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CO~r@tC

INFORMATION

Rectangular Concrete Tanks


While cylindrical shapes may be structurally best for
tank construction, rectangular tanks frequently are preferred for specific purposes. Special processes or operations may make circular tanks inconvenient to use.
When several separate cells are required, rectangular
tanks can be arranged in less space than circular tanks
of the same capacity. Tanks or vats needed inside a
building are therefore often made in rectangular or
square shapes. For these and other reasons, breweries,
tanneries, and paper mills generally use rectangular
tanks.
Data presented here are for design of rectangular
tanks where the walls are subject to hydrostatic pressure of zero at the top and maximum at the bottom.
Some of the data can be used for design of counterforted retaining walls subject to earth pressure for which
a hydrostatic type of loading may be substituted in the
design calculations. Data also can be applied to design
of circular reservoirs of large diameter where lateral
stability depends on the action of counterforts built integrally with the wall.
Another article on tank construction, Circular Concrete Tanks Withouf Prestressing, has been published
by the Portland Cement Association.

Moment

Coefficients

Moment coefficients were calculated for individual


panels considered fixed along vertical edges, and coefficients were subsequently adjusted to allow for a certain rotation about the vertical edges. First, three sets of
edge conditions were investigated, in all of which vertical edges were assumed fixed while the other edges
were as follows:
1. Top hinged-bottom hinged
2. Top free-bottom hinged
3. Top free-bottom fixed*
Moment coefficients for these edge conditions are
given in Tables 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In all tables, a
denotes height and b width of the wall. In Tables 1, 2,
and 3, coefficients are given for nine ratios of b/a, the
limits being b/a = 3.0 and 0.5. The origin of the coordinate system is at midpoint of the top edge; the Y axis is
horizontal; the X axis is vertical and its positive direction
downward. The sign convention for bending moments is
based on the coordinate fiber that is being stressed. For
example, A$ stresses fibers parallel to the X axis, The
sign convention used here is not compatible with two
other conventions-namely, that (1) the subscript is the
axis of the moment, and (2) that the moment is in a par-

Q Portland Cement Association 1969

Revised

1961

titular principal plane. Coefficients are given-except


where they are known to be zero-at edges, quarter
points, and midpoints both in X and Y directions.
The slab was assumed to act as a thin plate, for which
equations are available in textbooks such as Theory ot
Plates and Shells by S. Timoshenko, but since only a
small portion of the necessary calculations for moment
coefficients for specific cases is available in the engineering literature, they have been made especially for
this text.
Table 4 contains moment coefficients for uniform
load on a rectangular plate considered hinged on all
four sides. The table is for designing cover slabs and
bottom slabs for rectangular tanks with one cell. If the
cover slab is made continuous over intermediate supports, the design can follow procedures for the design of
slabs supported on four sides.
Coefficients for individual panels with fixed side
edges apply without modification to continuous walls
provided there is no rotation about vertical edges. In a
square tank, therefore, moment coefficients can be
taken directly from Tables 1, 2, or 3. In a rectangular
tank, however, an adjustment must be made, as was
done in Tables 5 and 6, similar to the modification of
fixed-end moments in a frame analyzed by moment
distribution.
In this procedure the common-side edge of two adjacent panels is first considered artificially restrained so
that no rotation can take place about the edge. Fixededge moments taken from Tables 1,2, or 3 are usually
dissimilar in adjacent panels and the differences, which
correspond to unbalanced moments, tend to rotate the
edge. When the artificial restraint is removed these unbalanced moments will induce additional moments in
the panels, Adding induced and fixed-end moments at
the edge gives final end moments, which must be identical on both sides of the common edge.
Moment distribution cannot be applied as simply to
continuous tank walls as it can to framed structures,
because moments must be distributed simultaneously
along the entire length of the side edge so that moments
become equal at both sides at any point of the edge. The
problem was simplified and approximated to some extent by distributing moments at four points only: quarter
points, midpoint, and top. The end moments in the two
intersecting slabs were made identical at these four
points and moments at interior points adjusted accordingly.
Applicable
tn cases where wall slab, counterfort, and base slab are
a l l built Integrally
PublIshed by McGraw-HI11
Book Co, New York, 1959

Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4. Moment Coefficients for Slabs with Various Edge Conditions

Table 1

Table 2

Moment = Coef. x wa

/j

f-lmi_

Moment=Coef.xwa3

mlr

Xl

_wa

bla
-

y - o
xla

y = b/4

MX

MV

3.00

+0.035
+0.057
+0.051

+0.010
+0.016
+0.013

2.50

to031
+0.052
+0047

2.00

y = b/2
4

MV

+0026
+0.044
+0.041

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.013
-0.011

-0.039
-0.063
-0055

+0.011
+0.017
+0.015

+0.021
+0.036
+0.036

+0010
+0.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.012
-0.011

-0.038
-0.062
-0.055

+0.025
+0.042
+0.041

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.015
+0.028
+0.029

+0.009
+0.015
+0.013

-0.007
-0.012
-0.011

-0.037
-0.059
-0.053

1.75

to.020
+0.036
+0.036

+0013
+0.020
+0.017

+0.012
+0.023
+0025

+0.008
+0.013
+0.012

-0.007
-0.011
-0.010

-0.035
-0.057
-0051

1.50

+0.015
+0.028
+0.030

+0.013
+0.021
+0.017

+0.008
+0.016
+0.020

+0007
+0.011
+0.011

-0.006
-0.010
-0.010

-0.032
-0.052
-0.048

1.25

+o 009
+0.019
+0.023

+0.012
+0.019
+0.017

+0.005
+0.011
+0.014

+0.005
+o 009
+0.009

-0006
-0 009
-0.009

-0.028
-0.045
-0.043

1.00

+0.005
+0011
+0.016

+0.009
+0.016
+0014

+0.002
+0006
+0.009

+0.003
+0.006
+0.007

-0.004
-0.007
-0.007

-0020
-0.035
-0.035

0.75

+0.001
to.005
+0.009

+0.006
+0.011
+0.011

0
+0.002
+0.005

+0.002
+0.003
to.005

-0.002
-0.004
-0.005

-0.012
-0022
-0.025

0.50

0
+0.001
+0.004

+0.003
+ 0.005
+0.007

0
+0.001
+0.002

+0.001
+0.001
+0.002

-0.001
-0.002
-0.003

-0.005
-0.010
-0.014

Minus s,gn lndlcates

vx

bla
-

y - o
4
0

y = b/4
MY

Y
0

MY

to.028
kO.049
bO.046

to.070
+0.061
+0.049
+0.030

+0.015
+0032
+0.034

+0.027
+0.028
+0026
+0.018

2.50

0
bO.024
bO.042
bO.041

+0.061
+0053
+0.044
10027

0
+0.010
+0.025
+0.030

2.00

0
bO.016
kO.033
bO.035

+0.045
+0042
+0.036
r0.024

1.75

0
IO.013
bO.028
10.031

150

y = b/2
MX

-0.034
-0.027
-0.017

-0.196
-0.170
-0.137
-0.087

+0.019
+0.022
+0.022
+0.016

0
-0.026
-0023
-0.018

-0.138
-0132
-0.115
-0.078

0
+0.006
+0.020
+0.025

+0.011
+0.014
+0.016
+0.014

0
-0.019
-0.018
-0.013

-0.091
-0.094
-0.089
-0.065

+0.036
+0.035
+0.032
+0.022

0
+0005
10017
r0.021

+0008
+0.011
co.014
10012

0
-0015
-0015
-0.012

-0.071
-0.076
-0076
-0.059

0
moo9
bO.022
10.027

+0027
+0.028
+0.027
+0020

0
+0.003
+0012
+0.017

+0.005
+0008
+0.011
+0.011

0
-0012
-0013
-0.010

-0052
-0.059
-0.063
-0.052

1.25

0
10.005
bO.017
10.021

co.017
+0020
+0023
+0.017

0
+0.002
+0.009
10013

+0.003
+0.005
+0.009
+0.009

0
-0008
-0010
-0.009

-0034
-0.042
-0.049
-0.044

1.00

0
to.002
'0 010
too15

+O.OlO
+0013
+0.017
+0.015

0
+o 000
+0005
+o 009

+0.002
io.003
+0006
+0.007

0
-0005
-0.007
-0007

-0.019
-0.025
-0.036
-0036

075

0
~0.001
to.005
~0.010

+0005
+0008
+0011
+0.012

0
+o.ooo
+0002
+0.006

+0001
+0.002
+0004
+0.004

0
-0.003
-0004
-0.005

-0.008
-0013
-0022
-0026

0.50

0
~0.000
bO.002
a007

+0.002
+0004
+0.006
+0008

0
+o.ooo
+0001
+0.002

0
+0001
+0.002
+0.002

0
-0.001
-0002
-0.003

-0.003
-0.005
-0.010
-0014

3.00

ienslon on the loaded side I all tables

~
/ ,"

Table 4

Table 3

Moment = Coef. x

wa3

ID;;

,w 4
xla

Coef. x

bvaz

Xl

i~hngea 1 - y
_I
I

y = b/4

y=o
bla

Moment

1P@

y=o

y = b/2

y = b/4

bla

MX

MY

Mx

M*

MY

0
+0.010
+0.005
-0.033
-0.126

+0025
+0.019
+0.010
-0.004
-0.025

0
+0.007
+0.008
-0.018
-0.092

to.014
+0.013
+0.010
-0 000
-0.018

0
-0014
-0.011
-0.006
0

-0.082
-0.071
-0055
-0.028
0

0
+0.012
+0.011
-0.021
-0.108

+0.027
+0.022
+0.014
-0.001
-0.022

0
+0.007
+0.008
-0.010
-0.077

+0.013
+0.013
+0010
+0.001
-0.015

0
-0.013
-0.011
-0.005
0

-0.074
-0.066
-0.053
-0.027
0

0
+0.013
+0.015
-0.008
-0.086

+0.027
+0.023
+0.016
+0.003
-0.017

0
+0.006
+0.010
-0.002
-0.059

+0.009
+0.010
+0.010
+0.003
-0.012

0
-0.012
-0.010
-0.005
0

-0.060
-0.059
-0 049
-0.027
0

0
+0.012
+0.016
-0.002
-0.074

+0.025
+0.022
+0016
+0.005
-0.015

0
+0.005
+0.010
+0.001
-0.050

+0.007
+0.008
+0.009
+0.004
-0.010

0
-0010
-0 009
-0.005
0

-0.050
-0.052
-0.046
-0.027
0

0
to.008
to.016
to.003
-0.060

+0.021
+0.020
+0.016
+0006
-0.012

0
+0.004
+0.010
+0.003
-0.041

+0.005
+0.007
+0.008
+0.004
-0.008

0
-0.009
-0.008
-0005
0

-0.040
-0.044
-0042
-0.026
0

1.25

0
to.005
+0.014
+0.006
-0.047

+0.015
+0.015
+0.015
+0.007
-0.009

0
+0.002
+0.008
+0.005
-0031

+0.003
+0.005
+0.007
+0.005
-0.006

0
-0.007
-0.007
-0.005
0

-0.029
-0.034
-0.037
-0024
0

1.00

0
to.002
+0.009
+0.008
-0.035

+0.009
+0.011
+0.013
+0.008
-0.007

0
0
+0.005
+0.005
-0.022

+0.002
+0003
to.005
+0.004
-0.005

0
-0.005
-0.006
-0.004
0

-0018
-0.023
-0.029
-0.020
0

0.75

0
+0.001
+0.005
+0.007
-0024

+0.004
+0.008
+0.010
+0.007
-0.005

0
0
+0.002
+0.003
-0.015

+0.001
+0.002
+0.003
+0.003
-0.003

0
-0.002
-0.003
-0.003
0

-0007
-0.011
-0.017
-0.013
0

0.50

0
0
+0.002
+0.004
-0.015

+0.001
+0.005
+0.006
+0.006
-0.003

0
0
+0.001
+0.001
-0.008

0
+0.001
+0.001
+0.001
-0.002

0
-0.001
-0.002
-0.001
0

-0002
-0.004
-0.009
-0.007
0

Mx

MY

MX

3.00

IO.089
to.118

to022
+o 029

+0077
+0101

to.025
to.034

2.50

bO.085
to112

+0.024
+0.032

+0.070
+o 092

+0.027
+0.037

2.00

0076
+0.100

+0.027
+0.037

+0.061
+0.078

+0.028
+0038

1.75

+0.070
+0091

+0.029
+0040

+0.054
+0.070

+o 029
+0.039

1.50

to.061
t0.076

+0.031
+0.043

+0047
+0.059

to.029
+0.040

125

to 049
+0063

+0.033
+0.044

+0038
+0.047

+0.029
+0.039

1.00

to.036
10.044

+0.033
+0044

+0.027
+0033

+0027
+0036

0.75

to.022
to.025

+0.029
+0.038

+0.016
+0.018

+0023
+0.030

to.020
+0025

+0007
+0.007

bO.015
+0.019

0.50

.O.OlO
-0 009

Table 5. Moment Coefficients for Tanks with Walls Free at Top and Hinged at Bottom
b/a = 3.0
y = o
c/a
Mx

M,

MZ

3.00

0
+0.028
+0.049
+0.046

+0.070
+0.061
+0.049
+0.030

0
+0.015
+0.032
+0.034

+0.027
+0.028
+0026
+0.018

0
-0.034
-0.027
-0.017

-0196
-0170
-0137
-0087

0
+0.015
+0.032
+0.034

+0027
+0026
+0.026
+0.018

2.50

0
+0.028
+0.049
+0.046

+0.073
+0.063
+0.050
+0.030

0
+0.016
+0.033
+0.037

+0033
+0033
+o 029
+0.020

0
-0030
-0.025
-0.017

-0.169
-0.151
-0.126
-0.084

0
+0.009
+0.023
+0.029

0
+0.029
+0.050
+0.046

+0.075
+0.065
f0.051
+0.031

0
+0.017
+0.035
+0.037

+o 039
+0.036
+0.032
+0.021

0
-0.027
-0.023
-0016

-0.146
-0133
-0.113
-0078

0
+0.029
+0.050
+0.046

+0.076
+0065
+0.052
+0.031

0
+0.018
+0036
+0037

+0041
+0038
+0033
+0.021

0
-0025
-0.021
-0.015

0
+0.030
+0050
+0.046

+0.077
+0.066
+0.053
+0031

0
+0.018
+0.037
+0.038

+0.043
+0.039
+0.034
+0.022

0
+0.030
+0.050
+0.047

+0.078
+0.067
+0.054
+0.032

0
+0.019
+0.038
+0.038

0
+0.030
+0.051
+0.047

+0.079
+0067
+0054
+0032

0
+0.029
+0.051
+0.047
0
+0.029
+0.050
+0.046

Moment

z = cl4

y =b/2

y = b/4

Coef. x wa3

1.25

I=0
M,

M,

0
+0028
+o 049
+0046

+0.070
+0061
to.049
+0030

to013
+0.014
+0.017
+0014

0
+0022
+0041
+0040

+0057
+0050
+0043
+0027

0
+0.002
+o.o1f3
+0.022

-0.005
-0.002
+0.005
+0008

0
+0.013
10030
+0034

+0031
+0.032
+o 029
+0020

-0.137
-0.125
-0.106
-0074

0
-0.003
+0011
+0.018

-0.018
-0.012
-0.003
+0.004

0
+0.007
+0.023
+0.027

+0014
+0.018
+0.020
+0015

0
-0.024
-0.020
-0.014

-0.129
-0.118
-0.100
-0.070

0
-0.007
+o 005
+0013

-0033
-0.024
-0.012
0

0
+0.002
+0.015
+0021

-0.006
+0.004
+0.010
+0.010

+0.045
+0.041
+0.035
+0.023

0
-0022
-0.019
-0.014

-0.122
-0111
-0 095
-0.068

0
-0.011
0
+0.008

-0.052
-0 039
-0.022
-0006

0
-0.004
+0.008
+0.016

-0.031
-0.018
-0.005
+0.001

0
+0.020
+0.038
+0.038

+0.047
+0.043
+0.036
+0.023

0
-0.021
-0.018
-0.013

-0118
-0105
-0.090
-0.065

0
-0.015
-0005
to003

-0074
-0.056
-0.034
-0.014

0
-0.010
+0001
+0.009

-0.060
-0.042
-0.022
-0.009

+o 079
+0.066
+0.053
+0.031

0
+0.020
+0.037
+0.037

+0.047
+0.042
+0.036
+0.022

0
-0.021
-0.018
-0.013

-0.120
-0107
-0 090
-0066

0
-0.020
-0.011
-0.002

-0 098
-0 079
-0.051
-0.025

0
-0.016
-0.006
+0.003

-0.092
-0.070
-0045
-0024

+0.078
+0.065
+0.053
+0.031

0
+0.019
+0.035
+0.036

+0.047
+0.042
+0.035
+0.021

0
-0.023
-0.019
-0.014

-0.130
-0.115
-0.095
-0.068

0
-0.024
-0.016
-0.007

-0.126
-0105
-0.073
-0.040

0
-0.022
-0.013
-0.004

-0123
-0101
-0071
-0042

b/a = 2.5

2.50

1.25

y = b/2

y = b/4
c/a

z=o

z = cl4

MX

MY

MY

M*

MZ

0
+0.024
+0042
+0.041

+0.0.!31
+0.053
+0.044
to.027

0
+0010
+0025
+0.030

co.019
+0.022
+0.022
+0016

0
-0.026
-0023
-0.016

-3138
-0132
-0.115
-0.078

0
+0010
+0025
+0.030

+0.019
+0.022
+0.022
+0.016

0
+0.024
+0042
+0.041

+0.061
+0053
+0.044
+0027

0
+0.025
+0.043
+0042

+0065
+0.055
+0.046
+0.028

0
+0.012
iO.028
+0.031

+0.026
to.027
+0.025
+0.018

0
-0.023
-0.020
-0014

-0.118
-0.113
-0.102
-0.070

0
+0005
+0.018
+0023

+0.003
+0.006
+0.011
+0.011

0
+0.015
+0.032
+0034

+0.038
+0.037
+0.033
+0.022

0
+0.025
+0.044
+0043

.-.,7
+0.057
+0.047
+0.028

0
+0.013
+0.029
+0.033

+0.030
+0.030
+0.027
+0.019

0
-0.021
-0.019
-0013

-0.108
-0.104
-0.096
-0.066

0
+0.001
+0.013
+0019

-0.006
-0002
+0004
+0.008

0
+0010
to.025
+0.029

+0025
+0026
+0025
+0.019

0
+0.026
+0.045
+0043

to.068
+0.058
+0047
+0.029

0
+0.014
+0.030
+0.034

+0033
+0032
+0.029
+0.019

0
-0.019
-0.018
-0.013

-0100
-0.097
-0.089
-0.063

0
-0.003
+0.008
too15

-0018
-0.012
-0.002
+0004

0
+0004
+0017
+0024

+0.008
+0013
+0.017
+0015

0
+0.026
+0.045
+0.044

+0 069
+0.059
+0.048
+0.029

0
+0.015
+0.031
+0.034

+0035
+0034
+0031
+0.020

0
-0.018
-0.016
-0012

-0.092
-0.089
-0.082
-0 059

0
-0.006
+0.003
+0011

-0.030
-0.024
-0012
-0002

0
-0.002
+0.008
+0.018

-0010
-0.003
+0.007
+0008

0
+0.026
+0.046
+0.044

+0.070
+0.060
+0.048
+0.029

0
+0.015
+0.031
+0.033

+0037
+0036
+0.032
+0021

0
-0.017
-0.015
-0.011

-0087
-0.083
-0077
-0056

0
-0010
-0.003
+0.006

-0.045
-0.036
-0.021
-0.008

0
-0.008
-0.001
+0011

-0032
-0021
-0008
0

0
+0.025
+0.045
+0043

+0.070
+0.060
+0.047
+0.029

0
to.015
+0.030
+0.033

+0.038
+0.037
+0.032
+0.020

0
-0.016
-0.014
-0.011

-0082
-0.078
-0071
-0.054

0
-0014
-0.008
+0.002

-0062
-0053
-0.035
-0016

0
-0.014
-0.009
+o 005

-0.055
-0.042
-0.025
-0.011

0
+0.025
+0.044
+0.042

+0.069
+0.059
+0.046
+0.028

0
+0.014
+0028
+0.032

+0.039
+0.038
+0.032
+0.019

0
-0.015
-0.014
-0.010

-0080
-0075
-0.068
-0.052

0
-0.019
-0.014
-0.003

-0.081
-0.072
-0.056
-0030

0
-0019
-0017
-0002

-0.080
-0.068
-0.048
-0.026

t
y = o

ca

2.0

y = b/2

y = b/4

M,

MY

2.00

0
+0016
+0033
+0.036

+0.045
+0.042
+0.036
+0.024

1.75

0
+0.017
+0.034
+0036

1.50

M,
0

M,

M,
0

z=o

z = cl4

MY

M,

0
+0.006
+0020
+0025

to011
+0.014
+0016
to014

+0.016
+0.033
+0.036

co.045
+0.042
+0.036
+0024

MZ

+0.006
+o.ozo
+0.025

+0.011
+0.014
+0.016
+0.014

-0.019
-0.018
-0.013

-0091
-0.094
-0.089
-0.065

+0048
+0.044
+0.038
+0.024

0
+0.007
+0.021
+0.025

+0.015
+0.017
+0019
+0.015

0
-0.017
-0.017
-0.012

-0.081
-0.085
-0.083
-0061

0
+0.003
+0.015
+0.020

-0001
+0006
+0011
+0012

0
+0.012
+0.027
10.031

~0032
co.032
+0.029
+0021

0
+0018
+0.035
+0.036

+0.050
+0.046
+0.039
+0.025

0
+o.ooa
+0.022
+0.026

+0019
+0.021
+0.021
+0.016

0
-0015
-0.015
-0.012

-0072
-0077
-0.076
-0.058

0
0
+o 009
+0.016

-0.010
-0002
+0004
+0.008

0
to.007
+0.020
+0.025

+0.018
'0020
co.022
10017

1.25

0
+0019
+0036
+0037

+0.052
+0.048
+0.041
+0.025

0
a009
+0.023
+0.026

+0023
+0.024
+0.023
+0.017

0
-0.014
-0.014
-0.011

-0064
-0.068
-0.069
-0054

0
-0.002
+0.005
+0.011

-0021
-0.013
-0004
+0.002

0
+0.001
+0011
+0016

0
'0005
+0012
+0.011

100

0
+0.019
+0.037
to.037

+0054
+0.050
+0.042
+0.026

0
+0.010
+0.024
+0.027

+0.027
+0.027
+0.025
+0.018

0
-0.012
-0.013
-0.010

-0.058
-0.062
-0.064
-0051

0
-0.005
0
+0006

-0037
-0025
-0.015
-0006

0
-0.005
+0.001
+0.008

-0.023
-0.013
0
to.004

075

0
+0.018
+0.038
+0.037

+0.055
+0.051
+0.043
+0.026

0
+0.011
+0.025
+0.027

+0.030
+0.029
+0026
+0.018

0
-0.012
-0.012
-0.010

-0.058
-0.062
-0.062
-0.049

0
-0.009
-0.005
+o.ooz

-0 049
-0040
-0 029
-0.015

0
-0010
-0.007
+0.001

-0.044
-0031
-0.015
-0.004

0.50

0
+0.018
+0.038
+0037

+0054
+0.052
+0.044
+0.026

0
+0.011
+0.025
+0.026

+0.030
+0.029
+0.025
+0.017

0
-0.014
-0.013
-0.010

-0.065
-0068
-0064
-0.050

0
-0012
-0010
-0.003

-0.064
-0056
-0.045
-0026

0
-0014
-0.012
-0.004

-0061
-0051
-0034
-0.018

w/a

1.5

I=

y = b/4

y-o

y = b/2

z=o

* = c/4

MY

M"

MX

MZ

-0.012
-0.013
-0.010

-0.052
-0.059
-0.063
-0.052

0
+0003
+0.012
+0.017

+0005
+0.008
+0.011
+0.011

0
+0.009
+0.022
+0.027

co.027
+0028
to.027
to.020

+0.008
+0.012
+0.014
+0.012

0
-0010
-0.011
-0.010

-0.045
-0.050
-0.056
-0.048

0
+0.001
+0007
60.013

-0005
-0.001
+0006
+0006

0
+0.004
+0.014
+0.018

coo11
+0015
+0.020
10016

0
+0.006
+0.015
to.019

+0013
+0.016
+0.017
+0.014

0
-0008
-0.010
-0.009

-0.038
-0.042
-0.049
-0.045

0
-0.002
+0.002
+0.008

-0.016
-0010
-0.003
+0.002

0
-0001
+0006
+o 009

-0.006
+0.001
+0010
+0.010

+0.038
+0.036
+0.033
+0.022

0
+0.007
+0.016
+0.019

+0.016
+0.018
+0.019
+0.015

0
-0.008
-0.008
-0.008

-0.034
-0.038
-0.042
-0.041

0
-0.005
-0.002
+0.003

-0024
-0.020
-0.014
-0.007

0
-0.004
-0.001
+0.002

-0.019
-0013
-0.004
+0001

+0.040
+0.037
+0.034
+0.022

0
+0.007
+0.017
+0.018

+0.017
+0.019
+0.020
+0.016

0
-0.008
-0.009
-0.008

-0.036
-0040
-0.044
-0.040

0
-0.008
-0.006
-0.002

-0030
-0031
-0.027
-0018

0
-0.007
-0.006
-0.004

-0.028
-0.027
-0020
-0010

M.

M I

1.50

0
+0.009
+0.022
+0.027

125

+0.027
+0.028
+0.027
+0.020

+0.003
+0.012
+0.017

+0.005
+0.008
+0.011
+0011

0
+0.010
+0.024
+0.027

+0.031
+0.031
+0.030
+0.021

0
+0.005
+0.014
+0.018

0
+0.011
+0.025
+0.028

+0.035
+0.034
+0.032
+0.022

0
+0.011
+0.025
+0028
0
+0.010
+0.024
+0.028

b/a = 1.0
c/a

Y = b/4

y-o

x/a

0
+0.002
+0.010
+0015

+0.010
+0.013
+0.017
+0.015

0
+0.003
+0.011
+0.016
0
+0.003
+0.012
+0.017

Y = b/2
Mb

0
+0.005
+0.009

+0.002
+0.003
+0006
+0.007

+0.016
+0.017
+0.020
+0.014

0
+0.001
+0.006
+0.009

+0.020
+0.018
+0.021
+0.013

0
+0.001
+0.008
+0.010

z=o

z = c/4
M

-0.005
-0.007
-0.007

-0.019
-0.025
-0036
-0036

+o.oc)7
+0.008
+0.009
+0.009

0
-0.004
-0.007
-0.006

+0.011
+0.010
+0.010
+0.009

0
-0.004
-0.006
-0.006

M,

MX
0

MZ

0
+0.005
+0.009

+0.002
+0.003
+0006
+0.007

+0002
+0.010
+0.015

+0.010
f0.013
+0017
+0.015

-0.013
-0.020
-0.033
-0.032

0
-0.001
+0.002
+0.004

-0.004
-0.005
-0.001
+0.002

0
-0.001
+0.005
+0.009

+0.003
+0.003
+0.007
fO008

-0.011
-0.018
-0.032
-0.031

0
-0002
+0.001
+0002

-0.007
-0.012
-0.009
-0.005

0
-0.003
+0.002
+0.006

-0.005
-0.007
-0.005
+0.001

Table 6. Moment Coefficients for Tanks with Walls Hinged at Top and Bottom

Moment = Coef. x wa3

b/a = 3.0
C/a

y=o

w/a

y = b/4

.?=O

z = c/4

y = b/2

MX

MY

Mx

MY

-0 008

-0 039

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

MX

MI

+0035
+0057
+0051

+0.010
+0016
+0.013

3.00

+0.035
+0.057
+0.051

+0.010
+0.016
+0.013

+0.026
+0.044
+0.041

+0011
+0.017
+0014

-0.013
-0011

-0.063
-0.055

+0026
10044
+0041

2.50

+0.035
+0057
+0.051

+0.010
+0.016
+0.013

+0.026
+0.044
+0.041

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.012
-0.011

-0.039
-0.062
-0055

+0.021
+0036
+0036

+0010
+0.017
to014

+0031
+0.052
+0047

+0011
+0017
+0.014

2.00

+0.035
+0.057
to.051

+0.010
+0.016
+0013

+0.026
+0045
+0.042

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.012
-0011

-0.038
-0.062
-0.054

+0.015
+0.028
+0.029

to010
+0015
+0.013

+0025
+0043
+0041

to.013
to020
+0016

1.75

+0.035
+0.057
+0051

+0010
+0.015
+0013

+0027
+0.045
+0.042

+0.011
+0017
+0.014

-0.007
-0.012
-0.011

-0037
-0.060
-0053

+0011
+0021
+0024

+0008
+0.013
'0012

+0.020
+0036
+0.036

+0013
+0020
+0016

1.50

+0.035
+0.057
+0.051

+0.010
+0.015
+0.013

+0.027
+0.045
+0.042

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.007
-0.011
-0.010

-0.035
-0.057
-0.051

+0007
to.015
+0019

to.006
+0.010
+0011

to.014
+0027
to 029

+0013
+0020
to.017

1.25

+0.035
+0.057
+0.051

+0010
+0.015
+0.013

+0027
+0.046
+0.042

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.006
-0.011
-0.010

-0.032
-0.053
-0.048

+0.003
+0.008
+0013

+0.003
to.006
+0008

+0008
10017
+0.021

+0011
a017
+0.016

1.00

+0.035
+0.057
+0.051

+0.010
+0.015
+0013

+0.027
+0.046
+0.043

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.006
-0.010
-0.009

-0 029
-0.048
-0.044

-0001
to.002
+0.007

0
+0002
+0.004

to002
+0.007
+0.013

+0.008
+oc14
+0.013

0.75

+0.035
+0.057
+0.052

+0.010
+0.015
+0.013

+o.o2a
+0.046
+0043

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.005
-0.008
-0.008

-0.025
-0.042
-0.039

-0.003
-0.003
+0.002

-0005
-0005
-0002

-0002
-0.001
+0.006

+0.001
+0.007
+0.007

0.50

+0036
+0.057
+0.052

+0.010
+0.015
+0.013

+0.028
+0.047
+0.043

+0.011
+0.017
+0.014

-0.004
-0007
-0.007

-0.021
-0035
-0.033

-0004
-0007
-0.004

-0.011
-0.016
-0.010

-0.005
-0.006
-0001

-0.008
-0010
-0.004

b/a = 2.5
y = b/2

c/a

z=o

z = c/4

M,

MZ

MZ

2.50

+0.031
+0.052
+0.047

+0.011
+0.017
+0.015

+0.021
+0.036
+0.036

+0.010
to.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.012
-0.011

-0.038
-0.062
-0.055

+0.021
+0036
co.036

+0010
+0017
+0.014

+0031
+0.052
+0.047

+0.011
+0.017
+0.015

2.00

+0.031
+0.052
+0.047

+0.011
+0.017
+0.015

+0.021
+0.036
+0.036

+0.010
to.017
+0.014

-0.008
-0.012
-0.011

-0.038
-0.061
-0.054

+0.015
+0.028
+0.029

+o 009
+0015
+0.013

+0025
+0042
+0.041

+0.012
+0.020
+0.016

1.75

+0.032
+0.052
+0.047

+0.011
+0.018
+0.015

+0.021
+0.036
+0.036

+0.010
+0.017
+0.014

-0.007
-0.012
-0.011

-0.037
-0.059
-0.053

+0011
+0.022
+0.024

+0.008
+0.013
+0.012

+0.020
+0035
+0.035

+0.012
+0021
+0.017

1.50

+0.032
to.052
+0.047

+0.011
+0.018
+0.015

+0.022
+0.037
+0036

+0.010
+0.017
+0.014

-0.007
-0.011
-0.010

-0.035
-0057
-0.051

+0.007
+0.015
+0019

+0.006
+0.010
+0.010

'0.014
+0.027
+0.029

+0013
+0.021
+0.017

1.25

+0.032
+0.052
+0.048

+0.011
+0.018
+0.015

+0.022
+0.038
+0.037

+0010
+0.017
+0.014

-0.006
-0.011
-0.010

-0.032
-0.053
-0.048

+0003
+0.008
+0.014

+0.004
+0.007
+0.008

+0.007
co.018
+0022

+0.012
+0019
to.018

100

+0.032
+0.053
+0.048

+0.011
+0.018
+0.015

+0.023
+0038
+0.038

+0.011
+0.017
+0.015

-0.006
-0.010
-0.009

-0028
-0048
-0044

-0.001
+0.002
to.007

0
+0002
+a004

+0.002
to007
+0013

+0.008
+0014
+0013

0.75

+0.033
+0.054
+0.049

+0.011
+0.018
+0.015

+0024
+0.039
+0.038

co.011
+0.017
+0.015

-0005
-0.008
-0.008

-0.024
-0041
-0.039

-0003
-0.003
0

-0.005
-0005
-0002

-0.002
0
10006

-0.002
+0005
+0006

0.50

+0.033
+0.054
+0.049

+0.012
+0.018
+0.015

+0.024
+0040
+o 039

+0.011
+0.017
to015

-0004
-0.007
-0.007

-0.021
-0035
-0034

-0004
-0007
-0.004

-0.011
-0016
-0.010

-0.005
-0.006
-0.001

-0.008
-0010
-0004

b/a = 2.0
c/a

y - o

l-

y = b/4

Mx

y = b/2

z=o

z = cl4

Mx

MY

M,

Mz

2.00

+0.025
+0.042
+0.040

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.015
+0.028
+0.029

+0.009
+0.015
+0.013

-0007
-0012
-0.011

-0.037
-0.059
-0.053

to015
+0028
+0.029

+0.009
+0.015
+0013

+0.025
+0.042
+0.040

+0.013
+0020
+0.016

1.75

+0.025
+0.042
+0.040

+0.013
+o.ozo
+0.016

+0.015
+0.028
+0.029

+0.009
+0.015
+0.013

-0.007
-0.012
-0.010

-0.036
-0.058
-0052

+0.011
+0.022
+0.024

+0.008
+0.013
+0012

+0.020
+0.035
+0.035

+0.013
+0.021
+0.017

1.50

+0.025
+0.043
+0.041

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.016
+0.028
+0.029

+0.009
+0.015
+0.013

-0.007
-0.011
-0.010

-0034
-0.056
-0.050

+0.007
+0.015
+0.019

+0.006
+0.011
+0010

+0.014
+0027
+0.029

+0.013
+0.021
+0.017

125

+0.0?6
+0.043
+0.041

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.016
+0.029
+0.030

+0.010
+0.015
+0.013

-0.006
-0.010
-0.010

-0.032
-0052
-0.048

+0.003
+0.008
+0.013

+0003
+0007
+0008

+0.007
+0.018
+0.021

+0.011
+0.019
+0.016

1.00

+0.026
+0.044
+0.041

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.017
+0.030
+0.031

+0.010
+0.016
+0.014

-0.006
-0.009
-0.009

-0.028
-0.046
-0.044

-0.001
+0.002
+0.007

0
+0.002
+0.004

+0.002
+0.007
+0.013

+0.008
+0.014
+0.013

0.75

+0.027
+0.045
+0.042

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.018
+0031
+0.032

+0.010
+0.016
+0.014

-0.005
-0.008
-0.008

-0.024
-0.040
-0.041

-0.003
-0002
+0.002

-0.004
-0004
-0002

-0.001
0
to.005

+o.m2
+0.005
to.008

0.50

+0.027
+0.046
+0.042

+0.013
+0.020
+0.016

+0.019
+0.033
+0.032

+0.010
+0.017
+0.015

-0.004
-0.007
-0.007

-0.021
-0.034
-0.037

-0.004
-0.006
-0.003

-0010
-0015
-0010

-0.004
-0.006
-0.002

-0.007
-0.009
-0.003

b/a = 1.5
c/a

y - o

y = b/4

y = b/2

z = c/4

z=o

MY

MY

MY

MZ

150

+0015
+0.028
+0.030

+0013
+0.021
+0.017

+0.008
+0.016
+0.020

+0.007
+0.011
+0.011

-0.006
-0.010
-0.010

-0.032
-0.052
-0.048

+0008
+0.016
+0.020

+0.007
+0.011
+0.011

+0.015
+0.028
+0.030

+0.013
+0.021
+0.017

125

+0.016
+0.029
+0.030

+0.013
+0.021
+0.017

+0.009
+0.017
+0.020

+0.008
to.012
+0.012

-0.006
-0.010
-0.009

-0.029
-0.049
-0.045

+0.004
+0.009
+0.014

+0.004
+0008
+o 009

+0.009
+0.018
+0023

+0.012
+0.019
+0.016

+0.016
+0.030
to.031

+0.013
+0.021
to.017

+0.010
+0.019
+0.021

+0.009
+0.012
+0.013

-0005
-0.009
-0.008

-0.025
-0.043
-0.041

0
to.003
+0008

+0.001
+0.003
+0.005

+0.003
+0.008
+0.014

+0008
+0014
+0.014

+0.018
+0.032
+0.032

+0.014
+0.022
+0.018

+0.011
+0.021
+0.022

+0.010
+0.014
+0.014

-0.004
-0.007
-0.007

-0.021
-0036
-0.036

-0002
-0.002
+0.002

-0.003
-0.004
0

-0.001
+0.001
+0.006

to.002
+0.005
+0.008

+0.020
+0035
+0034

+0.016
+0.024
+0.020

+0.013
+0.023
+0.024

+0.012
+0.018
+0.016

-0.003
-0.006
-0.007

-0.017
-0.031
-0.033

-0.003
-0.006
-0003

-0 009
-0.014
-0.008

-0004
-0.005
-0.001

-0006
-0007
-0001

b/a = 1.0
c/a

y=o

y = b/4
4

z=o

I = c/4

y = b/2

MY

M.

M,

M.x

+0.005
+0.011
+0016

+0.009
+0.016
+0.015

+0.002
+0.006
+0.009

+0.003
+0.006
+0.007

-0.004
-0.007
-0.007

-0.020
-0.035
-0.035

+0.002
+0.006
+0.009

+0.003
+0.006
+0.007

+0.005
+0.011
+0.016

+0.009
+0.016
+0.015

+0.006
+0.013
+0.017

+0010
+0.017
+0016

+0.003
+0.008
+0.010

+0.004
+0.008
+0.008

-0003
-0.006
-0.006

-0.016
-0.029
-0.031

0
+0.001
+0.004

0
+0.001
+0.003

+0.001
+0.005
+0.008

+0.005
+o 009
+0010

to.007
+0.015
+0.018

+0.011
+0018
+0.016

+0.005
+0.010
+0.012

+0.006
+0.010
+0.010

-0.002
-0.004
-0.005

-0.010
-0.021
-0.026

-0.002
-0.003
-0.001

-0.005
-0.007
-0.004

-0.003
-0.003
0

-0.002
-0.002
+0.001

triangle with the same area as the trapezoid representing the actual load distribution. The intensity of load is
the same at middepth in both cases and when the wall
is supported at both top and bottom edges, the discrepancy between triangle and trapezoid has relatively little
effect at and near the supported edges

In this manner, moment coefficients were computed


and are tabulated in Tables 5 and 6 for top and bottom
edge conditions as shown for single-cell tanks with a
large number of ratios of b/a and c/a, b being the larger
and c the smaller of.the horizontal tank dimensions. Moments in vertical and horizontal directions equal the
coefficients times wa3, in which w is the weight of the
liquid. Note that the loading term is wa3 for all wall slabs
subject to hydrostatic pressure but is wa2 for the floor
slab in Table 4, which has uniformly distributed load. In
the first case, w is weight per cubic foot, but in the latter
it is weight per square foot.
There is a peculiarity about the horizontal end moments in the slabs at the free top edge. Calculations of
such moments by means of the trigonometric series
used result in a value of zero, whereas these moments
actually have finite values and may even be comparatively large. Horizontal end moments at the free edge
were therefore established by extrapolation. The consistency of extrapolated moment coefficients was
checked by plotting and studying curves. This gave
reasonably good results, although coefficients thus
determined are probably not quite as accurate as the
coefficients that were computed. A condition prevails at
the quarter point of the free edge, similar to that at the
end point but to a lesser degree. At the midpoint of the
free edge the coefficients were computed, extrapolation
being used only for checking purposes.
When a tank is built underground, the walls must be
investigated for both internal and external pressure. The
latter may be due to earth pressure or to a combination
of earth and groundwater pressure. Tables and other
data presented can be applied in the case of pressure
from either side but the signs are opposite. In the case
of external pressure, actual load distribution may not
necessarily be triangular as assumed in the tables.
Consider for illustration a tank built below ground with
earth covering the roof slab and causing a trapezoidal
distribution of lateral earth pressure on the walls. In this
case it gives a fairly good approximation to substitute a

Shear Coefficients
Shear values along the edges of a tank wall are needed
for investigation of shear and development stresses.
Along vertical edges, shear in one wall is also used as
axial tension in the adjacent wall and must be combined
with bending moment to determine tensile reinforcement.
Various data for shear were computed and are given
in Table 7. The wall is considered fixed at the two vertical edges while top and bottom edges are assumed to
be hinged. The wall panel with width b and height a is
subject to hydrostatic pressure due to a liquid weighing
w lb per cubic foot.
The first five lines in Table 7 are shears per linear foot
in terms of wa*. The remaining four lines are total shears
in kips or pounds depending on how w is given. Shears
per linear foot are for ratios of b/a = %, 1,2, and infinity.
The difference between the shear for b/a = 2 and infinity
is so small that there is no necessity for computing coefficients for intermediate values.
When b/a is large, a vertical strip of the slab near midpoint of the b dimension will behave essentially as a
simply supported one-way slab. Total pressure on a
strip 1 ft wide is 0.50waz, of which two-thirds or 0.33wa2
is the reaction at the bottom support and one-third or
0.17wa2 is the reaction at the top. Note in Table 7 that
shear at midpoint of the bottom edge is 0.3290waz for
b/a = 2.0, the coefficient being very close to that of onethird for infinity. In other words, maximum bottom shear
is practically constant for all values of b/a greater than

Table 7. Shear at Edges of Slabs Hinged at Top and Bottom

bla

10

lnfmtty

Midpoint of bottom edge


Corner at bottom edge

+o 1407wa
- 0 2575wa

+o 2419we
-0 4397wa

+o 3290w.a
- 0 5633w.F

+o 3333waz
-0 6000wa

M,dpo,t of flxed side edge


Lower third-pant of side edge
Lower quarter-pant of side edge

+o 1260wa
*o 173&v@
0 1919wP

+O 2562wa
+o 3113wa
+o 3153w.e

+0.3604waz
0 4023wa
0 3904w.3

0 3912w.a
+0 4116wa
0 39t30wa.

Total at top edge


Total at bottom edge
Total at one foxed side edge
Total at all four edges
Negatwe
s,gn lndlcates
tEsbmated

reaction

0
0
0
0

OOOOwab
0460wa-b
2260wazb
5000wab

acts I darectlon

0
0
0
0

0052wab
0960wab
1994wab
5000waJb

of load

0
0
0
0

0536w.+b
1616wab
1322wab
5000wab

0
0
0
0

,203~~b
2715wab
0541wa.b
5000wa.b

0 1435wab
0 3023wab
0 0271 wab
0 5000wab

0
0
0
0

1667wab
3333wa.b
275wav
5000wab

\a
J

As will be shown, this is correct only when the top


edge is supported, not when it is free.
At the corner, shear at the bottom edge is negative
and numerically greater than shear at midpoint. The
change from positive to negative shear occurs approximately at the outer tenth points of the bottom edge.
These high negative values at the corners arise because deformations in the planes of the supporting
slabs are neglected in the basic equations and are
therefore of only theoretical significance. These shears
can be disregarded in checking shear and development
stresses.
Unit shears at the fixed edge in Table 7 were used for
plotting the curves in Fig. 1. There is practically no
change in shear curves beyond b/a = 2.0. Maximum
value occurs at a depth below the top somewhere between 0.6a and 0.8a. Fig. 1 is useful for determination of
shear or axial tension for any ratio of b/a and at any
point of a fixed side edge.
Total shear from top to bottom of one fixed edge in
Table 7 must equal the area within the corresponding
curve in Fig. 1, and this relationship was used for checking the curves Total shears computed and tabulated for
a hanged top were also used in making certain adjustments to determine approximate values of shear for
walls with free too-recorded in Table 8.
For b/a = % in Table 7, total shear at the top edge is so
small as to be practically zero, and for b/a = 1 .O total
shear, 0.0052, is only 1% of total hydrostatic pressure,
0.5000. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that removing the top support will not materially change total
shears at any of the other three edges when b/a = Y2 and
1. At b/a = 2.0, there is a substantial shear at the top
2.

Loading

term is omitted here.

9" 0.3
g
ij a4
f
g 0.5
% a6
p
B a7

1.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

Shear per lin. ft. = coef x wa2

Fig. 1.

Table 8. Shear at Edges of Slabs Free at Top


and Hinged at Bottom*

tJa

Mldpolnt

0 141wa:
-0 258wa-$

*o 242w.F
-0 440-a.

0 3awa7
- 0 583~9

0 45wet

Top of flxed side edge


Mldpomf of flxed side edge
Lower third-wont
of side edae

0 ooowa.
+O 128wa

0 olowa

*o 100wa

*O 258wa
*0311wa-

.o 375wa:
*o 406W%

-0 165wa-

*o 174ws

Lower quarter-WI,
of side edge
Total at bottom edge
Total at one faxed s,de edge
Total al all four edges

*o 315w.T

*o 390wa

Corner

of bottom edge
at

bottom

edge

192-a-

0 048wa b
0 226wa b

0 096wa.b
0 202wa.b

0 500w.s.

0 500wa-b

0 204wa.b
0 148wa:b
0 500wa. b

- 0 sowa
0 406WW
*o 416w.F
,O 398wa

0 286wa.b
0 107wa.b
0 500~4 b

Data dewed by modlfymg


values compufed
for waifs hanged fop and boflom
tThls value could not be esflmated
accurately beyond two decimal
places
Wegat~ve
s!gn lndlcates
react~o acts I d,recfwn
of load

edge when hinged, 0.0538, so that the sum of total


shears on the other three sides is only 0.4462. If the top
support is removed, the other three sides must carry a
total of 0.5000. A reasonable adjustment is to multiply
each of the three remaining total shears by 0.5000/
0.4462 = 1 .12, an increase of 12%. This was done in preparing Table 8 for b/a = 2.0. A similar adjustment was
made for b/a = 3.0, where the increase is 22%.
Total shears recorded in Table 8 were used to determine unit shears also recorded in that table. Consider
for illustration the shear curves in Fig. 1 and imagine the
top is changed from hinged to free. As already stated, for
b/a = % and 1 it makes little difference in total shearthe area within shear curves-whether the top is supported or not. Consequently, curves for b/a = % and 1
remain practically unchanged. They were transferred
almost without modification to Fig. 2, which covers the
case with top free. For b/a = 2 an adjustment was made.
A change in the support at the top has little effect upon
shear at the bottom of the fixed edge. Consequently, the
curves in Figs. 1 and 2 are nearly identical at the bottom.
Gradually, as the top is approached curves for the free
top deviate more and more from those for the hinged
top, as in Fig. 2. By trial, curve for b/a = 2 was so adjusted that its area equals the total shear for one fixed
edge for b/a = 2.0 in Table 8. A similar adjustment was
made for b/a = 3.0, which is the limit of moment coefficients given.
One point of interest stands out In a comparison of
Figs. 1 and 2. Whereas for b/a = 2.0 and 3.0 total shear
is increased 12% and 22%, respectively, when top is
free instead of hinged, maximum shear is increased but
slightly, 2% at most. The reason is that most of the increase in shear is near the top where shears are relatively small.
The same general procedure was applied, but not
illustrated, for adjustment of unit shear at midpoint of
bottom, but in this case the greatest change resulting
from making the top free is at midpoint where shear is

Fig. 3.

0.1

@.2

0.3

04

Shear per lin ft. - coef Y wa2

Fig. 2.
large for the hinged-top condition. For illustration, for
b/a = 3.0, unit shear at midpoint of the bottom is0.33wa2
with hinged top but 0.45wa2 with free top-an increase
of approximately one-third.
Shear data were computed for wall panels with fixed
vertical edges. They can be appli$d with satisfactory
results to any ordinary tank wall even if vertical edges
are not fully fixed.

Open-Top Single-Cell Tank


The tank in Fig. 3 has a clear height of a = 16 ft. Horizontal inside dimensions are b = 40 ft and c = 20 ft. The
tops of the walls are considered free and the bottom
hinged. The tank contains water weighing 62.5 lb per
cubic foot.
Coefficients for moment and shear are selected from
tables or diagrams for b/a = 40/16 = 2.50 and c/a =
20/l 6 = 1.25. Moments are in foot-kips if coefficients
are multiplied by wa3/1000 = 62.5 x 163/1000 = 256;
and shears are in kips if coefficients are multiplied by
waz/lOOO = 62.5 x 16z/1000 = 16.
Moment coefficients taken from Table 5 for b/a = 2.50
and c/a = 1 .25 are tabulated below. Coefficients for x =
a (bottom edge), being equal to zero, are omitted.

0
'A
H
%

0
+0.026
+0.045
+0.044

+0069
GO59
+0046
to.029

0
+0015
+0.031
'0.034

+0035
+0034
+0.031
+0020

0
-0.016
-0.016
-0.012

-0.092
-0.089
-0.062
-0059

0
-0006
'0.003
+001,

-0.030
-0.024
-0.012
-0.002

-:002
+O.@X3
+o,o,i3

I:::;;
+OOO,
+0008

The largest moment occurs in the horizontal direction at the top of the corner common to both walls and
equals -0.092wa3 = -0.092 x 256 = -23.6 ft kips. The
negative sign simply indicates that tension is on the in-

10

side and need not be considered In subsequent calculations.


Maximum horizontal moment at midpoint of the longer
wall is +0.069wa3 = +0.069 x 256 = +17.7 ft kips. The
positive sign shows that tension is in the outside of the
wall. There is also some axial tenslon on this section
that can be taken equal to end shear at the top of the
shorter wall. For use in connection with Fig. 2, ratio of
b/a for the shorter wall is 20/ 16 = 1.25. Shear is 0.03wa2
= 0.03 x 16 =0.48 kips. The effect of axial tension is negligible in this case and the steel area can be determined
as for simple bending.
Horizontally at x = a/2, axial tension taken from Fig. 2
for b/a = 1.25 is equal to N = -0.30wa2 = -0.30 x 16 =
-4.80 kips per linear foot, which is not negligible. Moment is M = 0.048wa3 = 0.048 x 256 = 12.3 ft kips.
In the shorter wall, positive moments are all relatively
small. Maximum positive moment is vertical: 0.01 8wa3
= 0.018 x 256 = 4.6 ft kips.
Maximum Mx in the vertical strip at midpoint ot longer
panel is 0.045wa3 = 0.045 x 256 = 11.5 ft klps.
Maximum shear at the bottom taken from Table 8 is
V = 0.42wa2 = 0.42 x 16 = 6.72 kips.

Closed Single-Cell Tank


The tank in this section differs from the preceding one
only in that the tops of the walls are considered hinged
rather than free. This condition exists when the tank is
covered by a concrete slab with dowels extending from
the wall into the slab without moment reinforcement
across the bearing surface.
Moment coefficients taken from Table 6 are given
below. All coefficients for x = 0 (top edge) and x = a (bottom edge), being equal to zero, are omitted.

With a free top, maximum M, = +0.045wa3 and maximum My = -0.092wa3. With a hinged top, maximum n/l,
= +0.052wa3 and maximum My = -0.053wa3. It is to be
expected that a wall with hinged top will carry more load
vertically and less horizontally, but it is worth noting that
maximum coefficient for vertical moment is only 13%

less for wall with free top than with hinged top.
Another noteworthy point is that maximum M, coefficient at y = 0 is +0.069 for a free top but +0.018 for a
hinged top. Adding top support causes considerable
reduction in horizontal moments, especially at y = 0.
Maximum moment is -0.053~~1~ = -0.053 x 256 =
-13.6 ft kips.
Maximum moment in a vertical strip is M = 0.052~~1~ =
0.052 x 256 = 13.3 ft kips. Axial compression (N) on the
section subject to this moment, and loads per linear foot
can be taken as follows:
8-ft-high wall: 8 x 1 .08 x 0.150 = 1.3 kips
12-in. top concrete slab: 0.150 x20/2 = 1.5 kips
3-ft fill on top of slab: 0.300 x 20/2 =3.0 kips
Live load on top of fill: 0.100 x 20/2 = 1 .O kips
6.8 kips
It is conservative to check compressive stress forN =
6.8 kips and to design tensile steel for N = 1 .3 + 1.5 = 2.8
kips, in which fill and live load are disregarded.

Top and Base Slabs


The closed single-cell tank is covered with a concrete
slab. Assume the slab is simply supported along all four
sides and has a live load of 100 psf and an earthfill
weighing 300 psf.
Estimating slab thickness as 12 in. gives a total design
load of 100 + 300 + 150 = 550 psf. From Table 4, for a
ratio of 40/20 = 2, select maximum coefficient of 0.100,
which gives maximum M = 0.1 00wa2 F 0.100 x 0.550 x
20.02 = 22.0 ft kips.
At the corners, a two-way slab tends to lift off the
supports; and if this tendency is prevented by doweling
slab to support, cracks may develop in the top of the
slab across its corners. Nominal top reinforcement
should therefore be supplied at the corners, say0.005bd
sq in. per foot in each direction. Length of these bars can
be taken as %a = l/4 x 20 = 5 ft.
Assume the closed single-cell tank has a base slab of
reinforced concrete. Weight of base slab and liquid does
not create any bending or shearing stresses in concrete
provided the subsoil is uniformly well compacted. Weight
transferred to the base through the bottom of the wall is
Top slab: 0.550 x 22 x 42 = 510 kips
Walls: 16x0.162(2x41.1 +2~21,1)=320kips
830 kips
If the base slab extends 9 in. outside the walls, its area
is 43.7 x 23.7 = 1035 sq ft. The average load of w =
830,000/ 1035 = 800 psf is used for design of the base
slab just as w = 550 psf was used for design of the top
slab.
Total average load on the subsoil is 16 x 62.5 + 800 +
weight of base slab, say 1000 + 800 + 200 = 2000 psf,
which the subsoil must be able to carry.
If there is an appreciable upward hydrostatic pressure
on the base slab, the slab should also be investigated for
this pressure when the tank is considered empty.
\

Multicell Tank
Multicell tanks do not lend themselves readily to mathematically accurate stress analysis It is possible, however, with the tables presented here for single-cell tanks
and for individual wall panels with fixed vertical edges to
estimate moment coefficients for symmetrical multicell
tanks with sufficient accuracy for design purposes. While
results obtained by the following procedure are approximate and should therefore be considered as a guide to
engineering judgment, the procedure does give a conservative design.
Because a rotation of one corner has comparatively
little effect on moments at adjacent corners in atankwith
wall panels supported on three or four sides, moments in
the walls of a multicell tank are essentially the same as
in single-cell tanks-except at corners where more than
two walls intersect. Moment coefficients from Tables 5
and 6, designated as L coefficients, apply to outer or Lshaped corners of multicell tanks (see Fig. 4a) as well as
to interior sections in all walls, that is, sections designated as y = b/4, y = 0, z = c/4, and z = 0. Moment coefficients for design sections at corners where more than
two panels intersect depend on the loading condition
producing maximum moment and on the number of intersecting walls.
In Fig. 4b, three walls form a T-shaped unit. If the continuous wall, or top of the T, is part of the long sides of
two adjacent rectangular cells, the moment in the continous wall at the intersection is maximum when both
cells are filled. The intersection is then fixed and moment coefficients, designated as F coefficients, can be
taken from Tables 1, 2, or 3, depending on edge conditions at top and bottom. These three tables cover panels
with fixed side edges. If the continuous wall is part of the
short sides of two adjacent rectangular cells, moment
at one side of the intersection is maximum, when the cell
on that side is filled while the other cell is empty. Likewise the end moment in the center wall is maximum
when only one cell is filled. For this loading condition the
magnitude of moment will be somewhere between theL
coefficients and the F coefficients. If the unloaded third
wall of the unit is disregarded, or its stiffness considered
negligible, moments in the loaded walls would be the
same as in Fig. 4a, that is, the L coefficients apply. If the
third wall is assumed to have infinite stiffness, the corner
is fixed and the f coefficients apply. The intermediate
value representing more nearly the true condition can
be obtained by the formula:
End moments = L -nG2(i -F)

ProportIons of tank being deslgned are such that for determlning


axial compression In sde walls, all the top load may be considered
carned the short way

(4

b)

Fig. 4.

11

in which n denotes number of adjacent unloaded walls.


This formula checks for n equal to zero and infinity. In an
L-shaped unit n equals 0 and the end moments equal
L - O(L - F) = L. Inserting n equal to infinity will give
nl(n + 2) = 1 and the end moments equal L - 1 (L - F) = f,
which also checks.
In Fig. 4c, two continuous walls form a cross. If intersecting walls are the walls of square cells, moments at
the intersection are maximum when any two cells are
filled and the F coefficients in Tables 1,2, or 3 apply because there is no rotation of the joint. If the cells are rectangular, moments in the longer of the intersecting walls
will be maximum when two cells on the same sideof the
wall under consideration are filled, and again the F coefficients apply. Maximum moments in the shorter walls
adjacent to the intersection occur when diagonally
opposite cells are filled, and for this condition the L coefficients apply.
Fig. 5 shows moment coefficients at wall intersecitions in two- and four-cell tanks. Where coefficients are
not shown, L coefficients of Tables 5 and 6 apply.

Two-Cell Tank, Long Center Wall


The tank in Fig. 6 consists of two adjacent cells, each
with the same inside dimensions as the open-top singlecell tank and the closed single-cell tank. The top is considered free.
In accordance with the types of units in Fig. 4, the tank
consists of four L-shaped and two T-shaped units. L coeff icients from Table 5 for b/a = 2.50 and c/a = 1.25, and
F coefficients from Table 2, for b/a = 2.50 and 1.25, are
tabulated as follows:
Long outer walls
L = coeffuents
from Table 5 for
bla = 2 . 5 0 a n d cla = 1 . 2 5
y = b/2
x/a

Mv

-0018
-0016
-0.012

-0.092
-0.089
-0082
-0 059

0 I 0
h
%

y =b/4

y = o

M.

Mv

0
to.015
to031
+0034

+0035
to.034
to.031
+0.020

Mx

Mv

0
+0.026
+0.045
I +0.044

to.069
+0.059
+o.o4a
+0.029

._r

Short outer walls


L = coefficients from Table 5 for
b l a = 2 . 5 0 a n d c/a = 1 2 5
x/a
0

h
%

.? = c/2
Mx

L = Cl4
Ml

0
-0.018
-0016
-0.012

-0.092
-0.089
-0.082
-0.059

=Tca~fetTfz
b/a = 1 25

z=o

.? =c/2

Mz

MN

Mz

M.Y

0
-0.006
+0.003
+0.011

-0.030
-0024
-0.012
-0.002

0
-0002
0.008
+0.018

-0.010
-0.003
+0.007
+0.008

0
-0.008
-0.010
-0.009

M,
-0034
-0.042
-0.049
-0044

I
L .L&
3
4

MZ

0
-0.015
-0.014
-0.011

-0.073
-0.073
-0.071
-0.054

Fig. 5.

Center wall
F = coef f r o m
Table 2 for
bla = 2.50

L = coefficients from Table 5 for


bla = 2.50 and c/a = 1.25
XIB
0
74
h
%

12

y=o
4
0
+0.026
+0.045
+0.044

MY
+0.069
to.059
+0.048
+0.029

y = b/4
4
0
to.015
io.031
+0034

y = b/2
MY

+0.035
to.034
+0.031
+0.020

MI
0
-0.018
-0.016
-0.012

MY
-0.092
-0.089
-0.082
-0.059

y =b/2
4
0
-0.026
-0.023
-0016

MY
-0.138
-0.132
-0.115
-0.078

L L-F
3
4
0
-0.021
-0.018
-0.013

MY
-0.107
-0.103
-0.093
-0.065

VLLg

Short outer walls


L = coefflcents
from Table 5 for
b/a = 2 50 and c/a = 1 25

Long outer walls

Fig. 6.
y = b/2

Note that f coefficients in this tabulation are used


only for calculation of coefficients L-L-that are to be
3
used for design at the intersection of the center and
outer walls as shown in Fig. 5a.
Coefficients for the center wall are for one cell filled,
the negative sign indicating tension on the loaded side.
All signs must be reversed when the other cell is filled.
Shear coefficients in Tables 7 and 8 as well as in Figs.
1 and 2 can be applied both to center and outer walls.

Two-Cell Tank, Short Center Wall

The tank in Fig. 7 consists of two cells with the same


inside dimensions as the cells in the two-cell tank with
the long center wall. The difference is that the center
wall is 40 ft wide in the previously discussed tank, but
20 ft wide in this example.
Design procedure is identical for both two-cell tanks,
but the schedule of coefficients is different because the
longer side of the cell in Fig. 7 is continuous instead of
the shorter side as in Fig. 6.
Note from the following tabulation that the long wall
must be designed for a maximum M, coefficient that
occurs at the center wall of -0.138 instead of -0.092 at
the corner in the tank in Fig. 6. Maximum moment is M,, =
-0.1 38wa3 = -0.138 x 256 = -35.3 ft kips.

F = coel from
Table 2 for
b/a = 2 50

L = coeffxwXs
from Table 5 for
b a = 2 50 and cia = 1 25

-0092
I
0
069
+ o 015
-0 062
+o 0 3 1
-0 059 I +o 034

lo

I1

J/r

y = b/4

-0016
-0 016

+0035
+o 034
*o 0 3 1
-0 020

-0

-0 012

y=o

0
*O 026
0 045
0 044

y = b/2

10069
to 059
0 046
*o 029

1 0
-0 026
-0 023
-0016

-0
-0
-0
-0

138
132
115
078

Center wall
F = cod from
Table 2 for
ba= 1 2 5

I = Cl4

.? = Cl2

z=o

ma
0
%
%
y.

L = coefflclents from Table 5 for


b/a = 2.50 and c a = 1 25

Mx

Mz

0
-0002
+0 OQ6
+0018

-0.010
-0003
10007
+ooo6

Mx

z = Cl2

Mz

0
-0030
-0.006 -0 024
to.003 - 0 . 0 1 2
+0.011 -0002

L-F
L-T

Mx

Mz

MZ

Mx

0
- 0 016
-0.016
-0012

-0092
-0 089
-0 062
-0059

0
-0006
-0010
-0.009

-0.034
-0.042
-0 049
-0044

0
-0.015
-0.014
-0011

Mz
-0073
-0 073
-0.071
-0.054

Counterforted Tank Walls


In a tank or reservoir with large horizontal dimensions,
say three or four times the height, and without a reinforced concrete cover slab, it becomes necessary to
design walls as cantilevers or, when they are quite high,
as counterforted walls. The slab in Fig. 8 is free at the top
and may be considered fixed at the bottom. If counterforts are spaced equidistantly, the slab may also be
taken as fixed at counterforts. For this type of construction, coefficients in Table 3 apply.

Fig.

a.

Consider for illustration a wall panel of a counterforted wall in which spacing of counterforts is b = 40 ft and
height is a = 20 ft. From Table 3, for b/a = 40/20 = 2,
select the following coefficients.
r

y=o
Mx

MY

y = b/4
4

y = b/2

I
MV

f"%

MV

Fig. 7.

13

Procedure for using these coefficients to determine


moments and design of the wall is similar to that illustrated for the open-top single-cell tank shown in Fig. 3.

Details at Bottom Edge


Note that all tables except one are based on the assumption that the bottom edge is hinged. It is believed
that this assumption in general is closer to the actual
condition than that of a fixed edge. Consider first the
detail in Fig. 9, which shows the wall supported on a
relatively narrow continuous wall footing, and then Fig.
10 in which the wall rests on a bottom slab.

joint filler, but both iron powder and lead are not always
readily available. A waterstop may not be needed in the
construction joints when the vertical joint in Fig. 9 is
made watertight.
In Fig. 10 a continuous concrete base slab is provided
either for transmitting the load coming down through the
wall or for upward hydrostatic pressure. In either case,
the slab deflects upward in the middle and tends to rotate the wall base in Fig. 10 in a counterclockwrse
direction. The wall therefore is not fixed at the bottom edge.
It is difficult to predict the degree of restraint. The rotation may be great enough to make the bottom edge
hinged or may be even greater. Under the circumstances it is advisable to avoid placing moment reinforcement across the joint and to cross the dowels at
the center. The waterstop must then be placed off center as indicated. Provision for transmitting shear through
direct bearing can be made by inserting a key as in Fig. 9
or by a shear ledge as in Fig. 10.

The waterstop in Fig. 10 may be galvanized steel,

copper, preformed rubber, or extruded plastic.


At top of wall the detail in Fig. 10 may be applied except that the waterstop and the shear key are not essential. The main thing is to prevent moments from being
transmitted from the top of the slab into the wall because
the wall is not designed for such moments.

Fig. 9.

In Fig. 9 the condition of restraint at the bottom of the


footing is somewhere between hinged and fixed but
much closer to hinged than to fixed. Resultant of pressure on the subsoil lies well within the edge of the footing, and the product of resultant and its eccentricity is
usually much smaller than the moment at the bottom of
the wall when it is assumed fixed. Furthermore, thefooting must rotate about a horizontal axis in order to produce eccentric loading on the subsoil and rotation itself
represents a relaxation of restraint.
When the wall footing is not capable of furnishing
much restraint, it is not necessary to provide for hinge
action at the construction joint in Fig. 9. The dowels are
close to the surface, leaving the center of the joint free
for insertion of a shear key. Area of steel in the dowels
along each face may be taken as not less thanO.O025bd,
and extension of the dowels above the construction
joint may be made not less than say 3 ft.
The base slab in Fig. 9 is placed on top of the wall footing and the bearing surface is brushed with a heavy coat
of asphalt to break the adhesion and reduce friction
between slab and footing. The vertical joint between
slab and wall should be made watertight. A joint width of
1 in. at the bottom and 1% in. at the top is considered
adequate. As indicated in Fig. 9, the bottom of the joint
may be filled with oakum, the middle with volcanic clay
of a type that expands greatly when moistened, and the
upper part sealed with mastic. Any leakage will make
the clay penetrate into fissures and expand, plugging
the leak. Mortar mixed with iron powder has been used
extensively for joints such as in Fig. 9, and so has lead

14

Fig. 10.

Metric Conversion Factors


To convert from
inch (in.)
feet (ft)
square feet (sq ft)
pound (lb)
kip (1000 lb)
Ib/lin ft
kip/lin ft
Ib/sq ft
Ib/cu ft
ft-kips
ft-kips

To
meter (m)
meter (m)
square meter (m2)
kilogram (kg)
kilogram (kg)
kg/m
kg/m
kg/m2
kg/m3
newton-meter (Nm)
kilogram-meter (kgm)

Multiply by
0.0254
0.3048
0.0929
0.4536
453.6
1.488
1488.
4.88
16.02
1356.
138.2

The prefixes and symbols listed are commonly used


to form names and symbols of the decimal multiples
and submultiples of the SI units.
Multiplication Factor

Prefix

Symbol

1 000 000 000 = 109


1 oooooo= 106
1000=10~
l=l
= 10-3
0.001
= 10-6
0.000 001
0.000 000 001 = 1 o-9

giga
mega
kilo

G
M
k
m
I-1
n

milli
micro
nano

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