Our paper deals with the mechanical design and structural, seismic analysis of a large capacity vertical storage tank. Storage tanks are used in process industries primarily for storage of in-process material, processed material awaiting shipment or the by-products of the processes. The storage period required for the content depends upon the process, the nature of content and the processes to follow.

The tank under consideration is a large capacity vertical storage tank with a storage capacity of 200 m3. The content being corrosive and hazardous to human life, specific codes are to be followed for the design of these tanks. The basic dimensions of the tank are 8000mm*5000mm height.

The tank is designed as per the recommendations and suggestions of ‘American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ ‘Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes’. The tank is designed for seismic effects and also for the dynamic behavior of the liquid in event of seismic activity. The vibrations induced in the tank in event of earthquake and its different modes of vibration are studied and analyzed.

Finite element analysis is used to ensure the durability of the structure to dynamic effects of frequency response. Software is developed to find the thickness of shell, head and bottom on the basis of internal and external pressure. Also this software performs the hydrodynamic calculations for the liquid stored inside the tank.