40 ft container modification

[99491]

Quite an unusual one.....

We have to convert a number of 40ft open top containers to store water which were initially designed for semi wet earth. The top of the container has an existing 75 x 75 x 8mm H.S welded all the way top of the container and 3nos. same sized sections welded vertically equally spaced along the length of the container.

Does anybody have any novel ideas on how to reinforce these containers as cheaply as possible without putting bracing bars from one side to the other as the inside of the container must be completely accessible. We could of course weld a heavy beam across the length of the container but that would be more expensive than my clients would want to pay for.

Appreciate any ideas....

 

[jte]

If I'm visualizing the problem correctly, the deflection along the top will be substantial. Thus, a geometrically nonlinear problem - the flat side wants to be curved. If the calc's are being done using simple beam equations, they will be quite conservative. Consider assuming that the top beam has zero stiffness (I = 0) and run a catenary cable/chain calculation on it. The right answer is somewhere between the beam bending and the cable result.

If deflection is not a problem (space issues, aesthetics...) I'd suspect that a nonlinear analysis would show that the existing containers are ok as is with no modifications. If a weak spot exists, it will be at the corner joints.

jt

 

[StoneCold]

You could weld an angle iron frame around the top edge of the container to make a flange to stiffen the top edge. You may require vertical ribs as well to make them stiffer so the sides don't bulge.

Regards
StoneCold