A coupled BE–FE study for evaluation of seismically isolated cylindrical liquid storage tanks considering fluid–structure interaction

The effects of base-isolation on the seismic response of cylindrical vertical flexible liquid storage tanks subjected to horizontal seismic ground motion are presented in this paper. The whole system consists of two main parts: the base-isolation component, and the fluid–structure interaction subsystem. Dynamic analysis of liquid storage tank is achieved through the use of finite shell elements for the structure and internal boundary elements for the liquid region. The boundary element equations are employed to obtain an equivalent liquid mass matrix which is then coupled with the shell structure mass matrix, resulting in the coupled equations of motion. Finally, the coupled equations of motion are connected with the base-isolation system to observe the whole system behavior. A bilinear hysteretic element is used to illustrate the base-isolation system. The analysis is performed in the time domain in which, hydrodynamic interaction is taken into account. It is shown that the seismic response of the isolated tank could be significantly reduced compared with the fixed-foundation tanks. Parametric studies are carried out to study the effects of different system parameters on the effectiveness of the base-isolation system. These parameters are the tank geometry aspect ratio (height to radius), the flexibility of the isolation system, the liquid surface displacement variations, and the tank wall flexibility. It is observed that the seismic isolation is more effective in slender tanks in comparison with broad tanks. Furthermore, it is shown that the isolation efficiency is partially more significant in rigid tanks. It is also noticeable that flexible isolators considerably reduce the seismic response in comparison with stiff isolators. Despite the foregoing advantages, liquid surface displacement increases due to seismic isolation, especially in slender tanks.