Load distribution of support columns of spherical tank

Case 1 Case 2

Notation:

1. Bending moment:

Mmax = FmaxL

Where: Fmax = Max(Fw, Fs+ 0.25Fw) – maximum horizontal force (N)

L = Ho – l

2. Vertical load on support column due to M max:

Fi = -2Mmaxcosi/(nR)
Where: Fi: vertical load on ith support column due to Mmax

i: orientation angle of support column ; Case 1: i = i(360/n) ; Case 2: i = (i-1/2)(360/n)

i denotes the series number of support columns within the range of 0 o – 180o

3. Vertical load on support column due to the tie rods

When all adjacent support columns are connected by tie rods, the vertical load due to support
column are as below:

l Fmax sinθ j
Pi− j =
180
nR sin
n
Where Pi-j: Vertical load on ith support column due to jth tie rod (N)

i = j+1, j = 0, 1, 2, 3, …

j: onrientation angle of jth tie rod; Case 1: i = (j+1/2)(360/n) ; Case 2: i = j(360/n)

4. Maximum total vertical load on support column:

Fv = W/n + Max(Fi+Pi-j)

Where: W: Weight of spherical shell and content in operating condition

5. Maximum total horizontal load on support column:

Fh = 2Fmax/n

6. Maximum axial load on tie rods:

FT = (Pi-j)Max/cos