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Seismic analysis of a LNG storage tank isolated by a multiple friction pendulum system

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Abstract

The seismic response of an isolated vertical, cylindrical, extra-large liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank by a multiple friction pendulum system (MFPS) is analyzed. Most of the extra-large LNG tanks have a fundamental frequency which involves a range of resonance of most earthquake ground motions. It is an effective way to decrease the response of an isolation system used for extra-large LNG storage tanks under a strong earthquake. However, it is difficult to implement in practice with common isolation bearings due to issues such as low temperature, soft site and other severe environment factors. The extra-large LNG tank isolated by a MFPS is presented in this study to address these problems. A MFPS is appropriate for large displacements induced by earthquakes with long predominant periods. A simplified finite element model by Malhotra and Dunkerley is used to determine the usefulness of the isolation system. Data reported and statistically sorted include pile shear, wave height, impulsive acceleration, convective acceleration and outer tank acceleration. The results show that the isolation system has excellent adaptability for different liquid levels and is very effective in controlling the seismic response of extra-large LNG tanks.

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Correspondence to Ruifu Zhang.

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Supported by: Foundation of Basic Research Program of State Key Laboratory from Ministry of Science and Technology of China Under Grant No. SLDRCE10-D-01; Foundation of Shanghai Engineering Technical Research Centre Under Grant No. 10DZ2252000

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Zhang, R., Weng, D. & Ren, X. Seismic analysis of a LNG storage tank isolated by a multiple friction pendulum system. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 10, 253–262 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-011-0063-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-011-0063-3

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