Wind-Induced Buckling Analysis of Cylindrical Storage Tanks
Summary
Cylindrical storage tanks are critical assets in the oil, chemical and water industries. Their thin‐walled steel or composite shells are susceptible to stability loss when subjected to wind loads, especially under extreme gusts or vortex shedding. Wind‐induced buckling occurs when lateral pressure and flow‐induced oscillations combine with structural imperfections to exceed the limit load at which a shell loses its form. Analysis of this phenomenon draws on experimental wind‐tunnel studies, computational fluid dynamics and finite element simulations to capture complex fluid–structure interactions, material nonlinearity and geometric imperfections. Attention has focused on factors such as internal pressure, roof type, foundation settlement and the role of wind girders in enhancing structural resilience. Understanding the interplay between aerodynamic loading, shell stiffness and boundary conditions underpins the development of design guidelines and retrofitting strategies to ensure safety, reliability and economic performance on a global scale.
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Wind-Induced Buckling Analysis of Cylindrical Storage Tanks publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in wind-induced buckling analysis of cylindrical storage tanks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Buckling capacity: The maximum load a shell structure can withstand before undergoing sudden geometric instability.
Harmonic settlement‐induced imperfection: A periodic geometric deviation in shell coordinates caused by uneven foundation settlement, characterised by wave number patterns.
Wind attack angle: The orientation between the wind vector and a reference axis on the tank shell, affecting pressure distribution and buckling response.
Eigenvalue buckling analysis: A linearised stability computation that predicts critical loads and associated distortion shapes assuming elastic behaviour.
Finite element method: A numerical technique subdividing a structure into discrete elements to approximate stress, displacement and stability under complex loading conditions.
References
- Wind Buckling Analysis of a Large-Scale Open-Topped Steel Tank with Harmonic Settlement-Induced Imperfection. Buildings (2022).
- Design and Non-Linear Modeling of New Wind Girder Used for Bolted Tanks. Buildings (2023).
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