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Design of RCC Rectangular Water Tank: A Comparative Study Between

Approximate and IS Code Method

Article  in  SSRN Electronic Journal · January 2019

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3353083

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SSRN-ELSEVIER (2018-2019)

International conference on “Recent Advances in Interdisciplinary Trends in Engineering &

Applications”

Design of RCC Rectangular Water Tank: A Comparative

Study Between Approximate and IS Code Method.
a b
Vineet Kumar Saha , Ashish Nim
a
Undergraduate, Civil Engineering Department, 22 C Rajendra Nagar, Indore and 452012, India
b
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, 212-213 new Umariya colony, Indore and 453331, India

Abstract

Enormous research has been made to meet the water demand either on commercial or public level via RCC tank supply.
Meanwhile minimal researches are made on rectangular RCC water tanks. Tanks are significantly used as storage structure
which can be either below or above from ground level to store liquid petroleum, water, petroleum products and in-
distinguishable liquids. The paper emphasizes on analytical comparison to justify the effectiveness of rectangular water
tank for nominal capacity in terms of material feasibility design by approximate method and IS code method. When
compared, several parameters such as moment, direct tension & depth of vertical walls as well as slab got analysed in
which IS code method overwhelmed approximate method. IS code method have been proved economical & feasible
during design. The tanks resting on ground are directly supported on levelled ground and the walls of these tanks are
subjected to hydrostatic pressure while the base of the tank is subjected to weight of liquid with upward soil pressure. The
base performs no special structural function and can be designed with the minimum required steel. To have complete
construction overview including technical and financial estimation of rectangular RCC water tanks, our basic objective is
to create a good service with functional utility at an acceptable cost.

Keywords: Water tank, WSM (Working State Method), Economic, Feasible, Design moment, Depth, Suitability.

1. Introduction

Storage reservoirs or reservoir tanks are used to store liquid petroleum, water, petroleum products and alike
liquids. The design and force analysis of tank is same irrespective of chemical nature of the product and
designed as the crack free structures to abolish any leakage. Water or liquid petroleum retaining slab or walls
could be of reinforced concrete with sufficient cover to the reinforcement, adequate cover is necessary to
resist corrosion of reinforcement. To avoid any leakage and to supply ample strength, concrete of grade M25
and above is endorsed for liquid retaining structures. No special treatment to the surface is required as water
does not react with concrete. Tanks are significantly used as storage structure, which can be either below or
above from ground level. Reservoirs below the ground level are commonly built to store large quantities of
water while those of overhead types are built for direct distribution by gravity flow. For concrete it has to be
impervious higher density of concrete should be achieved and to achieve imperviousness, proper compaction
with adequate water cement (w/c) ratio using vibrators should be implemented (as w/c ratio is directly
proportional to permeability of concrete). Cement content varying from 330 Kg/m3 to 530 Kg/m3 is
considered in order to acquire low shrinkage. The higher head of liquid pertain more leakage; meanwhile it
has been observed that, no leakage problem occurred up to 15 m water head. For construction of liquid
retaining structures, high strength deformed bars of grade Fe415 are recommended however mild steel bars are
rarely took in consideration. Proper placing of reinforcement with high strength deformed bars leads to vanish
crack distribution, however crack width of 0.10 mm can be tolerated as permissible value for liquid retaining
structures while designing for liquid retaining structures “Code of Practice for the storage of Liquids- IS 3370
(Part I to IV)” are recommended. Flexural strength of concrete is evaluated as per clause 6.2.2 of IS 456 –

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 Vineet Kumar Saha / SSRN-ELSEVIER (2018-19) 000–000

2000, using formula fcr=0.7√fck MPa. In order to minimize cracking due to shrinkage and temperature,
minimum reinforcement is recommended as:

• For thickness ≤ 100 mm = 0.3%

• For thickness ≥ 450 mm = 0.2%
• For thickness between 100 mm to 450 mm = varies linearly from 0.3% to 0.2%

For concrete thickness ≥ 225 mm, two layers of reinforcement to be placed, i.e. on both faces. Cover to
reinforcement should be;

• 25 mm,
• Diameter of main bar.

1.1 Introduction to Working State Method

In this method the concrete and steel are assumed to be elastic. At the worst combination of working loads, the
stresses in materials are not exceeded beyond permissible stresses. For different grades of concrete and steel,
permissible stresses given in Tables 21 and 22 of IS 456-2000. The modular ratio ‘m’ of composite material
i.e., the ratio of modulus of elasticity of steel to modulus of elasticity of concrete. But the code stipulates the
value of ‘m as m = 280/ σcbc’ in bending compression, where σcbc is the permissible stress in concrete.

!ℴ#$#
• K=
!ℴ#$#!ℴ"#

• j = [ 1 – K/3]

• Q = σcbc x j x K / 2

Table 1. Design constants

Concrete Steel σcbc m σst k j Q

Grade Grade

M20 Fe415 7 13.33 130 0.417 0.861 1.26

M25 Fe415 8.5 10.98 130 0.418 0.86 1.53

M30 Fe415 10 9.34 130 0.418 0.86 1.8

2. Literature review

G. Hemlatha, J. Tejaswi (2012)

This project entitled design of RCC overhead water tanks. This project gives in brief, the theory behind the
design of liquid retaining structure (Elevated circular water tank with domed roof and conical base) using
working stress method. Elements are design in limit state method.

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 Vineet Kumar Saha / SSRN-ELSEVIER (2018-19) 000–000

Gurudutta Ajay Avinashe (2015)

The paper presents current practices of designing of RCC Overhead water tanks in India. Mostly Excel
Sheets are used for the design. But these can also be designed using VB.net giving it a Software Interface.
The designs are based in Indian Standard Codes. Visual Basic 2010 is used for programming. This is an
effort developing a powerful computer program for design of water tank which will be used by students and
professional structural designers. This program will give every reference and calculations in a single
interface. Standard examples were taken while writing the program and the results were cross checked and
found out to be correct.

Dr GS Suresh (2007)
This paper entitled the design of water tank. Storage tanks are built for storing water, liquid petroleum,
petroleum products and similar liquids. Analysis and design of such tanks are independent of chemical nature
of product. They are designed as crack free structures to eliminate any leakage. Adequate cover to
reinforcement is necessary to prevent corrosion. In order to avoid leakage and to provide higher strength
concrete of grade M20 and above is recommended for liquid retaining structures.

Nibedita Sahoo (2008)

This project gives in brief, the theory behind the design of liquid retaining structure (circular water tank with
flexible and rigid base and rectangular underground water tank) using working stress method. This report
also includes computer subroutines to analyze and design circular water tank with flexible and rigid base and
rectangular underground water tank. The program has been written as Macros in Microsoft Excel using
Visual Basic programming language. In the end, the programs are validated with the results of manual
calculation given in “Concrete Structure” book.

Dona Rose K J, Sreekumar M, Anumod A S (2015)

This project entitled response of the elevated circular type water tanks to dynamic forces. Overhead water
tanks consist of huge water mass at the top of a slender staging which are most critical consideration for the
failure of the tank.

3. Objective and Importance of project

• The main aspect of our project is to justify the effectiveness of rectangular water tank for nominal
capacity in terms of material feasibility as well as to fulfil water and fire demand.

• The whole design philosophy of the project will be studied deeply with all construction parameters and
executed as per codal provisions.

• To design Rectangular Overhead RCC water tank by analysing required parameters as per codal provision
including fire demand.

• Comparison of above designed RCC and Steel water tanks in terms of:
• Economy,
• Serviceability,

• Project’s main objective is to create a good service with functional utility at an acceptable cost and within
a reasonable time of construction

4. Analysis & design

4.1 Population of day scholars & hostelites (IES IPS Academy, Indore).

• Total number of day scholars (Engineering block & Pharmacy) = 5600*

• Total number of hostilities (Male & females) = 300*

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 Vineet Kumar Saha / SSRN-ELSEVIER (2018-19) 000–000

• Water requirement in Litres Per Capita per Day(lpcd)

• Water demand for Day scholars = 45 lpcd
• Water demand for Hostels = 135 lpcd

*As per Ips academy website & manual survey.

4.2 Capacity of water tank

Capacity is evaluated by combination of two parameters:

Ø Water demand (including water losses)
Ø Fire demand.

Calculation of water demand:

Water demand = (Summation of products of water demand for day scholars & hostilities)
= (5600 X 45 + 300 X 135 + 10% water losses)
= 306000 lpcd.

Calculation of fire demand:

• Kuichling’s formula
Q = 3182√𝑃 = 7795 lpcd
where, Q = Quantity of water in lpcd
P = Population in thousand
• Buston’s formula
Q = 5662√𝑃 = 13872 lpcd

• Freeman’s formula
Q = 1136(P/5 + 10) = 12724 lpcd

• National board of fire underwriter’s formula

Q = 4637√(1-0.01√𝑃) = 11080 lpcd

Adopting maximum value of fire demand

Q = 13872 lpcd = 14000 lpcd

Net water demand = (water demand + fire demand)

= (306000 + 14000) lpcd
= 320000 lpcd

Hence, Capacity of water tank

Q = 320000 lpcd
Q = 320 cu. M

Size of rectangular water tank = 10m x 8m x 4m

Grade of cement concrete used is M30 (as per IS 3370 part 1, table no.- 1)
Grade of steel used is Fe415
Free board (F.B) taken = 250 mm

4.3 Design by approximate method

Design problem:
Design a rectangular water tank resting on ground for a capacity of 3,20,000 liters (Size 10m x 8m x 4m)
having flat bottom and top by using M 30 concrete and Fe 415 steel. Draw the suitable:

Ø Plan of tank.
Ø Central cross section of tank.

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Solution
Step- 1: Given data
Size of tank = 10m x 8m x 4m
Fck = 30 MPa
Fy = 415 Mpa
σcbc = 10 MPa
γw = 10 KN/m3

Step 2: Design Constants & L/B ratio

• Modular ratio(m)
m = 280/ 3σcbc = 9.34
• K = mσcbc / (mσcbc + σst) = 0.418
• j = [ 1 – K/3] = 0.860
• Q = σcbc x j x K / 2 = 1.80

L/B Ratio = 10/8 =1.25< 2

• In this case both long wall & short wall will act like cantilever for the length upto H/4 or 1m from base
and,
• For length above H/4 or 1m, continuous frame action (i.e. direct tension) is there.
• H/4 = 1m
• Pressure at 1m (P) = γ (H-h) = 30 KN/m2

Step 3: Continuous frame action

Since P = 30 KN/m2

• Along short wall

B.M. at corner = P. B2/12 = 160 KN-m
• Along long wall
B.M. at corner = P. L2/12 = 250 KN-m

Distribution of moment using MDM (Moment Distribution Method).

Unbalanced moment is produced at the corners in short wall and long wall due to horizontal moments. This
unbalanced moment using moment distribution method has to be distributed to get balanced moment.
A B
250
Joints A
160
Members AD AB
D.F 0.55 0.45
F.E.M 160 -250
Distribution 49.5 40.5
Final Moment 209.5 209.5
D

Thus, maximum design moment = 209.50 KN-m

Overall Depth of walls:
Effective depth of wall (d)
!
d=√ = 350 mm
! .!

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Overall depth, t =350 + Cover = 350 + 50

t = 400 mm

Step 4: Design of Long Wall (L.W)

Direct tension = γ (H-h) x B/2 = 120 KN
x = d – t/2 = 160 mm
Design moment at negative span
Md = 209.5 – 120 x 0.16
= 190.30 KN-m
Area of steel (Ast) for horizontal resistance
!! !
(Ast)req. = [ ] + [ ] = 5786.36 mm2
!!" ! ! ! ! !!"
Provide 25 mm φ @ 80 mm C/C at supports on inner face & curtailing half of the bars at distance 1 m from
supports.
Similarly

Design moment at mid-span

Md = 187.5 – 120 x 0.16
= 168.30 KN-m
Area of steel (Ast)for horizontal resistance
!! !
(Ast)req. = [ ] + [ ] = 5224.13 mm2
!!" ! ! ! ! !!"
Provide 25 mm φ @ 90 mm C/C at center of outer face & curtailing half of the bars at supports.

Step 4: Design of Short Wall (S.W)

Direct tension = γ (H-h) x B/2 = 150 KN
x = d – t/2 = 160 mm
Design moment at negative span
Md = 209.5 – 150 x 0.16
= 185.50 KN-m
Area of steel (Ast)for horizontal resistance
!! !
(Ast)req. = [ ] + [ ]= 5894.45 mm2
!!" ! ! ! ! !!"
Provide 25 mm φ @ 80 mm C/C at supports on inner face & curtailing half of the bars at distance 1 m from
supports.

Similarly,
Design moment at mid-span
Md = 120 – 150 x 0.16
= 96 KN-m
Area of steel (Ast) for horizontal resistance
!! !
(Ast)req. = [ ] + [ ]= 3529.16 mm2
!!" ! ! ! ! !!"
Provide 20 mm φ @ 90 mm C/C at center of outer face & curtailing half of the bars at supports.

Step 5: Design of Vertical Walls for Cantilever action

Note: Design will remain same for both long wall and short wall

Design moment
! .! ! ! ! !
Md = = 6.67 KN-m
!
!!
(Ast)req. = [ ]
!!" ! ! ! !

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= 170.45 mm2
Minimum Ast = 0.35% of Cross Section

= 0.35 x 1000 x 400/100

= 1400 mm2

(Ast)req. = 1400/2 = 700 mm2

Provide 12 mm φ @ 160 mm C/C on both face of long wall & short wall as vertical reinforcement.

Step 6: Design of base slab

Adopting slab thickness as 180 mm

(Ast)min. = 0.35% of cross section area

= 0.0035 x 1000 x 180
= 630 mm2

Ast at one face = 630/2 = 315 mm2

Provide 8 mm φ @ 150 mm C/C in both faces both directions.

Step 7: Detailing

1. Plan

Fig.1. Plan of water tank

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2. Sectional View

Fig.2. Sectional view of water tank at direction A-A

Fig.3. Sectional view of water tank at direction B-B

4.4 Design by IS code method

Design problem:

Design a rectangular water tank resting on ground for a capacity of 3,20,000 liters (Size 10m x 8m x 4m)
having flat bottom and top by using M 30 concrete and Fe 415 steel. Draw the suitable:
• Plan of tank.
• Central cross section of tank.

Solution

Step- 1: Given data

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 Vineet Kumar Saha / SSRN-ELSEVIER (2018-19) 000–000

Size of tank = 10m x 8m x 4m

Fck = 30 MPa
Fy = 415 Mpa

σcbc = 10 MPa
γw = 10 KN/m3

Step 2: Design Constants

a) Modular ratio(m)
m = 280/ 3σcbc = 9.34
b) K = mσcbc / (mσcbc + σst) = 0.418
c) j = [ 1 – K/3] = 0.860
d) Q = σcbc x j x K / 2 = 1.80

Step 3: Analysis of Moment and Tensile forces

(a) Long Wall

L/a = 10/4 = 2.5

Max value of Mx for x/a = 1, y=0

From table 3 IS 3370 part 4

Mx = -0.108
At y = b/2 / x//a =0
My = -0.074
Max horizontal Mo = My x γw x a3
= 0.074 X 10 X 43 KN /m
Max Vertical Mo = Mx x γw x a3
= 0.108 x 10 x 4 3
= 69.12 KN-m
TL = Pb/2
p = γα ΚΝ/m2
p = 10 x 4 = 40 KN/ m2

TL = 40 KN X 8 / 2
TL = 160 KN

(b) Short Wall

B/a = 8/4 = 2
Applying boundary conditions, at x/a = ½, y = b/2
Mx = -0.100
at y = b/2, x/a = 0
My = -0.060
Max vertical Moment = Mx γw x a3
= 100 x 10 x 43
= 64 KN-m
Max horizontal moment = My x γw x a3
= 0.060 x 10 x 43 = 38.4 KN-m
Te = pl/2 = 40.875 x 10 /2 KN

Design of vertical moment

Max moment = 69.12 KN m

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Depth required = √(M/Rb)

= √ (69.12 x 10 6)/ (1.806 x 10 3)
=195.63 mm

Provide t = 280 mm with 50 mm

Effective cover
d = 280 – 50 = 20 mm >195.63mm

Ast = m/σst = 69.12 x 106/130 x 0.86 x 240

Ast = 2576.03 mm 2
Use 16 mm φ @ 70 mm c/c as secondary reinforcement on both face

Ast min -= 0.24/100 x 1000 x 280 = 672 mm2

Provide 10mm φ 100 mm c/c as secondary reinforcement on both faces.

1. Design of Horizontal Moment

47.36
A C

38.4
8m

B 10m D

10m

Joint A
a) KAC = I/L = I/ 10 = 0.1 I Member AB AC
b) KAB = I/8 = I/8 = 0.125 I
DF 0.46 0.56
FEM -38.4 47.3
Distribution -5.02 -3.94
Final Moment -43.418 43.418

Tension in side walls is considered for section at height ‘h’ from base
a/4 = 1m
at 1m from base or H = 4-1 = 3m

(! .!!!.!"#)!
ThL = = 123.3 KN
!
(! .!!!.!"#)!
ThB = = 154.375 KN
!

x = d – t/2 = 100 mm
so, net bending moment = M – T. x
= 27.980 KN-m
Area of steel required

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!! !
(Ast)req. = [ ]+[ ]= 2230.285 mm2
!!" ! ! ! ! !!"
Provide 10mm φ 130 mm C/C on horizontal direction at inner face

Step 4: Design of base slab

Adopting slab thickness as 180 mm

(Ast)min. = 0.35% of cross section area

= 0.0035 x 1000 x 180 = 630 mm2
Ast at one face = 630/2 = 315 mm2

Provide 8 mm φ @ 150 mm C/C in both faces both directions.

Step 7: Detailing

• Plan

Fig.4. R.C.C. detailing towards plan of water tank (IS Code Method)

• Sectional View

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Fig.5. Sectional view of water tank (IS code method) at direction A-A

5. Result

The comparative study between IS code method and approximate method in terms of induced moment,
sectional and structural requirement are showing below in tabular form.

Table 2. Comparison between IS code method and approximate method:

IS Code Method Approximate Method

Moments and shear forces on side walls are Moments and shear forces on side walls are
lesser. more.
Maximum design moment = 43.418 KN-m Maximum design moment = 209.50 KN-m

Thickness of side walls is less. Thickness of side walls is more.

t = 280 mm t = 400 mm
It is economical as reinforcement is also It is comparatively costlier
less.
Provided 10 mm φ @ 130 mm C/C Provided 25mm φ @ 80 mm C/C.
Accordingly durable. Prolong durable.
Design of Base slab, top slab remains same. Design of Base slab, top slab remains same.

6. Conclusion

In this research work, analysis and design of R.C.C rectangular water tank were carried out by IS code
method and approximate method on the basis of material feasibility, economy, complexity and durability. It
has been observed that, the IS code method results more suitable for design of water tank as compared to
approximate method as per following parameters,

6.1 Economy
IS Code Method pertaining more economical than approximate method, as the area of reinforcement is less
than that of Approximate Method with the lesser thickness of walls.

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6.2 Material Feasibility

On the basis of material feasibility, IS Code Method is preferable because desired strength can be gained with
less amount of material consumption.

6.3 Complexity
In terms of complexity, we observed that approximate method is quite complex and lengthy procedure with
time consuming design.

6.4 Durability
If we consider durability, the results say that Approximate Method is more durable than IS Code Method. But
approximate method is uneconomical and with respect to IS Code Method, as IS Code method is sufficient
durable with adequate economy.

Hence considering above parameters, we conclude that IS Code Method is overall suitable than Approximate
Method.

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