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Seismic response of elevated steel tanks equipped with the seesaw system

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Abstract

Aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of the seesaw system in mitigating the seismic response of elevated steel tanks for water storage. This is accomplished by conducting a number of non-linear time-history (NLTH) analyses to a specific in terms of shape and water storage capacity elevated steel tank. To conduct the NLTH analyses: (i) the two (horizontal) or the three (two horizontal and one vertical) translational components of the seismic motions are utilized; (ii) two different water heights are considered, representing the cases of a partially-filled and an almost filled tank; (iii) the tank is assumed founded either on a rigid or on a flexible ground, permitting, thus, an assessment of the influence of soil-structure interaction (SSI). The NLTH analyses are performed first for the tank without the seesaw system and then with it. The response metrics to be compared are the drift and residual drift ratio of the tank, the axial and shear stresses exerted to the shell of tank, the maximum forces developed to the members of the seesaw system as well as the formation of plastic hinges to the steel framing system that supports the tank. Interpretation of the results provided by the aforementioned response metrics leads to the conclusion that the effectiveness of the seesaw system to elevated steel tanks of the type studied herein is limited.

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Data availability

The seismic motions used for the purposes of this work have been downloaded from https://www.strongmotioncenter.org/.

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Acknowledgements

This research project is co-financed by Hellenic Open University and the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs through Research Programs 80248 and 80272. The methods, results, opinions, findings, and conclusions presented in this project are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.

Funding

The authors have received support by Hellenic Open University and the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs through Research Programs 80248 and 80272.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Structural Technology and Applied Mechanics, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece

    Panagiota Katsimpini, George Papagiannopoulos & George Hatzigeorgiou

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  1. Panagiota Katsimpini
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  2. George Papagiannopoulos
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  3. George Hatzigeorgiou
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All authors have equally contributed to this study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Panagiota Katsimpini.

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Katsimpini, P., Papagiannopoulos, G. & Hatzigeorgiou, G. Seismic response of elevated steel tanks equipped with the seesaw system. Bull Earthquake Eng 22, 1253–1274 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-023-01823-7

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