Calculations

1. An Aboveground Storage Tank is to be constructed using ASTM A 516 gr 60 plates.

The plates are normalized. The plates were tested for impact value and the following were the test
results. The test results are presented for 32 mm thk plates (Lot A) and 30 mm thk plates (Lot B).

A) Longitudinal Specimen:
Three specimens failed at 13ft-lb, 15ft-lb and 18ft-lb respectively

B) Transverse Specimen:
Three specimens failed at 12ft-lb, 14ft-lb and 14ft-lb respectively

Your assessment is:

a. Plate A is okay. B is rejected.
b. Plate B is okay. A is rejected.
c. Both A and B are okay.
d. Both A and B are not okay.

▪ The materials belongs to Graph III A.

▪ The Thicknesses are within acceptable limits.

(Ref: 2.2.2, 516 gr60 can be used up to 40 mm thickness)

Plate A (Longitudinal):

13  15  16
Average of 3 specimen = = 14.66 ft. lb.
3

Average of 3 specimen, 14.66 ft. lb is less than required average of 15 ft.

lb. – Reject.

Plate B (Transverse):

12  14  14
Average of 3 specimen =  13.33
3

Average of 3 specimen, 13.33 is greater than required average of 13 ft. lb.

Also only one specimen (12 ft. lb) is below average and its value is greater than
2/3 x 13, i.e., greater than 8.66.

Accept Plate B.

Correct answer: b
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2. The following data are presented for an Aboveground Storage Tank:

1) Code of construction: API 650
2) Tank diameter = 60ft
3) Tank height = 48ft; width of plates used = 8ft
4) Maximum fill height = 48ft
5) Product specific gravity = 0.92
6) Materials of construction; ASTM A 516 gr 60
1
7) Corrosion allowance = in
8

Determine:
a. Required thickness for bottom course (first course)
b. Required thicknesses for courses 2 to 6

2.6 D( H  1G 2.6 D( H  1)
a. td   CA or tt 
Sd St

From table 3.2, S d  21,300 psi, S t  24,000 psi

2.6 x60 x(48  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.3167+0.125 = 0.4417”

2.6 x60 x(48  1)

tt   0.3055”
24000

0.4417”>0.3055”

Use 0.4417” thick plate, = 11.22mm

Use 12mm thick plate

b. It is obvious that for all other courses, td will govern, since td will be greater than tt

2.6 D( H  1)G
td   CA
Sd
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For the 2nd Course, H = 40ft

2.6 x60 x(40  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.2628+0.125 = 0.3878” = 9.85mm Use 10mm plate

For the 3rd Course, H = 32ft

2.6 x60 x(32  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.2089+0.125 = 0.3339” = 8.48mm Use 10mm plate

For the 4th Course, H = 24ft

2.6 x60(24  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.1550 + 0.125 = 0.2800” = 7.11mm Use 8mm plate

For the 5th Course H = 16ft

2.6 x60 x(16  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.1011 + 0.125 = 0.2261” = 5.74mm Use 6mm plate

For the 6th Course H = 8ft

2.6 x60 x(8  1) x0.92 1

... td =  in
21300 8

... td = 0.0472 + 0.125 = 0.1722” = 4.37mm 5mm plate may be OK

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But

As per table 3.6.1, minimum thickness (for D = 60ft) is 6mm. Use 6mm plate

Data: Code of Constr. API 650 – Basic. Year of Constr. 1984

1) Tank diameter = 100 feet

2) Tank height = Maximum liquid height = 56 feet
3) Course width 8 feet
4) Product specific gravity = 0.98
5) Corrosion rate = 0.1 mm / year
6) Thickness provided = 20mm (new)
7) M.O.C. = ASTM-A-36
8) After 20 years, a patch was observed on the second shell course, at 46 feet from the top (i.e.
in 2nd course). Least thickness in the area of corrosion was 15.25mm (0.6”). the next interval
for inspection is 10 years.
9) Readings in vertical planes a, b, c, d over the length L were:

No. a b c d
1 19 18.5 18 18.5
2 18 18 17.75 17.5
3 18 17.5 15.25 17.5
4 17 18 16.5 18
5 19 18.5 17.5 18.5

Is the tank safe until next inspection?

1) t 2  0.6"  15.25

2) L  3.7 Dxt2  3.7 100 x0.6  28.66"

3) tavg for plane a = 91/5 = 18.2 mm. (Total of 5 readings = 91)

tavg for plane b = 90.5/5 = 18.1 mm (Total of 5 readings = 90.5)
tavg for plane c = 85/5 = 17.0 mm (Total of 5 readings = 85)
tavg for plane d = 90/5 = 18.0 mm (Total of 5 readings = 90)

So, the weakest plane is c. and lowest of tavg = 17 mm

... t1 = 17mm

2.6 xDxHxG 2.6 x100 x 46 x0.98

4) tmin =   0.471"  11.965mm
SE 24900

For safe operation:

t1 > tmin + (CR x Interval) and t2 > 0.6 x tmin + (CR x Interval)
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17 > 11.965 + 0.1x10 15.25 > 0.6x11.965+1

17 > 12.965 OK 15.25 > 8.179 OK

Therefore the tank is safe.

An aboveground storage tank provided with sketch plate type bottom construction was observed to
be having following thickness readings on bottom plate by UT measurement. (The tank does have
leak detection system on bottom.)

Bottom thickness provided when tank was new (excluding corrosion allowance = 10 mm. Maximum
depth of corrosion pits from inside of tank on the tank bottom = 3.5 mm. Maximum corrosion from
bottom side (metal loss) = 4.5 mm. Rate of corrosion on topside of bottom = 100 microns / year.
Rate of corrosion on bottom side = 150 microns / year.

Calculate when the next inspection should be due.

RTbc = 10 – 4.5 = 5.5 mm

RTip = 10 – 3.5 = 6.5 mm

M RT = 0.1” (from Table 6-1) = 2.5 mm

MRT = (Minimum of RTbc or RTip) – Or (St Pt + U Pr)

2.5 = 5.5 – Or (0.1 + 0.15)

Or x 0.25 = 3.0

Or = 3.0 / 0.25 = 12 years

Answer: 12 years