Expected Earthquake damage for IFR
Expected Earthquake damage for IFR
(OP)
As some of you may be aware, a very destructive earthquake has hit near Christchurch in NZ. The epicentre was almost in the Port of Lyttelton.
We have recently built a 30m diameter tank, 16m high, which has been fitted with an Internal Floating Roof (IFR). At the time of the quake, the tank was undergoing a float test of the IFR on water and I believe it was at the highest possible position testing the iHHLA (Hi-Hi Level Alarm).
The IFR is a light weight aluminium pontoon type, with restraint chains (not legs).
At this stage I have not been able to get to Christchurch to check out the damage, but our site engineer (who was in the compound at the time of the quake) says that the tank sides vibrated, and the compound walls wobbled like jelly.
Other than initial thoughts of damage that may have happened to the IFR, (words like munched, sunk, and stuffed have been talked of)has anyone encounteered IFR damage related to earthquakes?
Any other foreseeable problems? (Hang up)
Comments / precautions / photos all appreciated
Oh and by the way, the three new tanks are still standing after the initial 7.1 shock in September, and this more destructive 6.3
We have recently built a 30m diameter tank, 16m high, which has been fitted with an Internal Floating Roof (IFR). At the time of the quake, the tank was undergoing a float test of the IFR on water and I believe it was at the highest possible position testing the iHHLA (Hi-Hi Level Alarm).
The IFR is a light weight aluminium pontoon type, with restraint chains (not legs).
At this stage I have not been able to get to Christchurch to check out the damage, but our site engineer (who was in the compound at the time of the quake) says that the tank sides vibrated, and the compound walls wobbled like jelly.
Other than initial thoughts of damage that may have happened to the IFR, (words like munched, sunk, and stuffed have been talked of)has anyone encounteered IFR damage related to earthquakes?
Any other foreseeable problems? (Hang up)
Comments / precautions / photos all appreciated
Oh and by the way, the three new tanks are still standing after the initial 7.1 shock in September, and this more destructive 6.3





RE: Expected Earthquake damage for IFR
RE: Expected Earthquake damage for IFR
Just an update to the above thread...
The accellerations encountered in the Feb 2011 Christchurch earthquake were in the order of 1:2500 yrs, which is well above the normal design quake of 1:500 yrs.
The IFR has sustained very little damage, as you had suggested. There are two marks where the roof trusses have punctured through the cover. Otherwise there seems to be hardly any other damage. (will try to attach a photo or two of the damage)
I believe that two other IFR's in the vicinity had a variety of minor problems, including sagging of the blanket below the product level, and seal damage.
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RE: Expected Earthquake damage for IFR