Agenda Item 650-741

Title: Vertical Seismic

Date:

February 28, 2012

Revision:

Handled By:

Jack Blanchard / Larry Hiner

Chicago Bridge and Iron Company
14105 S. Route 59
Plainfield, IL 60544-8984
Telephone: 815-439-6522
Fax: 815-439-6560
Email: LHiner@cbi.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Purpose:

Reduce vertical seismic design conflicts

Source:

J Blanchard comments to L Hiner

Impact:

API620 L / API 650 E designed tanks

Discussion:
*Changes made subsequent to Fall 2011 balloted version are shown in blue. Changes made in Fall
2011 Ballot are shown in red.
E.2.2 Notations
The definition for Av uses coefficient while the body of the Appendix, Paragraph E.6.1.3,
uses parameter. This proposal retains parameter.
E.6.1.3 Vertical Seismic Effects
The application of vertical seismic is inconsistent, and in places incorporates reduction factors
twice.
The first sentence of the second bullet sets the maximum vertical seismic acceleration
parameter, Av, as 0.14S DS. Although there is no explanation for the basis for this value in the
commentary, it is consistent with the ASCE7 value of 0.2 S DS. The basis appears to be (2/3) x
0.3 x (1/1.4) x SDS = 0.14 SDS. 2/3 is a standard reduction from the horizontal spectral
acceleration at short periods. 0.3 represents a load combination reduction for when
combining vertical and horizontal seismic forces (100% + 30%). 1/1,4 = 0.7 is the ASCE7
allowable stress adjustment factor. The ASCE 7 basis is then (2/3) x 0.3 x S DS = 0.2 SDS.
The first sentence of the first bullet requires combined vertical and lateral acceleration effects
to be combined by the SRSS method. Applying the basis for the 0.14S SD parameter discussed
above, this load combination would be a second reduction and thus not appropriate.
The last sentence under the first bullet states: Vertical acceleration effects need not be
combined concurrently for determining loads, forces, and resistance to overturning in the
shell. However, the requirements of E.6.2.1.1 include G e which is defined as the effective SG
including vertical seismic effects (Ge = G x (1-0.4Av)). Thus the equations have included for
the reduction of the liquid weight due to vertical seismic effects. The equations also include
for a 40% reduction which is already in the A v factor.
Equations E.6.2.1.1.1-1; E.6.2.1.2-1; E.6.2.2.1-1a; E.6.2.2.1-1b; E.6.2.2.1-2a; E.6.2.2.1-2b;
E.6.2.2.2-1a; E.6.2.2.2-1b; and E.6.2.3-1 also includes a 40% load combination factor with the
Av factor. Thus these equations also double dip.
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One solution would be to change the equations containing the duplicate load combination
reductions by deleting the 0.4 factor. This would effectively apply the 100% + 30%
combination method in place of the 100% + 40% currently used in some of the API650
equations. However, paragraph E.6.1.3, second bullet also allows the purchaser to specify the
vertical ground motion. That is almost always in the form of a vertical spectra. Thus the load
combination factors currently contained in the equations would be lost.
Another solution, applied below, is to back out the load combination reduction from the Av
basis. This works well with the purchaser specified value and allows all equations to apply load
combination factors clearly. The direct link to ASCE 7 might appear to be removed, but
paragraph 15.7.2 c of ASCE 7 only lists added forces to be combined with other forces. Thus,
the load combination factor in ASCE 7 is contained within the 0.2 factor. To clarify the basis for
the API650 E equation, the notation for Av in section 2.2 is also revised.
E.6.1.4 Dynamic Liquid Hoop Forces
With the change discussed above, increasing Av to 0.47 S DS, the vertical seismic component of
equation E.6.1.4-6 becomes the largest component for determining dynamic hoop stress. This
equation incorporates Rw for the impulsive and convective forces but not for vertical force.
Although applying an Rw value greater than 1.0 to vertical seismic applications is not
appropriate for any actions that could involve buckling, applying the fully amplified elastic
response of the shell hoop tension caused by the breathing response mode is also not correct.
Therefore, the vertical component of the hoop stress equation is conservatively divided by a
factor of 2.5.

_________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Changes:
E.2.2 Av Vertical earthquake acceleration parameter coefficient, %g = (2/3) x 0.7 x
SDS = 0.47 SDS
E.6.1.3 Vertical Seismic Effects
When specified (see Line 8 in the Data Sheet), vertical acceleration effects shall be
considered as acting in both upward and downward directions and combined with lateral
acceleration effects by the SRSS method unless a direct sum combination is required by
the applicable regulations. Vertical acceleration effects for hydrodynamic hoop stresses
shall be combined as shown in E.6.1.4. Vertical acceleration effects need not be combined
concurrently for determining loads, forces, and resistance to overturning in the tank shell
except as applied in the equa tions of this appendix.
The maximum vertical seismic acceleration parameter shall be taken as 0.47SDS 0.14SDS
or greater for the ASCE 7 method unless otherwise specified by the Purchaser.
Alternatively, the Purchaser may specify the vertical ground motion acceleration
parameter, Av.. That acceleration shall be multiplied by 0.7 to obtain the vertical
acceleration parameter, Av.
Equation E.6.1.4-6

Change last numerator term to (AvNh/2.5)2

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