³ and 10000 m³ were selected. Flame temperature was obtained by FDS, and then was input onto the finite element model. The temperature field and stress field of target tanks were simulated by ABAQUS. The results showed that the temperature rise rate of the target tanks under multiple pool fires was higher than that under a single pool fire. The failure time of the tank under the coupling effect of multiple fires was lower than that under the superposition of multiple fires without the first stage. The stress and yield strength were compared to judge the failure of the target tank. The model of failure time for the tank under the coupling effect of pool fires was established. Through the verification, the deviation of this model is 4.02%, which is better than the deviation of 15.76% with Cozzani's model.     

近断层强震速度脉冲效应及连续梁桥减隔震特性分析

应用非线性时程分析的方法 ,对于减、隔震连续桥梁在近场地震作用下的有效性和响应特性 ,作了深入的研究。通过有代表性的脉冲型近场强震记录时程分析 ,提出了用速度脉冲峰值及其周期之积来表示速度脉冲能量的方法 ,计算表明近场地震速度脉冲波能近似表征地震动破坏能力的大小 ,它和桥梁结构承受的地震响应大体成正比例关系。铅芯橡胶隔震支座在近场地震作用下仍然适用 ,但对于个别脉冲型强震记录效果不够明显 ,支座参数有必要进行优化。