Abstract

One of the most common types of fluid storage tanks are rectangular concrete tanks placed on the ground. Ensuring the seismic performance of these tanks is crucial as, besides damage and losses during a crisis, they can lead to other crises such as fires or toxic material leaks. One pivotal factor influencing the seismic behavior of these tanks is the height of the freeboard. A comprehensive understanding of how freeboard height impacts the impulsive and convective masses is essential for the effective design and dynamic analysis of rectangular tanks. While numerous numerical and experimental studies have explored this field, the influence of various filling levels, fluid properties, and tank geometries under seismic loading conditions requires further investigation. In this study, both an experimental model and a theoretical model were subjected to different tank fill levels, tank geometries, and various freeboard heights under the influence of different earthquake records. The results showed that tank height and geometry significantly affect the changes in impulsive and convective masses. Notably, in contrast to previous studies, our results demonstrate a nonlinear relationship between freeboard height and the variations in these masses. These new findings are crucial for refining current design practices and improving the resilience of rectangular tanks in earthquake-prone regions.

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