Comparison of Impulsive Period Coefficient of Eurocode8, API 650 and IITK-GSDMA

Guidelines
 Eurocode8 (Part 4) i.e. EN8 1998-4 (1998 and 2006) use two procedures for calculating
the period of the impulsive mode of vibration.
1. Closed-form expression.
2. Simplified procedure- The values of the impulsive period coefficient are presented in
table.
 In EN8 1998-4 (1998):
- The closed-form expression given is based on the works of Fischer (1982) and Sakai et
al. (1984).
- The simplified procedure provided is based on the works of Veletsos (1984).
 In EN8 1998-4 (2006):
- A.3.1 - The closed-form expression given is based on the works of Scharf (1990).
- A.3.2.2 -The simplified procedure provided is based on the works of Malhotra et al.
(2000).
- Malhotra et al. (2000) provides the simplified procedure, which is based on the works
of Veletsos (1984).
 IITK-GSDMA Guidelines (2007):
- C4.3.1.1 - Taken from EN8 1998-4 (1998).
 API 650 (2007):
- EC.4.5.1 - The simplified method given by Malhotra et al. (2000) is used.
The variation of impulsive period coefficient Ci with h/R ratio is presented in the figure
below:
 20

18 EN8 1998-4 (1998) and

IITK-GSDMA Guidelines
16 (2007)

14
API 650 (2007)
12
EN8 1998-4 (2006)
Ci →

10

0
0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
h/R
Variation of Impulsive Period Coefficient Ci with h/R ratio

 It is observed that the results obtained by using closed-form expressions from EN8 1998-4
(1998) and IITK-GSDMA Guidelines (2007) are nearly equal to those by simplified
procedure provided Malhotra (2000). Whereas EN8 1998-4 (2006) provides comparatively
lesser values for h/R values below 3.75. This difference increses thereafter.
 The table given below shows the expressions for the impulsive period and the respective
coefficients:
Expressions for Impulsive Period (Ti) and Respective Coefficient (Ci)

Impulsive
Code Expressions for Impulsive Period Coefficient (Ci)
Period (Ti)
2
h √ρ /E C i=
EN8 1998-4 (1998) T i=Ci h h h 2

and IITK-GSDMA
Guidelines (2007)
√t / R
√ [ R
× 0.46−0.15×
R ( )
+ 0.01675×
R ( )]
Base on Fischer (1982) and Sakai et al. (1984)
Ci values are given in a tabulated form based on
API 650 (2007)
Malhotra et al. (2000)
2
h h
EN8 1998-4 (2006)
C i=
[ ()
2× 1.49+
R
+0.157 ×
R ( )]
√ h/ R
Base on Scharf (1982)
ρ = mass density of the fluid, E = Modulus of elasticity of tank wall, t = thickness of the wall,
R = radius of tank, h = Height of fluid;

Examples:
Height (h) = 11 m
Diameter = 3.6 m i.e. Radius (R) = 3.6 / 2 = 1.8 m
Hence, h/R = 11 / 1.8 = 6.11.

 By closed-form expressions of EN8 1998-4 (1998) and IITK-GSDMA Guidelines (2007):

Ci = 4.79
 By simplified procedure of Malhotra et al. (2000):
It does not provide Ci for the h/R values above 3. Hence, we can not get impulsive period
for h/R = 6.11 by this procedure.
 By closed-form expressions of EN8 1998-4 (2006):
Ci = 10.89

References:

1. API 650 (2007). “Welded storage tanks for oil storage.” American Petroleum Institute
Standard, Washington D. C., USA.
2. Eurocode 8 (Part 4) (1998). “Design provisions for earthquake resistance of structures,
Part 4 – Silos, tanks and pipelines” European committee for Standardization (CEN),
Brussels, Belgium.
3. Eurocode 8 (Part 4) (2006). “Design provisions for earthquake resistance of structures,
Part 4 – Silos, tanks and pipelines” European committee for Standardization (CEN),
Brussels, Belgium.
4. Fischer, D.F., and Rammerstorfer, F.G. (1982). “The stability of liquid-filled cylindrical
shells under dynamic loading.” Technical and Scientific Computing Div. FAT, Austria.
5. IITK-GSDMA (2007). “IITK-GSDMA Guidelines for Seismic Design of Liquid Storage
Tanks, Provisions with Commentary and Explanatory Examples.” IITK-GSDMA-EQ08-
V1.0, NICEE, Kanpur, India.
6. Malhotra, P.K., Wenk, T., and Wieland, M. (2000). “Simple procedure for seismic
analysis of liquid storage tanks” Structural Engineering International, IABSE, Vol. 10,
No.3, 197-201.
7. Sakai, F., Ogawa, H., and Isoe, A. (1984). “Horizontal, vertical and rocking fluid-elastic
response and design of cylindrical liquid storage tanks.” Proc. Of 8th World Conference
on Earthquake Engineering, San Francisco, Calif. Vol. V, 263-270.
8. Scharf, K. (1990). “Contributions to the recording of the behavior of earthquake-induced
above-ground tank structures.” Progress reports VDI, Row 4, Civil Engineering, No. 97,
VDI Verlag, Dusseldorf.
9. Veletsos, A.S. (1984). “Seismic response and design of liquid storage tanks.” Guidelines
for the seismic design of oil and gas pipeline systems, Technical Council on Lifeline
Earthquake Engineering, ASCE, N.Y., 255-370, 443-461.