Earthquakes and Structures

Volume 16, Number 1, 2019, pages 1-9

DOI: 10.12989/eas.2019.16.1.001

Design theory and method of LNG isolation

Jiangang Sun, Lifu Cui, Xiang Li, Zhen Wang, Weibing Liu and Yuan Lv

Abstract

To provide a simplified method for the base isolation design of LNG tanks, such as 16x104 m3 LNG tanks, we conducted a derivation and calculation example analysis of the dynamic response of the base isolation of LNG storage tanks, using dynamic response analysis theory with consideration of pile-soil interaction. The ADINA finite element software package was used to conduct the numerical simulation analysis, and compare it with the theoretical solution. The ground-shaking table experiment of LNG tank base isolation was carried out simultaneously. The results show that the pile-soil interaction is not obvious under the condition of base isolation. Comparing base isolation to no isolation, the seismic response clearly decreases, but there is less of an effect on the shaking wave height after adopting pile top isolation support. This indicates that the basic isolation measures cannot control the wave height. A comparison of the shaking table experiment with the finite element solution and the theoretical solution shows that the finite element solution and theoretical solution are feasible. The three experiments are mutually verified.

Key Words

LNG storage tank; base isolation; pile-soil; vibration table experiment

Address

Jiangang Sun, Lifu Cui, Xiang Li, Zhen Wang, Weibing Liu: College of Civil Engineering, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, China Yuan Lv: Institute of Road and Bridge Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China