Purpose Vertical cylindrical welded steel tanks are typical thin-walled structures that are very susceptible to buckling under settlement. The major concern in the design of these thin-walled structures is buckling failure. On this basis and by considering the findings of the previously reported research works, the stability performance of open-top steel tanks with various industrial applications under local support edge settlement is further investigated in this paper. This study aims to contribute to the current state-of-the-art in the design and retrofit of such thin-walled structures. Design/methodology/approach The buckling behaviors of numerous cylindrical shell models with various height-to-radius, radius-to-thickness and settlement span ratios are investigated through linear and nonlinear buckling analyses. The effects of addition of a top stiffening ring on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel tanks are studied as well. Findings This parametric study demonstrates that the choice of the height-to-radius, radius-to-thickness and settlement span ratios as well as addition of the top stiffening ring can be quite effective on the stiffness and strength performances, deformations and stress distribution as well as intensity of vertical cylindrical welded steel tanks subjected to local support edge settlement. Originality/value This research endeavor was formulated on the basis of a comprehensive literature survey and demonstrates the relationship between geometrical as well as stiffening features and buckling stability performance of open-top tanks subjected to local support edge settlement and also provides practical recommendations for design and retrofit purposes.

Thin-walled steel storage tanks are generally located in coastal areas and therefore are prone to settlement. In investigating the effect of possible settlement types, the effect of local settlement is impressive due to its destructive impacts on the performance and stability of tanks. Hence, the need for laboratory studies to investigate the behavior of thin-walled tanks against this phenomenon becomes clear in advance. Many variables can be evaluated in the study of the effect of local settlement on the behavior of tanks. In this study, the variables of height-to-radius ratio ( L / R ) and settlement-range-to-tank-circumference ratio ( S ) were considered. The effect of top stiffening ring on tank’s behavior was also investigated. A total of 12 unstiffened and stiffened specimens with L / R = 1.0 and 1.5 as well as S = 0.05, 0.08, and 0.13 were tested in this experimental endeavor. All specimens had a radius-to-thickness ratio ( R / t ) of 500. This study shows that increasing of the L / R ratio improves the stiffness, strength, and toughness performances of the tank, while increasing of the S ratio results in the reduction of the aforementioned parameters. The presence of the top stiffening ring plays an important role in controlling the radial displacement and preventing the ellipse of the upper edge of the tank. Accordingly, it is demonstrated that tanks with the top stiffening ring have higher stiffness, strength, and toughness performances compared to the unstiffened tanks.

Local support settlement is a typical differential settlement which may take place under steel storage tanks and can adversely affect the stability performance of such thin-walled structures. Considering the practical applications of the thin-walled steel storage tanks in industry, proper treatment of this problem is essential to ensure the high structural performance of such members which albeit requires detailed investigations. On this basis, this study investigates the effects of the local support settlement on the buckling stability of two tanks without and with a top stiffening ring through the experimental and numerical approaches. The considered tanks are small-scale models with the height-to-radius and radius-to-thickness (slenderness) ratios of 1.0 and 834, respectively. Both experimental and numerical results show that the behavior of the tank under the local support settlement is nonlinear. Moreover, the effectiveness of the top stiffening ring in limiting the buckling deformation and improving the buckling performance of the tank is demonstrated in this study.

Polymer Concrete (PC) is a composite material made by fully replacing the cement hydrate binders of conventional cement concrete with polymer binders or liquid resins. As expected, the physico-mechanical properties of PC concrete are governed by the composition of the PC mixture. The present study aims to examine the effect of the aggregate type and of the addition of steel fibers on the mechanical properties of PC. In particular, two PC concrete mixtures, using granite or silica aggregates, have been developed and the effect of the addition of steel fibers has been investigated. The PC mixtures are characterized by mechanical tests such as the compression test, the flexural test, the splitting tensile test and the estimation of the energy absorption. The results of this study demonstrate a relative superiority, in terms of mechanical properties, of the PC made with granite aggregates as compared to that of the silica aggregate mixture. Moreover, the addition of steel fibers on PC mixtures showed a significant increase of the compressive toughness, of the splitting tensile and of the flexural strength, whereas the Young's modulus and compressive strength showed a slight increase.

Fiber/textile-reinforced lightweight concrete (F/TRLWC) can be used as an excellent building material for the structural/nonstructural elements due to its high flexural strength and low density with respect to the plain concrete. In this paper, eighteen panel specimens with different fiber/textile are subjected to three-point bending test to study the mechanical properties including flexural behavior, energy absorption, and ductility. The applications of these panels for use as wall or roof are also investigated. According to the results, F/TRLWC precast panels have sufficient energy absorption, flexural strength, and suitable ductility. Due to the appropriate characteristics, these panels can be used in constructing temporary precast houses.