Wood water tankseismic analysis
Wood water tankseismic analysis
(OP)
I was wondering if someone could offer me some guidance. I have been struggling to find a reference that talks about the analysis of wood stave tanks. I am looking at an existing redwood tank to try to offer an opinion as to it's seismic resistance . There seams to be a common trend out here(CA) of eliminating them – partially due to other factors such as water quality and maintenance. I have even found some non-technical references that talks about the "inherent seismic instability of redwood tanks." I have not found any technical references to back up that statement. I was hoping someone's experience could help.
The Tanks are similar to: http://www.vintagelog.com/images/redtank.jpg
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The Tanks are similar to: http://www.vintagelog.com/images/redtank.jpg
Any help would be greatly appreciated.





RE: Wood water tankseismic analysis
In an earthquake, with the water sloshing, say 4 to 6 feet from side to side as an example, and the lateral fluid pressures varying accordingly, the slats have little resistance mechanism other than interstitial friction to develop any diapragm forces to be used as a shearwall to resist the seismic forces. Failure would be in a layover mode. There is also the aspect of exciting the natural frequency of the fluid in the structure, causing further forces on the tank.
I believe that I have some design literature on these structures somewhere in my archives. I will try to find it.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Wood water tankseismic analysis
http://www.timbertanks.com/
They state: "Deliberate and inherent design features have been incorporated to give very high earthquake resistance to TimberTanks. This has been proved in practice during a number of severe earthquakes in New Zealand."
RE: Wood water tankseismic analysis
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering