This paper studies the seismic behavior of rectangular and cylindrical tanks under near-fault and far-fault ground motions. To compare the seismic response of these tanks, the plan dimensions of them are chosen in such a way that the volume of liquid stored in the tanks remains virtually constant at the same liquid heights. Two near-fault and three far-fault ground motions with different frequency content are applied to the tanks. The sloshing, wall pressure, and hydrodynamic pressure responses of these tanks were discussed. The critical locations of the mentioned responses are also studied. ALE-based finite element method is employed using ABAQUS software to model the liquid-tank system. The accuracy of this modeling technique is evaluated using some experimental results available in the literature. The results indicate that the tank’s shape and earthquake characteristics significantly affect the seismic response of liquid storage tanks.

KEYWORDS

Rectangular tanks, Cylindrical tanks, Near-fault ground motions, far-fault ground motions, Sloshing, Wall pressure, Hydrodynamic pressure, ALE approach.