2/1/2018 Piping engineering | Tank nozzle loads

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API 650 Requirements for Bottom Nozzles of Storage Tanks: Nozzle

Movements, Local Stresses on Nozzles and Allowable Nozzle Loads
Shell course of a storage tank tends to expand due to temperature difference and head pressure. The tank base is not
possible to move freely because of the base restriction. So the displacement of that location can’t reach to its free
movement. This takes part in a discontinuity area which is extended about , from tank base.
Apparently all nozzles in that area are affected as follows:
Nozzle Rotation: The rotation of shell in the discontinuity area makes all nozzles rotate. Depending on the
attached piping flexibility, some loads are developed at the nozzle and shell junction.
Radial Displacement: As mentioned earlier, due to chocking effects in the discontinuity area, the nozzles tend to
move in radial direction due to thermal expansion and head pressure. At the bottom of tank where the chocking
exists, some parts of circumferential membrane stress capacity go to the corresponding local stresses. This
increased capacity can be calculated as a new allowable stress which is used when a local tensile membrane
stress exists. It does not give credit to a compression membrane stress because the tank may be empty or half.
Figure 1 shows two extreme scenarios which may exist: fully restrained and semi-restrained.

Figure 1: Tank bottom restriction types

In a fully restrained boundary condition a bending moment is created in such a way it leads to a smaller rotation
comparing to a semi-restrained system. The real one is somewhere between them. The big rotation is our main
concern because it leads to big nozzle loads.

1-Radial and rotational movements of nozzle calculation

Figure 2 demonstrates final nozzle location stemming from thermal and head pressure of tank. These movements are
input of CAESAR II.

Figure 2: Radial and rotational movement of nozzle in discontinuity area

It is assumed the tank has a different thickness at each shell courses. So the free pressure displacement along tank is

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