Water Tank Seismic Analysis Taking into Account the Interplay of Soil Structure in Different Zones

Abstract

This study demonstrates the importance of accounting for seismic forces in the design of underground water tanks. The analysis reveals that when seismic forces are considered, the moments in the walls along both the X and Y axes at the base exceed those in the walls of existing tanks. Although soil conditions do not significantly influence the design forces, the impact of seismic activity is evident in the increased shear forces, which necessitate the redesign of wall thickness. Additionally, considering the soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect with elastic springs at the base results in higher design forces compared to traditional methods. These findings underscore the need for updated design practices to ensure the structural integrity and safety of underground water tanks in seismic regions. The study finds that when seismic forces are taken into account, the moments in the walls at the base along both the X and Y axes are significantly higher than those observed in existing tanks designed without seismic considerations. This highlights the necessity for re-evaluating the design criteria to accommodate these additional forces. By considering the soil-structure interaction effect using elastic spring models at the base, the study observes a further increase in design forces. This indicates that the SSI effect amplifies the impact of seismic forces, emphasizing the need to include these interactions in design calculations for a more accurate assessment of the forces at play.