PDVSA

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL

VOLUME 18I
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA N

TITLE

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

0602.1.472

AUG.95

GENERAL REVISION

APR.94

MODIFICATION PAR. 4.1

AUG.85

FOR APPROVAL

REV.

DATE

APPD.BY Jos Gilarranz

E PDVSA, 1983

DESCRIPTION
DATE

L.T.

E.J.

A.N.

L.T.

E.J.

A.N.

J.S.

J.G.

A.O.

APPD.

APPD.

PAG. REV.

AUG.85 APPD.BY Antonio Ortiz

DATE

AUG.85

ESPECIALISTAS

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

PDVSA 0602.1.472
REVISION

FECHA

AUG.95

Pgina 1
.Men Principal

Indice manual

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Indice norma

Index
1 PURPOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 TANKDIKE SPACING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 EARTH DIKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

Dike Design Basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Earth Dike Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initial Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dike Dimensions and Slopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2
3
3
4

5 EROSION PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 ACCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1
6.2

Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4

7 DIKE BASINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.1
7.2

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impervious Dike Basins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
5

8 GRADING AND DRAINAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.1
8.2

Sump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5

9 GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 SAFETY STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

PDVSA 0602.1.472
REVISION

FECHA

AUG.95

Pgina 2
.Men Principal

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PURPOSE
This guide presents considerations pertinent to the design and construction of
earth dikes for tank farms.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
2.1

Diked areas are used to retain accidental discharge of product from above ground
tanks in order to prevent the liquid from endangering adjacent, facilities, property
or waterways. Stormwater control, protection of tanks from high water and
pollution control may also be required.

2.2

Other methods such as concrete dikes, and diversion systems are used to control
tank spillages. Normally, the diversion system will channel the drainage by gravity
to an impounding basin.
The impounding basin can be formed by installing an impounding dike around a
holding area.

2.3

Concrete dikes, dikes and basins for permanent storage or water treatment,
earthdams and diversion systems are not covered in this guide.

TANKDIKE SPACING
Spacing between tank shell and dike shall not be less than tank shell height.
Spacing between adjacent tanks shall not be less than 1 1/2 diameters of the
smaller tank. For all cases, tankdike spacing could be determined by installation
design or local requirements.
Dike content capacity shall not be less than 150% of tank volume. If more than
one tank inside dike, dike content capacity shall be at least 150% of larger tank
volume, plus displaced volume of the rest of tanks.

EARTH DIKES
4.1

Dike Design Basis

Design dikes sufficiently impervious to contain a product spill for a period of time
adequate for recovery and cleanup. They shall be capable of withstanding a full
hydrostatic head of water, and seismic vibrations, in accordance with Engineering
Specification PDVSA FJ251, Metallic Tanks Seismic Design.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

PDVSA 0602.1.472

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

REVISION

FECHA

AUG.95

Pgina 3
.Men Principal

4.2

Indice manual

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Earth Dike Material

Virtually any soil except rock flour, silt, sand or gravel may be used. A material
will probably be satisfactory if, when material passing No. 200 sieve with lowest
water content can be rolled between the palms of the hands into a 3 mm (1/8 in)
thread without crumbling in accordance with ASTM D1557. The best material is
a clay or clayey silt that is impervious when properly installed. Compact the
earthen material to 90 percent of the maximum obtained in ASTM D 1557.
If only granular or other permeable material is available an impervious core can
be built into the dike. This core may consist of imported clay soil, compacted to
150 mm (6 in) thickness, 50 mm (2 in) layer of asphaltic concrete, or a plastic liner.
Figure 1 shows a typical core construction.
(2 FT) MIN.

(1 FT)

VARIES

TANK SIDE

IMPERVIOUS
CORE
0.3 m (1 ft)

150 mm 200 mm
(6 in 8 in)
IF NOT SAND
460 mm (18 in)
IF SAND

FIG. 1 EARTHEN DIKE WITH IMPERVIOUS CORE

4.3

Initial Preparation
Before dike construction is started, remove the vegetation and topsoil. Scarify the
surface 150 mm to 200 mm (6 in to 8 in) deep and excavate 300 mm (12 in) wider
than the proposed dike and recompact the area. If the virgin soil is sand, remove
it to a depth of 450 mm (18 in) before placement of dike materials.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

PDVSA 0602.1.472
REVISION

FECHA

AUG.95

Pgina 4
.Men Principal

4.4

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Dike Dimensions and Slopes

Height
Slope
Width at Top

Indice manual

3000 mm (910) Maximum (Tank Side)

Consistent with angle of repose of soil used. Not steeper than 2
horizontal to 1 vertical
1000 mm (3 ft.) Minimum

EROSION PROTECTION
The method most widely used consists of one prime coat with a mixture of 75%
Asphalt RC2 and 25% kerosene, pressured sprayed at a rate of 1,2 to 1,5 l/m2
(depending on soil), and a second coat of 100% Asphalt RC2.
Other methods for erosion protection are wire mesh, granular aggregate and
PC2 asphalt, precast concrete panels. Erosion protection method shall be
approved by Owner.

ACCESS
6.1

Personnel
For dikes over 1000 mm (3 ft.) in height provide means of crossing at locations
of normal ingress and egress. Use concrete stairs, prefabricated stairs or a ramp
with handrails.

6.2

Vehicular
When vehicular access is required for dikes with low or moderately high dike walls,
an earth ramp is provided. ramps shall have a minimum width of 3.7 m (12 ft.) and
should not exceed a 15 percent grade. Compact the ramp to 95% of maximum
obtained in ASTM D 1557 and cover with a minimum of 150 mm (6 in) of
compacted stone or shell. Instead of the above an asphalt concrete surface can
be provided.

DIKE BASINS
7.1

Requirements
Dike basins are used to prevent seepage into underground soils. Local
regulations may require dike basins to be impervious for certain classes of liquids.
Consideration should be given to make a dike basin impervious only under special
conditions such as:
Extremely porous soil.
Contamination of water table, water ways or other surface waters.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

PDVSA 0602.1.472
REVISION

FECHA

AUG.95

Pgina 5
.Men Principal

Indice manual

Indice volumen

Indice norma

Possible seepage of product from plant properly, to lowlying areas or to houses

in the area.
Toxic chemicals to be contained.

7.2

Impervious Dike Basins

Impervious dike basins can be designed using one of the following methods:
Install a plastic liner under the basin. Liner material shall be compatible with
stored liquid. Bury the liner when mechanical protection is required.
Line the basin with a clay layer 100 mm to 150 mm (4 to 6 in) thick. Use thicker
layer when vehicular traffic has access to basin.
Other methods recommended by geotechnical consultant.

GRADING AND DRAINAGE

Grade tank basins away from the tanks a minimum slope of one percent at least,
15 meters or up to dike base, whichever is shorter. Avoid interference with
roadways or pipeways.

8.1

Sump
Provide a sump with valved drains at the lower corner of the basin. Sump
dimensions are:
Area
Depth

8.2

0.84 m2 ( 9 ft.2)
600 mm minimum (2 ft.)

Drains
Drainpipe is a steel pipe through the dike with a normally closed indicating valve
outside the dike that will be operable during a fire. Drains are provided with seals
to prevent the spread of flame through the drainage system when flammable
materials are stored, in accordance with Engineering Specification PDVSA
H251, Drain Systems.

GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT
Recommendations for dike materials, dike construction, basin materials and
construction shall be provided by the Geothechnical Consultant. The maximum
height, slopes, slope protection and special conditions shall also be supplied.

10 SAFETY STANDARDS
Venezuelan Fire Prevention and Protection Standard shall apply. If should there
be any discrepancies between this Guide and PDVSA Risk Engineering Manual,
the more stringent shall apply, with previous approval of Owners representative.