Structual Analysis on Steel Overflow Box?

[johnsonSDSMT]

I have a steel box roughly 20 X 20 X 20' containing a liquid that is roughly 240 lb/ft^3. The box will be welded at our shop but I am unsure of how to make sure the box itself can withstand the forces subjected to it by the fluid. My main concern is the lateral pressures on the sides might be to strong for the actual weld at the seams of the box.

Do I just find the pressure triangle and resulting force on the side walls of the box and then calculate the moment at the point of the weld? If so the what do I compare that value to see if the weld is going to be strong enough?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jec67]

Omer Blodgett covers this topic in "design of Welded Structures". This book is publised by the Lincoln Arc Welding Company. It sells real cheap (less than $20). I think it will be a big help to you in this case.