Numerical Investigation of an Optimum Ring Baffle Design to Optimize the Structural Strength of a Tank Subjected to Resonant Seismic Sloshing

Abstract

This article numerically investigates the sloshing dynamics and structural response of baffled cylindrical tanks subjected to lateral resonant as well as seismic excitations. The study focuses on suppressing the sloshing forces and fluid movement by increasing the tank structural strength with the help of a baffle and explores the optimum baffle design from among various ring baffle designs. Two approaches have been used for the evaluation of effective positions and design: the modal approach and the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) approach. The numerical model is validated using the tank design code Eurocode-8. Based on the detailed fluid and structural analysis of sloshing pressure and fluid velocity, the structural stress optimum baffle position and design are achieved, which change the structural characteristics of the tank positively. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the selected design is also tested against the El-Centro and Kocaeli earthquakes. It is found that the optimum design increases the tank structural strength by up to 2.5 and 4 times under resonant and seismic excitations, respectively.

Keywords:

• Cylindrical tank
• resonant sloshing
• FSI analysis
• seismic excitations
• ring baffles

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) no. 2020R1C1C1004434.