Update of Seismic Requirements

for LNG Storage Tanks

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.
Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

May 2007

Update of Seismic Requirements for LNG Storage Tanks

Stephen W. Meier
Tank Industry Consultants

Design Standards and Regulations

49 CFR 193
NFPA 59A Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling
of Liquefied Natural Gas

API 620 Appendix L

Under development:

ACI 376 - Concrete Structures for Refrigerated Liquefied

Gas Containment

API 620 Appendix L (revised)

Revised API 650 Appendix E basis of new Appendix L
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

49 CFR 193
Currently Requires NFPA 59A-01
Not yet adopted NFPA 59A-06

The definition of ground motion requirements

differ from NFPA 59A-01 and NFPA 59A 06, a complication!

May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Dual Level Earthquake Design

OBE = Operating Basis Earthquake
ground motions typically at or below code levels
tank performance goal is to remain operational with little or no
consequential damage
may occur more than once in the design life

SSE = Safe Shut-down Earthquake

ground motions at or above code levels
tank performance goal is to prevent catastrophic failure or
release of product
may experience significant damage to levels beyond
economically justifiable repair
a one time event
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Evolution of OBE/ SSE 96 to 06

Ground Motion Requirements
OBE

SSE

Damping

NFPA 59A-96

475 yr, or 0.5 of SSE

10,000 yr

not specified,
usually 2%

NFPA 59A-01

2/3 of 2,500 yr MCE,

but not greater than 475 yr

5,000 yr,
but not greater than 2 x OBE

5%

NFPA 59A-06

475 yr

2,500 yr MCE

5%

notes:
475 yr = 10% PE in 50 yrs
5,000 yr = 1% PE in 50 yrs ( 4,975 yrs)
2001 and 2006 editions are based on ASCE 7 seismic methods

May 2007

2,500 yr = 2% PE in 50 yrs (2,475 yrs)

10,000 yr = 0.5% PE in 50 yrs ( 9,975 yrs)

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Evolution of OBE/SSE 96 to 06
Design Requirements

NFPA 59A limited guidance on stress levels,

damping, load distribution, etc - See Appendix L
Current Appendix L old UBC format
Existing Appendix L is for code level or
contingency level design, not OBE/SSE
Rw is approximately 4, no adjustment for low
temperature or cryogenic tanks
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Proposed Appendix L Requirements

OBE

No I or R factors, i.e. no amplification or

reduction factors - use full ground motion
0.5% damping for sloshing = 1.5 x 5% ordinates
Soil structure interaction not permitted
Limit J, anchorage factor, to 1.0
Permit 33% increase in stresses
FS for foundation stability = 3.0
FS against sliding = 1.5 based on m=0.7
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Proposed Appendix L Requirements

OBE contd

Check of tank shell bearing on foundation and

product on under-bottom insulation required
Distribution of annular and roof/deck insulation
between inner and outer tank
Check of internal (pump wells, etc)
Provide 100% of calculated sloshing height
above MOL (maximum operating level); TL not
used
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Proposed Minimum LNG Tank Freeboard Requirements

Minimum Freeboard
Height

LNG Tank Type

Full Containment:
Suspended deck
o With venting sized for potential vapor generated
o Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated...
Inner tank dome roof
o Inner tank roof and shell designed for sloshing impingement ..
o Inner tank roof and shell NOT designed for sloshing impingement
With venting sized for potential vapor generated.
Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated
Double or Secondary Containment:
o With venting sized for potential vapor generated..
o Without venting provisions for potential vapor generated.

No requirement
0.7 SSE
No requirement
0.7 SSE
SSE
0.7 SSE
SSE

Single Containment:

SSE

All styles OBE:

dOBE

Changes to the liquid impulsive and convective loads due the restraint of the roof
on the sloshing wave shall be considered in the design of the inner container.
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

Proposed Appendix L Requirements

SSE

Use TL ( until codes are changed)

0.5% damping for sloshing = 1.5 x 5% ordinates
Soil structure interaction is permitted > 80%fixed
Permit 33% increase in stresses
FS for foundation stability = 2.0
FS against sliding = 1.0 based on m=0.7
Rc (convective) = 2.0
I = 1.0 (R factors selected based on I=1.0 and allowable stress
design basis)

May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

10

Proposed Appendix L Requirements

SSE

Check of tank shell bearing on foundation and

product on under-bottom insulation required
Distribution of annular and roof/deck insulation
between inner and outer tank
Check of internal (pump wells, etc)
Anchorage ductility

May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

11

Proposed Appendix L Requirements

SSE Ri factors
Inner Tank

Mechanically-anchored

Self-anchored

9% nickel steel

1.75

1.5

stainless steel

1.75

1.5

aluminum

1.5

1.25

Outer Tank
carbon steel

May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

12

Summary
Proposed API 620 Appendix L expanded to
address latest seismic requirements
Appendix L scheduled for end of 2007
Watch for changes to 49 CFR 193 to adopt
NFPA 59A-06
Watch for Seismic Design Guidelines for Data
Submittal Requirements for LNG Facilities.
under development by FERC
Watch for ACI 376 under development
May 2007

Vivencio D. Menchavez Jr.

Tank Welding & Piping Consultants
ASCE Structures 2007
May 18, 2007

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