sand-filled tank design

[mikevaughn]

I am working on a design for an odd shaped rotomolded polyethylene tank that will be filled with about 5,000 lbs of sand. I am familiar with designing tanks for liquid storage and low pressure pressure applications. However, I am not sure how to work with sand since is has more shear viscosity and won't bulge the sidwalls in the same way that liquids will. Can someone give me some pointers as to how to attack this application? I'm assuming angle of repose will play a role as well.

 

[Bribyk]

The structural forum might be a better spot for this. They deal with this sort of problem on a regular basis when designing retaining walls, below grade foundations, etc...

 

[MintJulep]

You're right, it is quite different from a tank.

I posted a link here on Eng-Tips once to a good source of info - but my quick search this morning didn't find it.

Search for "bin", "silo" or "hopper" rather than tank. There is info out there.