Nonlinear behaviour of liquefied natural gas tanks with different seismic isolation systems

Abstract

This study determines the effects of different types of base isolator systems on the seismic performance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks. Nonlinear time-history analyses of the non-isolated and three different isolated models were performed for the average acceleration of seven ground motions scaled to achieve a specified safe shutdown earthquake. The ANSYS Workbench program was used in the modelling studies of the LNG liquid, inner steel tank, outer shell, ring beam, roof and concrete foundation and side wall insulation. The LS-DYNA program was used for the nonlinear analyses of the LNG liquid, inner steel tank and concrete foundation. The results of the total base shear force, sloshing height, steel tank stresses and lateral deflection were compared. The results indicated that there was no difference between the convective and impulsive modes for the LNG tanks with isolators. It was concluded that the wave motion of the liquid was different from the oscillation of the structure and the earthquake isolation times did not affect the sloshing motion. In the non-isolated system, the stress reached 400 MPa, whereas it was 350 MPa on average in the LNG tanks with isolators.