Reinforced Concrete Water Tank

Introduction-Reinforced concrete water tanks are constructed for storing

water. The design of reinforced concrete water tank is based on IS 3370: 2009
(Parts I – IV). The design depends on the location of tanks, i.e. overhead, on
ground or underground water tanks. The tanks can be made in different shapes
usually circular and rectangular shapes are mostly used. The tanks can be made
of reinforced concrete or even of steel. The overhead tanks (elevated tanks) are
usually elevated from the rooftop through column. In the other hand the
underground tanks are rested on the foundation.
1.Types of RCC water tank
Based on the water tank location and their shapes, they are classified as shown
in Table 1:

Table 1 types of RCC water tank based on their location and shapes
Types of water tanks

Based on water tank location Based on water tank shape

Underground tanks Rectangular tank

Tank resting on grounds Circular tank

Overhead tanks* Spherical tank

Intze tank

Circular tank with conical bottom

Fig.1:above ground RCC water tank

 Fig.2:under ground RCC water tank

Fig.3:overhead RCC water tank

Storage reservoirs and overhead tank are used to store water, liquid petroleum,
petroleum products and similar liquids. The force analysis of the reservoirs or
tanks is about the same irrespective of the chemical nature of the product. All
tanks are designed as crack free structures to eliminate any leakage. Water or
raw petroleum retaining slab and walls can be of reinforced concrete with
adequate cover to the reinforcement. Water and petroleum and react with
concrete and, therefore, no special treatment to the surface is required. Industrial
wastes can also be collected and processed in concrete tanks with few
exceptions. The petroleum product such as petrol, diesel oil, etc. are likely to
leak through the concrete walls, therefore such tanks need special membranes
to prevent leakage. Reservoir is a common term applied to liquid storage
structure and it can be below or above the ground level. Reservoirs below the
ground level are normally built to store large quantities of water whereas those
of overhead type are built for direct distribution by gravity flow and are usually
of smaller capacity.
 • OBJECTIVE
1. To make a study about the analysis and design of water tanks.

2. To make a study about the guidelines for the design of liquid retaining
structure according to IS Code.
3. To know about the design philosophy for the safe and economical design
of water tank.
4. To develop programs for the design of water tank of flexible base and rigid
base and the underground tank to avoid the tedious calculations.
5. In the end, the programs are validated with the results of manual
calculation given in Concrete Structure book.
• DESIGN REQUIREMENT OF CONCRETE (I. S. I)
In water retaining structure a dense impermeable concrete is required
therefore, proportion of fine and course aggregates to cement should be
such as to give high quality concrete.
Concrete mix weaker than M20 is not used. The minimum quantity of
cement in the concrete mix shall be not less than 30 k N/m3.
The design of the concrete mix shall be such that the resultant concrete is
sufficiently impervious. Efficient compaction preferably by vibration is
essential. The permeability of the thoroughly compacted concrete is
dependent on water cement ratio. Increase in water cement ratio increases
permeability, while concrete with low water cement ratio is difficult to
compact. Other causes of leakage in concrete are defects such as
segregation and honey combing. All joints should be made water-tight as
these are potential sources of leakage.
Design of iquid retaining structure is different from ordinary R.C.C,
structures as it requires that concrete should not crack and hence tensile
stresses in concrete should be within permissible limits.
A reinforced concrete member of liquid retaining structure is designed on
the usual principles ignoring tensile resistance of concrete in bending.
Additionally it should be ensured that tensile stress on the liquid retaining
face of the equivalent concrete section does not exceed the permissible
tensile strength of concrete .For calculation purposes the cover is also
taken into concrete area.
 Cracking may be caused due to restraint to shrinkage, expansion and
contraction of concrete due to temperature or shrinkage and swelling due
to moisture effects. Such restraint may be caused by
(i) The interaction between reinforcement and concrete during shrinkage due to
drying.
(ii) The boundary conditions.

(iii) The differential conditions prevailing through the large thickness of massive
concrete.
Use of small size bars placed properly, leads to closer cracks but of smaller
width. The risk of cracking due to temperature and shrinkage effects may be
minimized by limiting the changes in moisture content and temperature to
which the structure as a whole is subjected. The risk of cracking can also be
minimized by reducing the restraint on the free expansion of the structure with
long walls or slab founded at or below ground level, restraint can be
minimized by the provision of a sliding layer. This can be provided by
founding the structure on a flat layer of concrete with interposition of some
material to break the bond and facilitate movement.
In case length of structure is large it should be subdivided into suitable lengths
separated by movement joints, especially where sections are changed the
movement joints should be provided.
Where structures have to store hot liquids, stresses caused by difference in
temperature between inside and outside of the reservoir should be taken into
account.
The coefficient of expansion due to temperature change is taken as 11 x 10-
6/, C and coefficient of shrinkage may be taken as 450 x 10-6 for initial
shrinkage and 200 x 10-6 for drying shrinkage.
• JOINTS IN LIQUID RETAINING STRUCTURES
1. MOVEMENT JOINTS- There are three types of movement joints.
(i) Contraction Joint . It is a movement joint with deliberate discontinuity
without initial gap between the concrete on either side of the joint. The
purpose of this joint is to accommodate contraction of the concrete.
The joint is shown in Fig.1 .1 ( a).
 Figure 1.1 ( a)
A contraction joint may be either complete contraction joint or partial
contraction joint. A complete contraction joint is one in which both steel
and concrete are interrupted and a partial contraction joint is one in which
only the concrete is interrupted, the reinforcing steel running through as
shown in Fig.1. 1( b).

Figure 1.1 (b)

(ii) Expansion Joint -It is a joint with complete discontinuity in both

reinforcing steel and concrete and it is to accommodate either expansion
or contraction of the structure. A typical expansion joint is shown in
Fig.1. 2

Figure 1.2
 This type of joint requires the provision of an initial gap between the adjoining
parts of a structure which by closing or opening accommodates the expansion
or contraction of the structure.
(iii) Sliding Joint- It is a joint with complete discontinuity in both
reinforcement and concrete and with special provision to facilitate movement
in plane of the joint. A typical joint is shown in Fig. 1 .3

Figure 1.3
This type of joint is provided between wall and floor in some cylindrical
tank designs.
2. CONTRACTION JOINTS
This type of joint is provided for convenience in construction.Arrangement is
made to achieve subsequent continuity without relative movement. One
application of these joints is between successive lifts in a reservoir wall. A
typical joint is shown in Fig.1 .4.

Figure 1.4
The number of joints should be as small as possible and these joints should
be kept from possibility of percolation of water.
 3.Temporary joints

A gap is sometimes left temporarily between the concrete of adjoining parts

of a structure which after a suitable interval and before the structure is put to
use, is filled with mortar or concrete completely as in Fig. 1.5 ( a) or as shown
in Fig. 1. 5 ( b) and ( c) with suitable jointing materials. In the first case width
of the gap should be sufficient to allow the sides to be prepared before filling.

Figure 1.5 ( a)

Figure 1.5 (b)

Figure 1.5 ( c)
 4.Spacing Of Joints

Unless alternative effective means are taken to avoid cracks by allowing for
the additional stresses that may be induced by temperature or shrinkage
changes or by unequal settlement, movement joints should be provided at the
following spacing:-
a) In reinforced concrete floors, movement joints should be spaced at not more
than 7.5 m apart in two directions at right angles. The wall and floor joints
should be in l ine except where sliding joints occur at the base of the wall in
which correspondence is not so important.
(b) For floors with only nominal percentage of reinforcement ( smaller than the
minimum specified) the concrete floor should be cast in panels with sides not
more than 4.5m.
(c) In concrete walls, the movement joints should normally be placed at a
maximum spacing of 7 .5m. in reinforced walls and 6m in unreinforced walls.
The maximum length desirable between vertical movement joints will depend
upon the tensile strength of the walls, and may be increased by suitable
reinforcement. When a sliding layer is placed at the foundation of a wall, the
length of the wall that can be kept free of cracks depends on the capacity of wall
section to resist the friction induced at the plane of sliding. Approximately
the wall has to stand the effect of a force at the place of sliding equal to weight
of half the length of wall multiplied by the co- efficient of friction.
(d) Amongst the movement joints in floors and walls as mentioned above
expansion joints should normally be provided at a spacing of not more than
30 m between successive expansion joints or between the end of the structure
and the next expansion joint; all other joints being of the construction type.
(e) When, however, the temperature changes to be accommodated are abnormal
or occur more frequently than usual as in the case of storage of warm liquids or
in uninsulated roof slabs, a smaller spacing than 30m should be adopted that
is greater proportion of movement joints should be of the expansion type).
When the range of temperature is small, for example, in certain covered
structures, or where restraint is small, for example, in certain elevated structures
none of the movement joints provided in small structures up to 45mlength need
be of the expansion type. Where sliding joints are provided between the walls
and either the floor or roof, the provision of movement joints in each element
can be considered independently.

• GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS (I.S.I)

 1) Plain Concrete Structures. Plain concrete member of reinforced concrete
liquid retaining structure may be designed against structural failure by allowing
tension in plain concrete as per the permissible limits for tension in bending.
This will automatically take care of failure due to cracking. However,
nominal reinforcement shall be provided, for plain concrete structural
members.
2) Permissible Stresses in Concrete.
(a) For resistance to cracking- For calculations relating to the resistance of
members to cracking, the permissible stresses in tension ( direct and due to
bending) and shear shall confirm to the values specified in Table 1. The
permissible tensile stresses due to bending apply to the face of the member in
contact with the liquid. In members less than 225 mm. thick and in contact
with liquid on one side these permissible stresses in bending apply also to the
face remote from the liquid.
(b) For strength calculations. In strength calculations the permissible concrete
stresses shall be in accordance with Table 1 . Where the calculated shear
stress in concrete alone exceeds the permissible value, reinforcement acting
in conjunction with diagonal compression in the concrete shall be provided to
take the whole of the shear.
Table 1. Permissible concrete stresses in calculations relating to
resistance to cracking
Grade of concrete Permissible stress in KN/m^2 tension shear
Direct Bending
M15 1.1 1.5 1.5
M20 1.2 1.7 1.7
M25 1.3 1.8 1.9
M30 1.5 2.0 2.2
M35 1.6 2.2 2.5
M40 1.7 2.4 2.7
 Permissible Stress In Steel

(a) For resistance to cracking- When steel and concrete are assumed to act
together for checking the tensile stress in concrete for avoidance of crack, the
tensile stress in steel will be limited by the requirement that the permissible
tensile stress in the concrete is not exceeded so the tensile stress in steel shall
be equal to the product of modular ratio of steel and concrete, and the
corresponding allowable tensile stress in concrete.
For strength calculations .
In strength calculations the permissible stress shall be as follows:
(i) Tensile stress in member in direct tension 1000 kg/ cm2
(ii) Tensile stress in member in bending on
l iquid retaining face of members or face away from
l iquid for members less than 225 mm thick 1000 kg/ cm2
(iii) On face away from liquid for members 225mm or more
in thickness 1250 kg/ cm2

(iv )Tensile stress in shear reinforcement,

For members less than 225 mm thickness 1000 kg/ cm2
For members 225mm or more in thickness 1250 kg/ cm2
(v)Compressive stress in columns subjected to direct load 1250 kg/ cm2

• Stresses due to drying Shrinkage or Temperature Change

(i) Stresses due to drying shrinkage or temperature change may be ignored

provided that
(a) The permissible stresses specified above in (ii) and ( iii) are not otherwise
exceeded.
(b) Adequate precautions are taken to avoid cracking of concrete during the
construction period and until the reservoir is put into use.
(c) Recommendation regarding joints given in article 8. 3 and for suitable sliding
layer beneath the reservoir are complied with, or the reservoir is to be used
only for the storage of water or aqueous liquids at or near ambient
 temperature and the circumstances are such that the concrete will never dry
out.
(ii) Shrinkage stresses may however be required to be calculated in special

cases, when a shrinkage co- efficient of 300 x 10 -6may be assumed.

(iii) When the shrinkage stresses are allowed, the permissible stresses, tensile

stresses to concrete (direct and bending) as given in Table 1 may be

increased by 33. 33 per cent.

• Floors
(i) Provision of movement joints.
(ii) Floors of tanks resting on ground.
If the tank is resting directly over ground, floor may be constructed of
concrete with nominal percentage of reinforcement provided that it is
certain that the ground will carry the load without appreciable subsidence
in any part and that the concrete floor is cast in panels with sides not more
than 4.5m. with contraction or expansion joints between. In such cases a
screed or concrete layer less than 75mm thick shall first be placed on the
ground and covered with a sliding layer of bitumen paper or other suitable
material to destroy the bond between the screed and floor concrete.
In normal circumstances the screed layer shall be of grade not weaker
than M 10, where injurious soils or aggressive water are expected, the
screed layer shall be of grade not weaker than M 15 and if necessary a
sulphate resisting or other special cement should be used.

(iii) Floor of tanks resting on supports

(a) If the tank is supported on walls or other similar supports the floor slab shall

be designed as floor in buildings for bending moments due to water load and
self weight.
(b) When the floor is rigidly connected to the walls ( as is generally the case)

the bending moments at the junction between the walls and floors shall be
 taken into account in the design of floor together with any direct forces
transferred to the floor from the walls or from the floor to the wall due to
suspension of the floor from the wall.
If the walls are non-monolithic with the floor slab, such as in cases, where
movement joints have been provided between the floor slabs and walls, the
floor shall be designed only for the vertical loads on the floor.
(c) In continuous T-beams and L- beams with ribs on the side remote from the

liquid, the tension in concrete on the l iquid side at the face of the supports
shall not exceed the permissible stresses for controlling cracks in concrete.
The width of the slab shall be determined in usual manner for calculation of
the resistance to cracking of T-beam, L- beam sections at supports.
(d) The floor slab may be suitably tied to the walls by rods properly embedded in

both the slab and the walls. In such cases no separate beam (curved or straight)
is necessary under the wall, provided the wall of the tank itself is designed to
act as a beam over the supports under it.
(e) Sometimes it may be economical to provide the floors of circular tanks, in

the shape of dome. In such cases the dome shall be designed for the vertical
loads of the liquid over it and the ratio of its rise to its diameter shall be so
adjusted that the stresses in the dome are, as far as possible, wholly
compressive. The dome shall be supported at its bottom on the ring beam
which shall be designed for resultant circumferential tension in addition to
vertical loads.
 Walls

• Provision of joints

Where it is desired to allow the walls to expand or contract separately from the
floor, or to prevent moments at the base of the wall owing to fixity to the
floor, sliding joints may be employed.

The spacing of vertical movement joints should be as discussed in article 3 .3

while the majority of these joints may be of the partial or complete contraction
type, sufficient joints of the expansion type should be provided to satisfy the
requirements given in article

• Pressure on Walls

In liquid retaining structures with fixed or floating covers the gas pressure
developed above liquid surface shall be added to the liquid pressure.

When the wall of liquid retaining structure is built in ground, or has earth
embanked against it, the effect of earth pressure shall be taken into account.

• Walls or Tanks Rectangular or Polygonal in Plan

While designing the walls of rectangular or polygonal concrete tanks, the

following points should be borne in mind.

(a) In plane walls, the liquid pressure is resisted by both vertical and horizontal
bending moments. An estimate should be made of the proportion of the
pressure resisted by bending moments in the vertical and horizontal planes. The
direct horizontal tension caused by the direct pull due to water pressure on the
end walls, should be added to that resulting from horizontal bending moments.
On liquid retaining faces, the tensile stresses due to the combination of direct
horizontal tension and bending action shall satisfy the following condition:

(tí/t )+ ( Ûctí /Ûct ) ≤ 1

 tí = calculated direct tensile stress in concrete

t = permissible direct tensile stress in concrete ( Table 1

Û′ ct = calculated tensile stress due to bending in concrete.
Ûc t = permissible tensile stress due to bending in
concrete.
At the vertical edges where the walls of a reservoir are rigidly joined, horizontal
reinforcement and haunch bars should be provided to resist the horizontal
bending moments even if the walls are designed to withstand the whole load
as vertical beams or cantilever without lateral supports.

(c) In the case of rectangular or polygonal tanks, the side walls act as two- way
slabs, whereby the wall is continued or restrained in the horizontal direction,
fixed or hinged at the bottom and hinged or free at the top. The walls thus act
as thin plates subjected triangular loading and with boundary conditions
varying between full restraint and free edge. The analysis of moment and forces
may be made on the basis of any recognized method.

• Walls of Cylindrical Tanks.

While designing walls of cylindrical tanks the following points should be borne
in mind:

(a) Walls of cylindrical tanks are either cast monolithically with the base or
are set in grooves and key ways ( movement joints). In either case deformation
of wall under influence of liquid pressure is restricted at and above the base.
Consequently, only part of the triangular hydrostatic load will be carried by ring
tension and part of the load at bottom will be supported by cantilever action.

(b) It is difficult to restrict rotation or settlement of the base slab and it is

advisable to provide vertical reinforcement as if the walls were fully fixed at
the base, in addition to the reinforcement required to resist horizontal ring
tension for hinged at base, conditions of walls, unless the appropriate amount
of fixity at the base is established by analysis with due consideration to the
dimensions of the base slab the type of joint between the wall and slab, and ,
where applicable, the type of soil supporting the base slab.

• Roofs
(i) Provision of Movement joints.
To avoid the possibility of sympathetic cracking it is important to ensure that
movement joints in the roof correspond with those in the walls, if roof and walls
are monolithic. It, however, provision is made by means of a sliding joint for
movement between the roof and the wall correspondence of joints is not so
important.
(ii) Loading
Field covers of liquid retaining structures should be designed for gravity loads,
such as the weight of roof slab, earth cover if any, live loads and mechanical
equipment. They should also be designed for upward load if the liquid
retaining structure is subjected to internal gas pressure.
A superficial load sufficient to ensure safety with the unequal intensity of
loading which occurs during the placing of the earth cover should be allowed
for in designing roofs.
(iii) Water tightness
In case of tanks intended for the storage of water for domestic purpose, the roof
must be made water-tight. This may be achieved by limiting the stresses as for
the rest of the tank, or by the use of the covering of the waterproof membrane
or by providing slopes to ensure adequate drainage.

(iv) Protection against corrosion

Protection measure shall be provided to the underside of the roof to prevent
it from corrosion due to condensation.
 • Minimum Reinforcement

(a) The minimum reinforcement in walls, floors and roofs in each of two
directions at right angles shall have an area of 0 .3 per cent of the concrete
section in that direction for sections up to 100mm, thickness. For sections of
thickness greater than 100mm, and less than 450mm the minimum
reinforcement in each of the two directions shall be linearly reduced from 0.3
percent for 100 mm thick section to 0. 2 percent for 450mm, thick sections. For
sections of thickness greater than 450mm, minimum reinforcement in each of
the two directions shall be kept at 0 .2 per cent. In concrete sections of
thickness 225 mm or greater, two layers of reinforcement steel shall be placed
one near each face of the section to make up the minimum reinforcement.

(b) In special circumstances floor slabs may be constructed with percentage of

reinforcement less than specified above. In no case the percentage of
reinforcement in any member be less than 0,15% of gross sectional area of the
member.

• Minimum Cover to Reinforcement

(a) For liquid faces of parts of members either in contact with the liquid (such
as inner faces or roof slab) the minimum cover to all reinforcement should be
25mm or the diameter of the main bar whichever is grater. In the presence of the
sea water and soils and water of corrosive characters the cover should be
increased by 12mm but this additional cover shall not be taken into account for
design calculations.

(b) For faces away from liquid and for parts of the structure neither in contact
with the liquid on any face, nor enclosing the space above the liquid, the cover
shall be as for ordinary concrete member.
 • FLEXIBLE BASE CIRCULAR WATER TANK

For smaller capacities rectangular tanks are used and for bigger capacities circular
tanks are used . In circular tanks with flexible joint at the base tanks walls are
subjected to hydrostatic pressure . so the tank walls are designed as thin cylinder.
As the hoop tension gradually reduces to zero at top, the reinforcement is
gradually reduced to minimum reinforcement at top. The main reinforcement
consists of circular hoops. Vertical reinforcement equal to 0.3% of concrete are
is provided and hoop reinforcement is tied to this reinforcement.

STEP 1

DETERMINATION OF DIAMETER OF THE WATER TANK

Diameter= D=√(Q * 0 .004 ) / (( H - Fb) * 3 . 14)

Where Q= capacity of the water tank

H= height of the water tank

Fb= free board of the water tank

STEP 2

DESIGN OF DOME SHAPED ROOF

Thickness of dome = t= 100mm Live load = 1 .5KN/m 2

Self weight of dome = (t / 1000 ) * unit weight of concrete Finishes

load= 0 .1 KN/m2

Total load = live load + self weight + finishes load Central rise= r
=1m
Radius of dome = R= ((0. 5 * D) ^ 2 + r ^ 2) / ( 2 * r) cos A = ((R
- r) /R)

Meridional thrust = ( total load * R) / ( 1 + cosA)

Circumferential thrust = total load * R * (cos A - 1 / (1 + cosA))

Meridional stress = meridional thrust / t

Hoop stress = circumferential thrust / t

Reinforcement in both direction = 0. 3 * t* 10

Hoop tension = meridional thrust * cos A * D * 0.5

Reinforcement in top ring beam = topringbeam hoop tension /

Cross section area of top ring beam

= (hoop tension / PST direct) - (m - 1) * topringbeam

STEP 3

DETERMINATION OF HOOP REINFORCEMENT

HTi = 0. 5 * ( w * ( H - i) * D) Asi = HTi / Ts

Where, HTi=hoop tension at a depth of i from the top

Asi=hoop reinforcement at a depth of i from the top

STEP 4

DETERMINATION OF THICKNESS OF CYLINDRICAL

WALL HT = 0.5 * ( w * H * D)

t = 0. 001 * (HT1 / PSTdirect - (m - 1) * As) Where,

t=thickness of the wall

HT=hoop tension at the base of tank

PSTdirect=permissible stress due to direct tension As=hoop
reinforcement at base

STEP 5

DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT

Asv = ( 0.3 - 0. 1 * (t - 100 ) / 350 ) * t * 10

Where, Asv= vertical reinforcement of the wall t=thickness of the

wall

STEP 6

DESIGN OF BASE

Thickness of base = 150mm

Minimum reinforcement required=(0. 3/100)* 150 *1000mm2

• RIGID BASE CIRCULAR TANK

The design of rigid base circular tank can be done by the approximate method.
In this method it is assumed that some portion of the tank at base acts as
cantilever and thus some load at bottom are taken by the cantilever effect. Load
in the top portion is taken by the hoop tension. The cantilever effect will depend
on the dimension of the tank and the thickness of the wall. For H2/Dt between
6 to 12 , the cantilever portion may be assumed at H/3 or 1m from base
whichever is more. For H2/Dt between 6 to 12 , the cantilever portion may be
assumed at H/ 4 or 1m from base whichever is more.

STEP 1

DETERMINATION OF DIAMETER OF THE WATER TANK

Diameter= D=√(Q * 0 .004 ) / (( H - Fb) * 3 . 14) Where Q= capacity of

the water tank

H= height of the water tank

Fb= free board of the water tank

STEP 2

DESIGN OF DOME SHAPED ROOF

Thickness of dome = t= 100mm Live load = 1 .5KN/m 2

Self weight of dome = (t / 1000 ) * unit weight of concrete Finishes load= 0 .1

KN/m2

Total load = live load + self weight + finishes load Central rise= r =1m

Radius of dome = R= ((0. 5 * D) ^ 2 + r ^ 2) / ( 2 * r) cos A = ((R - r) /R)

Meridional thrust = ( total load * R) / ( 1 + cosA)

Circumferential thrust = total load * R * (cos A - 1 / (1 + cosA)) Meridional

stress = meridional thrust / t

Hoop stress = circumferential thrust / t

Reinforcement in both direction = 0. 3 * t* 10

Hoop tension = meridional thrust * cos A * D * 0.5

Reinforcement in top ring beam = topringbeam hoop tension / Cross section

area of top ring beam

= (hoop tension / PST direct) - (m - 1) * topringbeam

STEP 3

Assume the thickness of the wall=t = 0.15m

Find the value of H ^ 2 / ( D * t)

(i) 6 < H ^ 2 / (D * t) < 12

Cantilever height=H/ 3 or 1m ( which ever is more) (ii) 12 < H ^ 2 / ( D * t) <

30

Cantilever height=H/ 4 or 1m ( which ever is more)

STEP 4

DETERMINATION OF REINFORCEMENT IN WALL

Maximum hoop tension= pD/ 2

Where, p= w*(H- cantilever height)

w= unit weight of water

Area of steel required=maximum hoop tension/Ûst

STEP 5

DETERMINATION OF REINFORCEMENT IN CANTILEVER HEIGHT

Maximum bending moment = 0 .5 * (w * H) * ( cantileverht ^ 2) / 3 Effective

depth=t-40 mm

Area of steel required=maximum bending moment/(j* effective depth* Ûst )

STEP 6

DETERMINATION OF DISTRIBUTION STEEL IN WALL

Distribution steel provided = ( 0.3 - 0. 1 * (t - 100 ) / 350) * t * 10

STEP 7

DESIGN OF BASE

Thickness of base = 150mm

Minimum reinforcement required=(0. 3/100)* 150 *1000mm2

When the joints at base are flexible, hydrostatic pressure induces maximum increase in
diameter at base and no increase in diameter at top. This is due to fact that hydrostatic
pressure varies linearly from zero at top and maximum at base. Deflected shape of the
tank is shown in Fig. 6.5. When the joint at base is rigid, the base does not move. The
vertical wall deflects as shown in Fig. 6.5.
6.6.1.1 Design of Circular Tanks resting on ground with flexible base:
Maximum hoop tension in the wall is developed at the base. This tensile force T is
computed by considering the tank as thin cylinder
D
T  H ; Quantity of reinforcement
2
required in form of hoop steel is computed
T HD / 2
T as A st   or 0.3 % (minimum)
 st  st
When the thickness of the wall is less than
225 mm, the steel placed at centre. When the
thickness exceeds 225mm, at each face Ast/2
T of steel as hoop reinforcement is provided

In order to provide tensile stress in concrete to be less to be less than permissible stress,
the stress in concrete is computed using equation
T HD / 2
c   If c  cat, where cat=0.27fck, then the
A c  (m  1)A st 1000 t  (m  1)A st
section is from cracking, otherwise the thickness has to be increased so that c is less than
cat. While designing, the thickness of concrete wall can be estimated as t=30H+50 mm,
where H is in meters. Distribution steel in the form of vertical bars are provided such that
minimum steel area requirement is satisfied. As base slab is resting on ground and no
bending stresses are induced hence minimum steel distributed at bottom and the top are
provided

Design Problem:
Design a circular water tank with flexible connection at base for a capacity of 4,00,000
liters. The tank rests on a firm level ground. The height of tank including a free board of
200 mm should not exceed 3.5m. The tank is open at top. Use M 20 concrete and Fe 415
steel. Draw to a suitable scale:
i) Plan at base
ii) Cross section through centre of tank.

Solution:
Step 1: Dimension of tank
Depth of water H=3.5 -0.2 = 3.3 m
Volume V = 4,00,000/1000 = 400 m3
Area of tank A = 400/3.3 = 121.2 m2
4A
Diameter of tank D   12.42m 13 m

The thickness is assumed as t = 30H+50=149 160 mm
Step 2: Design of Vertical wall
D 10  3.3  13
Max hoop tension at bottom T  H   214.5kN
2 2
T T 214.5  10 3
Area of steel A st     1430 mm 2
 st  st 150
Minimum steel to be provided
Ast min=0.24%of area of concrete = 0.24x 1000x160/100 = 384 mm2
The steel required is more than the minimum required
Let the diameter of the bar to be used be 16 mm, area of each bar =201 mm 2
Spacing of 16 mm diameter bar=1430x 1000/201= 140.6 mm c/c
Provide #16 @ 140 c/c as hoop tension steel
Step 3: Check for tensile stress
Area of steel provided Ast provided=201x1000/140 = 1436.16 mm2
280 280
Modular ratio m=   13.33
3 cbc 3  7
T 214.5  10 3
Stress in concrete  c    1.2 N/mm 2
1000 t  (m  1)A st 1000  160  (13.33  1)1436
Permissible stress cat=0.27fck= 1.2 N/mm2
Actual stress is equal to permissible stress, hence safe.
Step 4: Curtailment of hoop steel:
Quantity of steel required at 1m, 2m, and at top are tabulated. In this table the maximum
spacing is taken an 3 x 160 = 480 mm

Height from top Hoop tension Ast= T/st Spacing of #16

T =HD/2 (kN) mm c/c
2.3 m 149.5 996 200
1.3 m 84.5 563.33 350
2
Top 0 Min steel (384 mm ) 400

Step 5: Vertical reinforcement:

For temperature and shrinkage distribution steel in the form of vertical reinforcement is
provided @ 0.24 % ie., Ast=384 mm2.
Spacing of 10 mm diameter bar = 78.54x1000/384=204 mm c/c  200 mm c/c

Step 6: Tank floor:

As the slab rests on firm ground, minimum steel @ 0.3 % is provided. Thickness of slab
is assumed as 150 mm. 8 mm diameter bars at 200 c/c is provided in both directions at
bottom and top of the slab.

11
12
6.6.1.2 Design of Circular Tanks resting on ground with rigid base:
Due to fixity at base of wall, the upper part of the wall will have hoop tension and lower
part bend like cantilever. For shallow tanks with large diameter, hoop stresses are very
small and the wall act more like cantilever. For deep tanks of small diameter the
cantilever action due to fixity at the base is small and the hoop action is predominant.
The exact analysis of the tank to determine the portion of wall in which hoop tension is
predominant and the other portion in which cantilever action is predominant, is difficult.
Simplified methods of analysis are
i) Reissner’s method
ii) Carpenter’s simplified method
iii) Approximate method
iv) IS code method
Use of IS code method for analysis and design of circular water tank with rigid base is
studied in this course.
IS code method
Tables 9,10 and 11 of IS 3370 part IV gives coefficients for computing hoop tension,
moment and shear for various values of H2/Dt
Hoop tension, moment and shear is computed as
T= coefficient ( wHD/2)
M= coefficient (wH3)
V= coefficient (wH2)
Thickness of wall required is computed from BM consideration ie.,
M
d
Qb
where,
Q= ½ cbcjk
m cbc
k
m cbc   st
j=1-(k/3)
b = 1000mm
Providing suitable cover, the over all thickness is then computed as t = d+cover.
Area of reinforcement in the form of vertical bars on water face is computed as
M T
 A st  . Area of hoop steel in the form of rings is computed as A st1 
 st jd  st
Distribution steel and vertical steel for outer face of wall is computed from minimum
steel consideration.
Tensile stress computed from the following equation should be less than the permissible
stress for safe design
T
c  and the permissible stress is 0.27 fck
1000 t  (m  1)A st
Base slab thickness generally varies from 150mm to 250 mm and minimum steel is
distributed to top and bottom of slab.

13
Design Problem No.1:
A cylindrical tank of capacity 7,00,000 liters is resting on good unyielding ground. The
depth of tank is limited to 5m. A free board of 300 mm may be provided. The wall and
the base slab are cast integrally. Design the tank using M20 concrete and Fe415 grade
steel . Draw the following
i) Plan at base
ii) Cross section through centre of tank.

Solution:
Step 1: Dimension of tank
H= 5-0.3 = 4.7 and volume V = 700 m3
A=700/4.7 = 148.94 m2
D= (4 x 148.94/) = 13.77 14 m
Step 2: Analysis for hoop tension and bending moment
One meter width of the wall is considered and the thickness of the wall is estimated as
t=30H+50 = 191 mm. The thickness of wall is assumed as 200 mm.
H2 4 .7 2
  7.89  8
Dt 14  0.2
Referring to table 9 of IS3370 (part IV), the maximum coefficient for hoop
tension = 0.575
Tmax=0.575 x 10 x 4.7 x 7 =189.175 kN
Referring to table 10 of IS3370 (part IV), the maximum coefficient for
bending moment = -0.0146 (produces tension on water side)
Mmax= 0.0146 x 10 x 4.73=15.15 kN-m

Step 3: Design of section:

For M20 concrete cbc=7, For Fe415 steel st=150 MPa and m=13.33 for M20 concrete
and Fe415 steel
The design constants are:
m cbc
k  0.39
m cbc   st
j=1-(k/3)=0.87
Q= ½ cbcjk = 1.19
Effective depth is calculated as Step 3: Design of section:
For M20 concrete cbc=7, For Fe415 steel st=150 MPa and m=13.33 for M20 concrete
and Fe415 steel
The design constants are:
m cbc
k  0.39
m cbc   st
j=1-(k/3)=0.87
Q= ½ cbcjk = 1.19
M 15.15x10 6
Effective depth is calculated as d    112.94mm
Qb 1.19 x1000

14
Let over all thickness be 200 mm with effective cover 33 mm dprovided=167 mm
M 15.15x10 6
A st    695.16mm 2
 st jd 150 x 0.87 x167

201x1000
Spacing of 16 mm diameter bar =  289.23mmc / c (Max spacing 3d=501mm)
695.16
Provide #16@275 c/c as vertical reinforcement on water face
T 189.275x10 3
Hoop steel: A st1    1261mm 2
 st 150
113x1000
Spacing of 12 mm diameter bar =  89.mmc / c
1261
Provide #12@80 c/c as hoop reinforcement on water face
113x1000
Actual area of steel provided A st   1412.5mm 2
80

Step 4: Check for tensile stress:

T 189.275x10 3
c    0.87 N / mm 2
1000 t  (m  1)A st 1000 x 200  (13.33  1) x1412.5
Permissible stress = 0.27fck=1.2 N/mm2 > c Safe

Step 5: Distribution Steel:

Minimum area of steel is 0.24% of concrete area
Ast=(0.24/100) x1000 x 200 = 480 mm2
50.24 x1000
Spacing of 8 mm diameter bar =  104.7.mmc / c
480

Provide #8 @ 100 c/c as vertical and horizontal distribution on the outer face.

Step 5: Base slab:

The thickness of base slab shall be 150 mm. The base slab rests on firm ground, hence
only minimum reinforcement is provided.
Ast=(0.24/100) x1000 x 150 = 360 mm2
Reinforcement for each face = 180 mm2
50.24 x1000
Spacing of 8 mm diameter bar =  279.mmc / c
180

Provide #8 @ 250 c/c as vertical and horizontal distribution on the outer face.

15
16
Design Problem No.2:
Design a circular water tank to hold 5,50,000 liters of water. Assume rigid joints between
the wall and base slab. Adopt M20 concrete and Fe 415 steel. Sketch details of
reinforcements.

Solution:
Step 1: Dimension of tank
Volume of tank V=550 m3
Assume H= 4.5
A=550/4.5 = 122.22 m2
D= (4 x 122.22/) = 12.47 12.5 m
Step 2: Analysis for hoop tension and bending moment
One meter width of the wall is considered and the thickness of the wall is estimated as
t=30H+50 = 185 mm. The thickness of wall is assumed as 200 mm.
H2 4 .5 2
  8 .1  8
Dt 12.5  0.2
Referring to table 9 of IS3370 (part IV), the maximum coefficient for hoop
tension = 0.575
Tmax=0.575 x 10 x 4.5 x 6.25 =161.72 kN
Referring to table 10 of IS3370 (part IV), the maximum coefficient for
bending moment = -0.0146 (produces tension on water side)
Mmax= 0.0146 x 10 x 4.53=13.3 kN-m

Step 3: Design of section:

For M20 concrete cbc=7, For Fe415 steel st=150 MPa and m=13.33 for M20 concrete
and Fe415 steel
The design constants are:
m cbc
k  0.39
m cbc   st
j=1-(k/3)=0.87
Q= ½ cbcjk = 1.19
M 13.3x10 6
Effective depth is calculated as d    105.7 mm
Qb 1.19 x1000
Let over all thickness be 200 mm with effective cover 33 mm dprovided=167 mm
M 13.3x10 6
A st    610.27 mm 2
 st jd 150 x 0.87 x167

201x1000
Spacing of 16 mm diameter bar =  329.36mmc / c (Max spacing 3d=501mm)
610.27
Provide #16@300 c/c as vertical reinforcement on water face
T 161.72 x10 3
Hoop steel: A st1    1078.13mm 2
 st 150

17
 113x1000
Spacing of 12 mm diameter bar =  104mmc / c
1078.13
Provide #12@100 c/c as hoop reinforcement on water face
113x1000
Actual area of steel provided A st   1130mm 2
100

Step 4: Check for tensile stress:

T 161.72 x10 3
c    0.76 N / mm 2
1000 t  (m  1)A st 1000 x 200  (13.33  1) x1130
Permissible stress = 0.27fck=1.2 N/mm2 > c Safe

Step 5: Distribution Steel:

Minimum area of steel is 0.24% of concrete area
Ast=(0.24/100) x1000 x 200 = 480 mm2
50.24 x1000
Spacing of 8 mm diameter bar =  104.7.mmc / c
480

Provide #8 @ 100 c/c as vertical and horizontal distribution on the outer face.

Step 5: Base slab:

The thickness of base slab shall be 150 mm. The base slab rests on firm ground, hence
only minimum reinforcement is provided.
Ast=(0.24/100) x1000 x 150 = 360 mm2
Reinforcement for each face = 180 mm2
50.24 x1000
Spacing of 8 mm diameter bar =  279.mmc / c
180

Provide #8 @ 250 c/c as vertical and horizontal distribution on the outer face.

18
19
6.6.2 Rectangular tank with fixed base resting on ground :
Rectangular tanks are used when the storage capacity is small and circular tanks prove
uneconomical for small capacity. Rectangular tanks should be preferably square in plan
from point of view of economy. It is also desirable that longer side should not be greater
than twice the smaller side.
Moments are caused in two directions of the wall ie., both in horizontal as well as in
vertical direction. Exact analysis is difficult and such tanks are designed by approximate
methods. When the length of the wall is more in comparison to its height, the moments
will be mainly in the vertical direction, ie., the panel bends as vertical cantilever. When
the height is large in comparison to its length, the moments will be in the horizontal
direction and panel bends as a thin slab supported on edges. For intermediate condition
bending takes place both in horizontal and vertical direction.
In addition to the moments, the walls are also subjected to direct pull exerted by water
pressure on some portion of walls. The walls are designed both for direct tension and
bending moment.
`
TT
B C
T T

p=H
B
FBD OF AD
IN PLAN
A D
L T
PLAN @ BASE FBD OF AB
IN PLAN
0.5b 0.5b
+ y

a
-

Bending moment diagram

IS3370 (Part-IV) gives tables for moments and shear forces in walls for certain edge
condition. Table 3 of IS3370 provides coefficient for max Bending moments in
horizontal and vertical direction.
Maximum vertical moment = Mxwa3 ( for x/a = 1, y=0)
Maximum horizontal moment = Mywa3(for x/a = 0, y=b/2)

20
Tension in short wall is computed as Ts=pL/2
Tension in long wall TL=pB/2
Horizontal steel is provided for net bending moment and direct tensile force
M'
Ast=Ast1+Ast2; A st1  ; M’=Maximum horizontal bending moment – T x; x= d-D/2
 st jd
d D/2
Ast2=T/st x T

Design problem No.1

Design a rectangular water tank 5m x 4m with depth of storage 3m, resting on ground
and whose walls are rigidly joined at vertical and horizontal edges. Assume M20
concrete and Fe415 grade steel. Sketch the details of reinforcement in the tank
Solution:
Step1: Analysis for moment and tensile force

E
C A

Free
a=H=3m
F
b=4m
Fixed
B
D
L=5m

i) Long wall:
L/a=1.671.75; at y=0, x/a=1, Mx=-0.074; at y=b/2, x/a=1/4, My=-0.052
Max vertical moment = Mx wa3 = -19.98
Max horizontal moment = My wa3 = -14.04; Tlong=wab/2=60 kN
ii) Short wall:
B/a=1.331.5; at y=0, x/a=1, Mx=-0.06; at y=b/2, x/a=1/4, My=-0.044
Max vertical moment = Mx wa3 = -16.2
Max horizontal moment = My wa3 = -11.88; Tshort=waL/2=75 kN

21
Step2: Design constants
cbc=7 MPa, st=150 MPa, m=13.33
m cbc
k  0.38
m cbc   st
j=1-(k/3)=0.87
Q= ½ cbcjk = 1.15
Step3: Design for vertical moment
For vertical moment, the maximum bending moment from long and short wall
(Mmax)x=-19.98 kN-m
M 19.98x10 6
d   131.8mm
Qb 1.15x1000

Assuming effective cover as 33mm, the thickness of wall is

t=131.88+33=164.8 mm170 mm
dprovided=170-33=137mm
M 19.98x10 6
A st    1117.54mm 2
 st jd 150 x 0.87 x137
113x1000
Spacing of 12 mm diameter bar =  101.2 mmc / c (Max spacing 3d=411mm)
1117.54
Provide #12 @ 100 mm c/c
Distribution steel
Minimum area of steel is 0.24% of concrete area
Ast=(0.24/100) x1000 x 170 = 408 mm2
50.24 x1000
Spacing of 8 mm diameter bar =  123.19mmc / c
408

Provide #8 @ 120 c/c as distribution steel.

Provide #8 @ 120 c/c as vertical and horizontal distribution on the outer face.
Step4: Design for Horizontal moment
Horizontal moments at the corner in long and short wall produce unbalanced moment at
the joint. This unbalanced moment has to be distributed to get balanced moment using
moment distribution method.

A C 1 1 9
14.4 K AC  ; K AC  ;  K 
5 5 20
11.88
1/ 5
DFAC   0.44
9 / 20
1/ 4
DFAB   0.56
B 9 / 20

22
Moment distribution Table
Joint A
Member AC AB
DF 0.44 0.56
FEM -14 11.88
Distribution 0.9328 1.1872
Final Moment -13.0672 13.0672
The tension in the wall is computed by considering the section at height H 1 from the base.
Where, H1 is greater of i) H/4, ii) 1m, ie., i) 3/4=0.75, ii) 1m; H1= 1m
Depth of water h=H-H1=3-1-2m; p=wh=10 x 2= 20 kN/m2
Tension in short wall Ts=pL/2=50 kN
Tension in long wall TL=pB/2= 40 kN
Net bending moment M’=M-Tx, where, x= d-D/2=137-(170/2)=52mm
M’=13.0672-50 x 0.052=10.4672 kN-m
10.4672 x10 6
A st1   585.46mm 2
150 x 0.87 x137
50 x10 3
A st 2   333.33mm 2
150
Ast=Ast1+Ast2=918.79 mm2
113x1000
Spacing of 12 mm diameter bar =  123 mmc / c (Max spacing 3d=411mm)
918.74
Provide #12@120 mm c/c at corners

Step5: Base Slab:

The slab is resting on firm ground. Hence nominal thickness and reinforcement is
provided. The thickness of slab is assumed to be 200 mm and 0.24% reinforcement is
provided in the form of #8 @ 200 c/c. at top and bottom
A haunch of 150 x 150 x 150 mm size is provided at all corners

23
24