Design of Reinforced

Concrete Tanks
TYPES OF TANKS
BASED ON PLACEMENT OF TANK
I. RESTING ON GROUND
II. UNDER GROUND
III. ELEVATED
BASED ON SHAPE OF TANK
I. CIRCULAR
II. RECTANGULAR
III. SPHERICAL
IV. INTZ
V. CONICAL BOTTOM


RESTING ON GROUND
ELEVATED
CIRCULAR
RECTANGULAR
SPHERICAL
INTZ
CONICAL BOTTOM
Design Considerations
Loading
Density of Retained Liquids

Weight (KN/m
3
) Liquid
10 Water
11 Raw Sewage
11.4 Digested Sludge Aerobic
11.3 Digested Sludge Anaerobic

12 Sludge from Vacuum Filters
Under Ground
Design Considerations
Wall Thickness
- Extra thickness will cause higher thermal
stress when the concrete is hardening
- Minimum wall thickness
t
w
= 1/10 of the span for a simple cantilever
- Rectangular tanks
t
w
= L
s
/ 16 not less than 250 mm
t
b
= L
s
/12 not less than 400 mm

Design Considerations
- Circular tanks
t
w
=1.73 H
2
/ r n
2
not less than 200 mm


f
ct
= 1.7 1.8 N/mm
2


w
=10
-5
N/mm
2

H = Height of tank
r = Radius of tank
25 . 0 5 . 0
2
+ + =
w
ct
r
H f
n

Design Considerations
t
b
= r / 10 12 or t
w
+ 100 which is larger
not less than 250 mm for elevated tank
t
b
= r / 6 8 or t
w
+ 100 which is larger
not less than 400 mm for rested tank
Design Considerations
Concrete mix Design
C35 mix to BS 8007
- minimum cement content: 325 kg/m
3

- maximum cement content: 400 kg/m
3

- maximum water/cement ratio : 0.55
- minimum cover : 40 mm
Design Considerations
Reinforcement Details
- High yield bars (460 N/mm
2
) = 0.0035
- mil steel bars (250 N/mm
2
) = 0.0064
Walls and Suspended Slab
- If h 500 mm, the required reinforcement is
calculated for the whole area of concrete and
half the reinforcement is provided on each
face.



Design Considerations
- If h > 500 mm, the required reinforcement
is calculated for the outer 250 mm depth of
concrete and half the reinforcement is
provided on each face.
Ground Slabs:
I. h < 300mm, the required reinforcement is
calculated on the basis of top half of the
slab only. Provide this area of reinforcement
in the top half of the slab.

Design Considerations
II. 300< h 500 mm, Provide reinforcement for
the upper half of the slab, In addition
calculate the reinforcement for the 100 mm
depth of the slab in contact with ground and
provide the same
III. H > 500 mm, Calculate and provide
reinforcement as for (ii) above, except that the
depth of the upper half is limited to 250 mm
only
Figure A.1 Surface zones: walls and suspended slabs
Figure A.2 Surface zones: ground slabs
Design Considerations
Maximum spacing of reinforcement is 300
mm or wall thickness whichever is lesser.
Minimum reinforcement should not be less
than the required thermal and shrinkage
reinforcement.
Minimum reinforcement should not be less
than the reinforcement required to control
the crack limited width

Design Considerations
Floatation
Limit State Design
The principal steps are
1. Ultimate limit state design calculations
2. Serviceability limit state design calculations
with either
a) Calculations of crack width in mature
concrete (due to flexural and direct tension)
b) restrained thermal and shrinkage
movement in immature concrete (due to
direct tension)
Shrinkage and Thermal Reinforcement


T
2
Depend on the changes in environmental
temperature between casting and subsequent
used

( )
2 1
max
2 2
T T
w f
f
b
ct
+
|
.
|

\
|
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
o |

Crack Width
Flexural tension in mature concrete
The design surface crack with may be
calculated from equation


Where
c
m
= c
1
c
2



for limiting crack width of 0.2 mm

|
.
|

\
|

+
=
x h
c a
a
w
m cr
min
max
2 1
3 c
( )( )
( ) x d A E
x a x h b
s s
t

=
3
'
2
c
Crack Width


For limiting crack width of 0.1 mm
( )( )
( ) x d A E
x a x h b
s s
t

=
3
' 5 . 1
2
c
Crack Width
Direct tension in mature concrete
The maximum likely surface crack width due
to direct tension may be calculated from
equation

Where
c
m
= c
1
c
2

for 0.2 mm limiting crack width

for 0.1 mm limiting crack width
m cr
a w c 3
max
=
s s
t
A E
h b
3
2
2
= c
s s
t
A E
h b
=
2
c
Combine flexural and direct tension in
mature concrete
Where flexural and direct tension are
combined, the strains due to each must be
added together in calculating crack width in
the mature concrete
An alternative to such calculations of crack
widths, Table 3.1 of the code offers maximum
service for the reinforcement and if these
values can be shown to be satisfied it may be
assumed the maximum crack width will be
below the limiting value

Where


and (x/d) determine from figure 4.29 in Mosley
(text book)
modular ratio
E
s
= 200 KN/mm
2


|
.
|

\
|

=
3
x
d A
M
f
s
s
2 /
c
s
e
E
E
= o
Analysis
For calculating moments in the walls of the
tank, ready made tables of moment coefficients
are available. These coefficients have been
obtained from elastic analysis of thin plates using
analytical methods or using the finite element
method.
Table 17.9 in Macginley (Text book) and 2.53 in
Reynolds (Hand book) or tables in pages 173-175
in Anchor (ref. Book)are determine the moment
coefficients of elastic analysis for triangular
distributed loads on panels.
Analysis
An additional surcharge pressure with
rectangular distribution can be determine by
reference to Table 3.14 in BS 8110
Table 17.9 (Macginley)
Anchor Pages 170-175
DESIGN OF A RECTANGULAR COVERED TOP
UNDER GROUND WATER TANK
Specification:
Design a rectangular water tank with two
equal compartments as shown in fig.
Soil: Unit weight =18 kN/m
3

Soil: Submerged unit weight =(18
w
)=8 kN/m
3

Coefficient of friction | = 30

Surcharge: 12 kN/m
2
.
Unit weight of water
w
=10 kN/m
3



Consider the possibility of water logging up
to 1 m below the ground level.
Design for severe exposure, design crack
width=0.2 mm.
Use C35A concrete and 460 grade steel.
Assume walls and slabs are 400 mm thick.
The roof is not integrally connected to the
walls and is simply supported on the external
walls but continuous over the central dividing
wall with 250 mm thick.
(a) Check uplift:
Total weight W of the tank when empty:
W={5108(820.4)(1030.4)(5-0.25-
0.4)}24 =2985 kN
Uplift Pressure of water under the floor due to
4 m head of water
Uplift pressure=104=40 kN/m
2
Uplift force=81040=3200 kN
Design Uplift force = 3200 1.1 = 3520 KN
Additional weight required to have a factor of
safety against floatation of 1.1
Additional weight= 3520 2985= 535 kN

This can be provided by extending the base
as shown in Fig.
The submerged unit weight of the soil
=1810 = 8 kN/m
3
Pressure due to 1 m high dry soil plus 3.6 m of
submerged soil
=118+3.68 = 46.8 kN/m
2
Submerged weight of additional slab
=(24 0.410x0.4)=5.6 kN/m
2
Total additional weight of soil and additional slab =
46.8 +5.6 = 52.4 Kn/m
2
If b= 0.55 m, the additional weight is
{(11.1 9.1) (108)} 52.4 = 1100 KN
Weight of tank = 2985+1100= 4085KN> 3520 KN
(b) Pressure calculation on the walls:
Case 1: Tank empty:
Coefficient of active earth pressure:

Pressure due to surcharge
=k
a
x 12=4 kN/m
2
The wall is 5000 400 250=4350 mm high.
For the top (1000250)=750 mm, unit weight
of soil=18 kN/m
3
Below this level submerged unit weight of
soil=8 kN/m
3




In addition to the soil pressure there is also
the pressure due to ground water.
The pressures at different levels are:
(i) At 250 mm below ground:
p = 4 kN/m
2
due to surcharge+k
a
180.25
= 5.5 kN/m
2
(ii) At 1000 mm below ground:
p = 4 kN/m
2
due to surcharge+k
a
181.0
=10.0 kN/m
2



(iii) At 4600 mm below ground:
p = 4+k
a
83.6+ 103.6 due to ground water
= 49.5 KN/m
2

Case 2: Tank full:
Ignore any passive pressure due to soil and
assume that the ground is dry.
(i) At 4600 mm below ground
p= 104.35=43.5 kN/m
2





(c) Check shear capacity:
Effective depth:
d = 40040 mm cover12 mm bar /2= 354 mm
Case 1: Tank empty:
Total shear force at base is approximately
V = 0.55.50.25+0.510.00.75
+0.549.53.6
= 93.5 kN/m
v = 93.510
3
/ (1000354)=0.26 N/mm
2

Assuming minimum area of steel A
s
=0.35%



Section thickness is adequate.
Case 2: Tank full.
Total shear force at base is approximately
V = 0.543.54.35=94.6 kN/m
v = 94.610
3
/(1000354)=0.27 N/mm
2

v < v
c
Section thickness is adequate.
(d) Minimum steel:
From Table A1 of 8007,
crit
= 0.0035 for 460
grade steel.
Minimum steel A
s
area required
= 0.00351000400=1400 mm
2
/m
W
max
= 0.2 mm
=1210
6
from Table 3.2 of BS 8110, Part 2
T
1
=25C (Table A.2 of BS 8007)
From Table A1 of 8007, f
ct
/f
b
= 0.67 for
deformed bars of type 2.
Choose bar diameter | = 12 mm



= 0.003 < 0.0035
Using continuous construction for full
restraint (Table 5.1 of BS 8007), minimum
steel required is
A
s
= 0.00351000400=1400 mm
2
/m
Provide T12150 mm c/c=755 mm
2
/m on
each face.
Total steel are=1510 mm
2
/m.
) (
2 2
2 1 max
T T
f
f
w
b
ct
+ =
o

|
(e) Design of walls for bending at serviceability
limit state:
Typical results are shown in Table 17.9 for
the case of side and bottom edges being
clamped and the top edge being free
(i) Transverse walls:
The wall is designed as a 7.2 m4.35 m slab
clamped on three sides and free at top and
subjected to a hydrostatic loading giving base
pressures of 49.5 kN/m
2
for case 1 (Tank empty)
and 43.5 kN/m
2
for case 2 (Tank full). Since the
pressure difference is not large, design for Case
1 and use the same steel area for case 2.


(1) Vertical bending moment at base
From Table 17.9, interpolating between
b/a of 1.5 and 2.0,
bending moment coefficient for triangle
distributed load
=(0.084+0.058)/2=0.071
Vertical bending moment M at SL:
M= 0.07149.54.35
2
= 66.5 kN.m/m (SLS)
Vertical bending moment at base (ULS)
M=1.466.5=93.1 kN.m/m (ULS)
Or bending moment coefficient for triangle
distributed load for soil and water loads and
rectangular distribution load for surcharge
- Triangular load
Coefficient = 0.071, Load = 45.5 Kn/m
2

- Rectangular load
Coefficient = 0. 5 from Table 3.14 BS8110,
Load = 4.0 Kn/m
2

Vertical bending moment M at SL:
M= 0.07145.54.35
2
+ 0.06344.35
2

= 65.9 kN.m/m (SLS)

Vertical bending moment at base (ULS)
M=1.465.9=92.3 kN.m/m (ULS)


therefore lever-arm factor , l
a
= o.95 hence


This could provide on both faces T12-150 with
area of 754 mm
2
.




021 . 0
35 354 1000
10 1 . 93
2
6
2
=

=
cu
f bd
M
m mm
z f
M
A
y
s
/ 5 . 633
354 95 . 0 460 95 . 0
10 1 . 93
95 . 0
2
6
=

= =
(2) Horizontal bending moment at fixed vertical
edges
From data in Table 17.9, interpolating
between b/a of 1.5 and 2.0,
bending moment coefficient
=(0.064+0.039)/2=0.052
M at SLS=0.05249.54.35
2
=48.71 kNm/m
OR
=0.05245.54.35
2
+0.03744.35
2

=47.6 kNm/m
(3) Horizontal bending moment at mid-span
From data in Table 17.9, interpolating
between b/a of 1.5 and 2.0,
bending moment coefficient
=(0.027+0.021)/2=0.024
M at SLS=0.02449.54.35
2
=22.5 kNm/m
This could provide on both faces T12-150
with area of 754 mm
2
.

(4) Direct tension in walls
In case 2 (Tank full) there is also direct
tension in the horizontal direction in the wall
due to water pressure on the 10 m long walls.
Average pressure p is approximately
p=0.543.5=21.8 kN/m
2
Ignoring the resistance provided by the base,
tensile force N per meter is
N=0.55.021.8=54.5 kN/m.
OR from Table 2.53 Reynolds
N=0.26543.54.35=50.15 kN/m.
Check Crack width
Using deemed to satisfy conditions, check the
service stress in reinforcement



Therefore


From figure 4.29






2
/ 27 mm KN E
c
=
8 . 14
2 / 27
200
2 /
= = =
c
s
c
E
E
o
03 . 0
354 1000
754 8 . 14
=

=
bd
A
s
c
o
mm d x 4 . 81 354 23 . 0 23 . 0 = = ~
- Check width of vertical cracks (Horizontal
reinforcement) using the following data
Service moment and tension force
M = 48.71 KN.m/m, N = 54.5 KN/m


This is greater than 130 N/mm
2
allowable
stress and the steel area must be increased if
deemed to satisfy requirement are to be
met



2
6
/ 6 . 197
3
4 . 81
354 754
10 71 . 48
3
mm N
x
d A
M
f
s
s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1146 754
130
6 . 197
mm A
s
= =
In addition, reinforcement for tension force
should be added


Total minimum area of steel required to satisfy
crack width of 0.2 mm is
= 1146+419/2 = 1355 mm
2

provide T16-125 , Area provided 1610mm
2


2
3
419
130
10 5 . 54
mm
f
N
A
s
s
=

= =
- Check width of Horizontal cracks (Vertical
reinforcement) using the following data
Service moment and tension force
M= 0.07143.54.35
2
= 58.4 kN.m/m (SLS)


This is greater than 130 N/mm
2
allowable
stress and the steel area must be increased if
deemed to satisfy requirement are to be
met

provide T16-125 , Area provided 1610mm
2




2
6
/ 237
3
4 . 81
354 754
10 4 . 58
3
mm N
x
d A
M
f
s
s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1375 754
130
237
mm A
s
= =
(ii) longitudinal walls:
The wall is designed as a 4.4 m4.35 m slab
clamped on three sides and free at top and
subjected to a hydrostatic loading giving base
pressures of 49.5 kN/m
2
for case 1 (Tank
empty) and 43.5 kN/m
2
for case 2 (Tank full).
Since the pressure difference is not large,
design for Case 1 and use the same steel area
for case 2.
(1) Vertical bending moment at base
From Table 17.9, b/a of 1.0,
bending moment coefficient for triangle
distributed load
= 0.032
Vertical bending moment M at SL:
M= 0.03249.54.35
2
= 30 kN.m/m (SLS)
Vertical bending moment at base (ULS)
M=1.430=42 kN.m/m (ULS)
Use minimum steel, Provide T12150 mm
c/c=755 mm
2
/m on each face.
(2) Horizontal bending moment at fixed vertical
edges
From data in Table 17.9, b/a of 1.0,
bending moment coefficient = 0.028
M at SLS=0.02849.54.35
2
=26.2 kNm/m
Use minimum steel, Provide T12150 mm
c/c=755 mm
2
/m on each face.
(3) Horizontal bending moment at mid-span
bending moment coefficient = 0.013
M at SLS=0.01349.54.35
2
=12.2 kNm/m
This could provide on both faces T12-150
with area of 754 mm
2
.

(4) Direct tension in walls
In case 2 (Tank full) there is also direct
tension in the horizontal direction in the wall
due to water pressure on the 8 m long walls.
Average pressure p is approximately
p=0.543.5=21.8 kN/m
2
Ignoring the resistance provided by the base,
tensile force N per meter is
N=0.58.021.8=87.2 kN/m.
The tensile stress due to tensile force is
=87.210
3
/(2754)=57.8 N/mm
2
- Check width of vertical cracks (Horizontal
reinforcement) using the following data
Service moment and tension force
M = 26.2 KN.m/m, N = 57.8 KN/m


This is less than 130 N/mm
2
allowable stress
for deemed to satisfy requirement no
additional reinforcement required
This could provide on both faces T12-150
with area of 754 mm
2
.











2
6
/ 3 . 106
3
4 . 81
354 754
10 2 . 26
3
mm N
x
d A
M
f
s
s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|