Title: Crack Control and Leakage Criteria for Concrete Liquid Containing Structures

Author(s):

Publication: CRC

Volume:

Issue:

Appears on pages(s):

Keywords: Crack, leakage, control, liquid containing

DOI:

Date: 3/1/2011

Abstract:
The research was aimed at studying the behavior of concrete liquid containing structures (CLCS) with the goal of providing necessary input for code decision making. The major issues in the study were: (i) the development of cracks in the vulnerable regions of CLCS due to hydrostatic loading and seismic shaking; and, (ii) the crack-leakage potential in CLCS. These issues were studied analytically, using non-linear finite element analysis and experimentally, measuring the leakage as a function of the crack conditions. In this investigation, several full-scale specimens representing segments from typical tank walls were subjected to load and leakage tests. The main objective of this study was to develop a rational design procedure for concrete tanks that assumes a safe leak resistant structure. It was also proposed to formulate explicit expressions for the response modification factor, R. This was done for both rectangular and circular above ground tanks considering the effect of the end fixity. The research results are expected to provide useful information and insights on the behavior of CLCS and will be used towards the improvement of the current design practice for these types of structures.