Just looking for some background on how underground tanks resist traffic loads. This is still in regards to the problem that I have with a very large piece of machinery above some underground tanks (it is a thread on the 2nd page of the storage tank engineering forum), but I am looking for just some more general information.
From my research, I primarily see that the soil cover combined with a concrete slab above the tanks is generally how underground tank is protected. Also, it seems like the tank is backfilled very carefully so the bottom half of the tank is firmly supported by the soil. But curious how that works exactly . . . the physics behind the loading in the tank. Are they taking into account some arching action of the soil combined with the shape of the tank that disipates the soil vertical loads to the full height soil on the side of any tank? Or does the vertical pressure on the tank get resisted by some sort of axial force in the wall of the tank? Or is the protection of these tanks primarily based on rules of thumb and previous experience.
Thanks for any help.
From my research, I primarily see that the soil cover combined with a concrete slab above the tanks is generally how underground tank is protected. Also, it seems like the tank is backfilled very carefully so the bottom half of the tank is firmly supported by the soil. But curious how that works exactly . . . the physics behind the loading in the tank. Are they taking into account some arching action of the soil combined with the shape of the tank that disipates the soil vertical loads to the full height soil on the side of any tank? Or does the vertical pressure on the tank get resisted by some sort of axial force in the wall of the tank? Or is the protection of these tanks primarily based on rules of thumb and previous experience.
Thanks for any help.