International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 81 (2004) 913–917

www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpvp

Optimal sizes of a ground-based horizontal cylindrical tank

under strength and stability constraints
K. Magnuckia,b,*, J. Lewińskia, P. Stasiewicza
a
Institute of Applied Mechanics, Poznań University of Technology, ul. Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
b
Institute of Rail Vehicles ‘TABOR’, ul. Warszawska 181, 61-055 Poznań, Poland
Received 18 September 2003; revised 28 May 2004; accepted 1 June 2004

Abstract
The subject of the work is a typical ground-based horizontal cylindrical tank. Two load cases are assumed: total internal pressure and total
special pressure. A critical state of such a tank is described. An optimization criterion is formulated as the minimum of the tank mass,
moreover the space of allowable solutions is defined. Optimal ratios of basic dimensions for an assumed family of tanks of given capacities
are determined. The solutions are restrained by the strength and stability conditions. Results of numerical analysis were approximated with
mathematical formulae convenient in the practice of tank design.
q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Horizontal pressure tank; Cylindrical shell; Elastic buckling; Optimal design

1. Introduction vessel heads. Wilczyński [14] numerically determined (with

A basic design principle consists in optimal shaping of a
structure with regard to an assumed criterion, taking into
consideration the restrictions imposed. While designing
pressure vessels and their parts, this principle should also be
observed. Harvey [1] and Spence and Tooth [2] discussed
fundamentals of design, first of all the strength and stability
problems of pressure vessels. Magnucki [3,4] laid emphasis
on optimization problems of pressure vessels under strength
and stability constraints. Zeman [5] discussed design by
analysis in CEN’s unfired pressure vessel standard.
Życzkowski [6,7] presented a comprehensive review of
the problems related to optimal design of structures. Błachut
and Eschenauer [8] specified emerging methods for multi-
disciplinary optimization with special attention paid to
design procedures. Krużelecki and Trzeciak [9], Bochenek
and Krużelecki [10], Błachut [11] optimized axially
symmetric shells. Błachut [12,13] considerably contributed
to the development of optimization problems of pressure
* Corresponding author. Institute of Applied Mechanics, Poznań
University of Technology, ul. Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland.
E-mail address: krzysztof.magnucki@put.poznan.pl (K. Magnucki).
0308-0161/$ - see front matter q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpvp.2004.06.003
FEM) the optimal shape of a head of a pressure
vessel. Magnucki and Monczak [15], Magnucki and
Lewiński [16,17], Magnucki, Szyc and Lewiński [18]
determined effective thickness and optimal shapes of
ellipsoidal heads of pressure vessels. Apart from choosing
an appropriate head shape, an important problem in the
design of ground-based horizontal cylindrical tanks is
shaping and location of the supports. Magnucki, Stasiewicz
and Szyc [19] numerically studied the effect of shaping and
location of supports on the strength of a ground-based
horizontal cylindrical tank. The strength of such a tank is not
the sole problem, another one arises from its stability. Saal
[20] experimentally investigated buckling of a thin-walled
cylindrical shell filled with a liquid, while Kacperski [21]
carried out experimental examination of buckling of a thin-
walled ground-based horizontal cylindrical tank filled with
a liquid. Theoretical research related to buckling of a
bending cylindrical shell is much more comprehensive.
These problem were discussed by Chan, Tooth and Spence
[22,23], Elchalakani, Zhao and Grzebieta [24], Guarracino
and Fraldi [25], Guggenberger [26], Hoo Fatt [27], Huang,
Redekop and Xu [28], Yeh, Lin and Wu [29]. Magnucki and
Stasiewicz [30] determined critical sizes of ground-based
914 K. Magnucki et al. / International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 81 (2004) 913–917

and underground horizontal cylindrical tanks. The problems p0ðextÞ external additional small pressure,
of optimal shaping of ellipsoidal heads and horizontal due to a suction pump;
cylindrical tanks were presented by Magnucki and Szyc gm specific weight of the medium;
[31], Magnucki [32,33], Magnucki, Stasiewicz and Szyc a radius of cylindrical shell;
[34] and Stasiewicz [35]. f circumferential coordinate;
The present paper is devoted to searching for the for fZ0 the upper element of the cylind-
effective proportions of the vessel dimensions. Hence, the rical shell;
problem is related to parametric optimization of thin-walled for fZp/2 the lower element.
structures.
The capacity of the tank is

2. Statement of the optimization problem V0 Z 2V1 C V2 ; (1)

where
Ground-based horizontal cylindrical tanks resting upon
two supports are used mainly for storage of various V1Z2/3(pa3)bZ1/3(pa3) capacity of typical ellipsoidal
liquids. The capacity of such tanks considerably exceeds head (bZ0.5),
those of horizontal tanks designed for land transportation. V2Zpa3l capacity of cylindrical shell,
Under the conditions of normal exploitation such tanks lZL/a relative length of the cylindrical
are loaded mainly with internal pressure, being the sum shell;
of hydrostatic pressure and the uniform pressure caused dZ2a diameter of the tank.
by vapour of the medium contained therein. While
designing such tanks a question of optimal ratio of the From which
tank length to diameter should be answered, with respect V0 2
to its minimal mass. Every tank might be formed as a lZ 3
K : (2)
pa 3
slender or thickset structure, for fixed capacity of the
tank (Fig. 1). The strength and stability conditions should The mass of the tank is
be taken into account in the solution. ms Z 2m1 C m2 ; (3)
The analysis is performed for a ground-based
horizontal cylindrical tank with two typical ellipsoidal where
heads, supported at both ends. The tank is designed for m1Zprsa2t1cm mass of the ellipsoi-
two load-cases
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi dal head;
† total internal pressure pð1Þ Z pðintÞ ðintÞ cm Z 1C b2 ða tan b2 K 1= b2 K 1Þ for a typical ellipsoi-
h C p0 , the strength
problem; dal head (bZ0.5)
† total special pressure pð2Þ Z pðintÞ ðextÞ cmy1.38017;
h K p0 , the stability
problem; m2Z2prsa2t2l mass of the cylindri-
cal shell;
where rs mass density;
t1 thickness of ellipsoi-
pðintÞ
h Z gm að1K cos 4Þ internal hydrostatic pressure; dal head;
pðintÞ
0 internal uniform pressure, the gas t2 thickness of cylind-
pressure of liquid; rical shell.

The effective thickness of a typical ellipsoidal

head (bZ0.5) with respect to minimal stress concen-
tration in the tank [15] may be written in the following
form
t1ef Z ct t2 ; (4)
where
ctZ1.427(1C0.109aK0.024a2) coefficient of effective
thickness of the typical
head,
aZa/(100t2) dimensionless
parameter of the cylind-
Fig. 1. A slender and a thickset ground-based horizontal cylindrical tank. rical shell.
 K. Magnucki et al. / International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 81 (2004) 913–917 915

The optimization criterion was assumed in the form of

minimal mass of the tank

minfms g; (5)
a

where the mass of Eq. (3), the objective function is

ms Z 2pa2 t2 ðcm ct C lÞ: (6)

The tank design belongs to the space of allowable

solutions only provided that it meets its basic restrictions.
Only two restrictions in the form of inequalities are assumed
here, i.e. the strength and stability conditions. The strength
problem of horizontal cylindrical tanks is discussed in
monographs [1–3]. The strength condition expressed in Fig. 2. The space of allowable solutions.
terms of the thickness of the cylindrical shell of the tank has
a form The minimum value of the objective function of Eq. (6)
ð1Þ
t2min % t2 ; (7) is located at the edge of the set of allowable solutions, at
the point M1. Location of the point is determined, at the
where same time, by the active strength (Eq. (7)) and stability
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
   2 (Eq. (8)) conditions. The solution is found for two load-
ð1Þ g m a2 aSC p0 2 1 2 cases. On the other hand, for a single load-case, when only
t2min Z 48 1 C CCc l K1
4ðsall Kp0 Þ 2 gm a 2 total internal pressure, pð1Þ ZphðintÞ CpðintÞ
0 is present, the sole
strength condition (7) is sufficient. The minimum value of
the objective function (6) is then located at the point M2
ð1Þ
(Fig. 2), but corresponding to an extreme value, i.e. the
t2min minimal thickness of the cylindrical shell minimum of the objective function. The problem was
filled with medium-liquid and supported presented by Magnucki [3,4,33], and Stasiewicz [35]. These
at both ends [3,4,33]; works do not take into account the stability condition in the
Cc Z6=ð1Cj2 Þ correction coefficient, the effect of saddle form of Eq. (8) that was considered here based on Ref. [30].
support on stress state;
jZP0 =ð100gm aÞ dimensionless parameter of uniform
internal pressure, 3. Numerical analysis
gm specific weight of the medium;
sall allowable stresses, Numerical analysis was carried out for the family of steel
aSC stress concentration factor in the joint of tanks filled with water with capacities in the range
ellipsoidal and cylindrical shells. 50 m3%V0%300 m3; allowable stresses sallZ330 MPa;
specific weight of water gmZ9.81 kN/m3; uniform internal
The stability problem of a horizontal cylindrical tank pressure, pðintÞ
0 Zp0 Z2:5 MPa and additional uniform
filled with liquid is discussed in the monograph [3] and external pressure pðextÞ Z0:1 MPa. The value of stress
0
[21,22,30]. The stability condition expressed in terms of concentration factor, in the joint of ellipsoidal and
the thickness of the cylindrical shell of a horizontal tank has cylindrical shells, based on [15,18], was assumed as
a form aSCZ1.111. Results of the analysis are shown in Fig. 3.
ð2Þ
t2min %t2 ; (8) Optimal proportions of the main sizes (length to
diameter) (L/d) opt of horizontal cylindrical tanks
where h50 m3%V0%300 m3i for increasing capacities show
ð2Þ
t2min Z2:93ða=1000Þl0:401 minimal thickness of cylindrical † slightly increase 5.10%(L/d)opt%5.35 for two load-
shell for additional uniform exter- cases, point M1;
nal pressure (due to a suction † remarkably decrease 12.35%(L/d)opt%6.92 for one load-
pump [30]) pðextÞ
0 Z0:1 MPa. case, point M2.

Substituting the minimal thickness of the cylindrical For the tank of capacity V0Z600 m3 the points M1 and
shell of Eq. (7) or (8) into the objective function of Eq. (6) M2 take a common location, so that both cases are
enables determination of the space (set) of allowable equivalent and the optimal ratio of the main sizes is
solutions for the horizontal cylindrical tank (Fig. 2). (L/d)optZ5.71. For tanks of greater capacity (600 m3!V0),
916 K. Magnucki et al. / International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 81 (2004) 913–917

4. Discussion and conclusions

The optimization of a family of ground-based horizontal

cylindrical steel tanks of capacities 50 m3%V0%300 m3
and allowable stress sallZ330 MPa enables formulation of
the following conclusions.

† For two load-cases. Total internal pressure p(1) and

total special pressure p(2), values of optimal proportions
of the main sizes (length to diameter L/d) for these
structures (strength and stability conditions, the point
M1, Fig. 3) may be approximated by the following
formula
 
Fig. 3. Optimal proportions of length L to diameter d of horizontal L 1
cylindrical tanks. Z ly5:05 Cx0 ; (9)
d opt 2
where x0 is the ratio defined as x0ZV0/V1, with V1Z
the set (space) of allowable solutions is limited only by the 1000 m3,while the values of the characteristic ratio
strength condition, with the stability condition remaining (radius to thickness, a/t2) of thin-walled cylindrical
inactive. The optimal solution is defined by the extremum– shell may be approximated as follows
 
minimum (point M2) of the objective function. a
The optimal shape of a horizontal cylindrical tank of y12ð11:3Kx0 Þ: (10)
t2 opt
capacity V0Z200 m3 is shown in Fig. 4.
The optimal ratios of the main sizes of this tank are to: † For one load-case. Only total special pressure p(2), values
of optimal proportions of the main sizes (length to
† (L/d)optZ5.25 for two load-cases (strength and stability diameter L/d) for these structures (only strength condition,
conditions), the point M1; the point M2, Fig. 3)) may be approximated by the formula
† (L/d)optZ7.85 for one load-case (only the strength  
condition), the point M2. L 1 19:65
Z ly ;
d opt 2 1C13:80x0 K42:98x20 C58:05x30
Optimal solutions (Fig. 3) of horizontal cylindrical tanks
(11)
h50 m3%V0%300 m3i are distinguished by a nearly constant
(only insignificantly varying) value of the characteristic while the values of characteristic ratio (radius to
ratio a/t2 of thin-walled cylindrical shell, the values of thickness, a/t2) of thin-walled cylindrical shell may be
which are in the ranges: approximated by the formula
 
† 135%a/t2%132 for two load-cases, the point M1; a
y8ð16:55Kx0 Þ: (12)
† 132%a/t2%130 for one load-case, the point M2 (Fig. 2). t2 opt

Values of this ratio may be useful for optimal design of

ground-based horizontal cylindrical tanks.

Fig. 4. Optimal horizontal cylindrical tank for two constraint cases. Fig. 5. Mass of the tank as a function of the radius a (V0Z200 m3).
 K. Magnucki et al. / International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 81 (2004) 913–917
The above-proposed formulae (9)–(12) for optimal
proportions of the main sizes of ground-based horizontal
cylindrical tanks may be useful in design.
Finally, for pressure vessels subject to two load-cases
(internal and special pressures) the effective L/d ratio is
almost constant and approximately equal to 5. On the other
hand, for one load case (only internal pressure) the L/d ratio
depends significantly on the vessel capacity. For example, a
tank of capacity V0Z200 m3 the ms mass as a function of the
radius a is shown in Fig. 5.
References
[1] Harvey JF. Theory and design of pressure vessels. New York:
Chapman and Hall; 1991.
[2] Spence J, Tooth AS, editors. Pressure vessel design, concepts and
principles. London: E & FN Spon; 1994.
[3] Magnucki K. Strength and optimization of thin-walled vessels.
Warszawa-Poznań: Scientific Publishers PWN; 1998 [in Polish].
[4] Magnucki K. Strength, stability and optimization of horizontal
cylindrical tanks. Seventh Conf Shell Struct Theory Appl, Gdańsk/
Poland 2002;27–34.
[5] Zeman JL. Design by analysis in CEN’s unfired pressure vessel
standard. Ninth Int Conf Pressure Vessel Technol, Sydney
2000;419–27.
[6] Życzkowski M, editor. Structural optimization under stability and
vibration constraints. CISM No. 308. New York: Springer; 1990.
[7] Życzkowski M. Recent advances in optimal structural design of
shells. Eur J Mech A/Solids 1992;5–24 [special issue].
[8] Błachut J, Eschenauer HA, editors. Emerging methods for multi-
disciplinary optimization. New York: Springer; 2001.
[9] Krużelecki J, Trzeciak P. Optimal design of axially symmetrical shells
under hydrostatic pressure with respect to their stability. Struct
Multidisciplinary Optim 2000;19:148–54.
[10] Bochenek B, Krużelecki J. A new concept of optimization for
postbuckling behaviour. Eng Optim 2001;33:503–22.
[11] Błachut J. Optimal design of steel barrelled shells. ZAMM 2001;
81:657–8.
[12] Błachut J. Elastic-plastic stability and optimization of pressure vessel
end closures.: Kraków University of Technology; 1996 [in Polish].
[13] Błachut J. Minimum weight of internally pressurised domes subject to
plastic load failure. Thin-Walled Struct 1997;27:127–46.
[14] Wilczyński B. Shape optimization to minimize stress concentration in
shell structures. In: Roeck GDe, Topping BHV, editors. Identification,
control and optimisation of engineering structures. Edinburgh: Civil-
Comp Ltd; 2000, p. 119–32.
[15] Magnucki K, Monczak T. Determination of minimal wall thickness of
circular cylindrical tank with ellipsoidal heads. Pol Acad Sci Arch
Mech Eng, XLV 1998;2:73–85.
[16] Magnucki K, Lewiński J. Fully stressed head of a pressure vessel.
Thin-Walled Struct 2000;38:167–78.
917
[17] Magnucki K, Lewiński J. Optimal design of an ellipsoidal head of a
pressure cylindrical vessel. PAMM 2003;3:517–8.
[18] Magnucki K, Szyc W, Lewiński J. Minimization of stress concen-
tration factor in cylindrical pressure vessels with ellipsoidal heads. Int
J Pressure Vessels Piping 2002;79:841–6.
[19] Magnucki K, Stasiewicz P, Szyc W. Flexible saddle support of a
horizontal cylindrical pressure vessel. Int J Pressure Vessels Piping
2003;80:205–10.
[20] Saal H. Buckling of long liquid-filled cylindrical shells. In: Ramm E,
editor. Buckling of shells. Berlin: Springer; 1982, p. 333–52.
[21] Kacperski T. Experimental study of the phenomenon of stability loss
of a horizontal thin-walled cylindrical shell loaded by a liquid. Pol
Acad Sci Eng Trans 1994;42:331–7.
[22] Chan GCM, Tooth AS, Spence J. A study of the buckling behaviour
of horizontal saddle supported vessels. Thin-Walled Struct 1998;
30:3–22.
[23] Tooth AS, Spence J, Chan GCM. The buckling behaviour of
horizontal storage vessels—experiments and codes. In: Shanmugam
NE, Richard Liew JY, Thevedran V, editors, Second Int. Conference,
Thin-walled structures, research and development. Amsterdam:
Elsevier; 1998, p. 597–604
[24] Elchalakani M, Zhao XL, Grzebieta RH. Plastic mechanism
analysis of circular tubes under pure bending. Int J Mech Sci
2002;44:1117–43.
[25] Guarracino F, Fraldi M. On the analysis of cylindrical tubes under
flexure. In: Zaras J, Kowal-Michalska K, Rhodes J, editors, Third Int.
Conference, Thin-walled structures, research and development.
Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2001 p. 653–60
[26] Guggenberger W. Buckling and post-buckling of imperfect
cylindrical shells under external pressure. Thin-Walled Struct 1995;
23:351–66.
[27] Hoo Fatt MS. Elastic-plastic collapse of non-uniform cylindrical
shells subjected to uniform external pressure. Thin-Walled Struct
2001;39:731–44.
[28] Huang D, Redekop D, Xu B. Instability of a cylindrical shell under
three-point bending. Thin-Walled Struct 1996;26:105–22.
[29] Yeh M-K, Lin M-C, Wu W-T. Effects of imperfection on bending
buckling of an elastoplastic cylindrical shell. Ninth Int Conf Pressure
Vessel Technol, Sydney 2000;241–8.
[30] Magnucki K, Stasiewicz P. Critical sizes of ground and underground
horizontal cylindrical tanks. Thin-Walled Struct 2003;41:317–27.
[31] Magnucki K, Szyc W. Optimal design of a cylindrical shell loaded by
internal pressure. Struct Optim 1996;11:263–6.
[32] Magnucki K. Optimal design of a horizontal circular tank with
ellipsoidal heads. Struct Optim 1998;16:226–9.
[33] Magnucki K. Optimal design of cylindrical vessels under strength and
stability constraints. Ninth Int Conf Pressure Vessel Technol, Sydney
2000;867–74.
[34] Magnucki K, Stasiewicz P, Szyc W. Optimal design of underground
cylindrical tanks. Tenth Int Conf Pressure Vessel Technol, Vienna
2003;127–30.
[35] Stasiewicz P. Optimization of cylindrical pressure tanks. Seventh
Conf Shell Struct, Theory Appl, Gdańsk/Poland 2002;219–20.