Analysis and Design of Underground Storage Tanks of Polyethylene and Polymers

Abstract

With the advent of high speed digital computers, now it is possible to handle real life structural analysis problems with confidence and aplomb. We know nowadays there is a volcanic proliferation in domain of computer software, pre processors, and post processors and computer hardware. Nowadays it is possible to carry out rigorous finite element analysis of structures, and suggest optimized geometry from the techno-commercial aspects of the structures. In this piece of work, an attempt is made to thoroughly investigate various topological geometries of multipurpose tanks made up of High density polyethylene materials. Structure analysis runs are made, which includes also sensitivity analysis, structural optimization in stress and deflection domain and attempt is also made to investigate the problem from the point of view of studying at micro and macro levels, final geometry has been proposed after set of analysis runs. Out of three materials tried, composite material (fiber reinforced plastic) has been suggested after wide amount of analysis runs and load cases. These containers depending upon practical usage may fall in domain of underground septic tanks, petrol tanks or water tanks. Effort has also been put in the domain of suggesting innovative, relative stiffener positions using different shapes and sizes of the containers. Parametric data bank is also generated in pictorial form; the study has been made not only from theoretical aspects but also from commercial aspects. Summary and conclusions highlights the optimized geometry from the sensitivity point of view for composite material containers, with given loading conditions.