1978. Recommendations for the design of prestressed concrete oil storage tanks (PDF)

In 1966, FIP issued a report titled Prestressed Concrete Fuel Oil and Petrol Tanks, prepared by an ad hoc committee. That report presented a survey of tanks that had been built and provided recommendations for the future development and construction of prestressed concrete fuel oil and petrol tanks.

At the Seventh FIP Congress in New York in May 1974, the present Commission on Concrete Pressure and Storage Vessels was established, with one of its primary objectives being to develop recommendations on oil storage in prestressed concrete tanks.

Mr. Felix Kulka of T. Y. Lin International assumed the chairmanship of the Oil Storage Task Group and developed the report with the assistance of the group’s members. Mr. Philip Chow, also of T. Y. Lin International, undertook the arduous task of organizing material that came from many sources.

These recommendations include sections on the classification of tanks, design, structural elements and details, insulation and liners, safety requirements, and special equipment. One appendix details design considerations for earthquakes, fire, shock loads, and differential settlements.

This publication provides the petroleum industry, regulatory agencies, and design and construction engineers with guidelines for the design and construction of prestressed concrete structures for the storage of petroleum products. In the petroleum industry, engineering responsibility for storage tanks is usually assigned to the mechanical engineering department. The experience and day-to-day involvement of such departments are normally concerned with steel vessels.

With these recommendations, petroleum company purchasing and engineering management are encouraged to have their evaluation personnel consider the advantages offered by prestressed concrete tanks when selecting storage vessels.

In many cases, prestressed concrete provides a better solution for oil storage, meeting the increased environmental and safety demands required by both industry and public authorities.

The Oil Storage Task Group will continue to serve until the next Congress in London in order to receive, evaluate, and incorporate the experience and feedback that will undoubtedly result from the use of this first edition of the recommendations.