Feasibility Study of Structural Health Monitoring for Pressurized Spherical Tank in Liquified Petroleum Gas Storage

Summary This feasibility has for objective to investigate the dynamic behaviour of a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) storage tank in response to external hazards, primarily earthquakes in an area characterized by a high seismic hazard. The objective is to find the frequencies at which the tank tends to vibrate naturally to ensure structural stability, predict potential weaknesses, and understand how the structure will behave during a strong earthquake. This work illustrates a workflow aimed at monitoring structural health of civil engineering structures for energy industry using passive ambient noise analysis, operational modal analysis and finite element structure modelling. The results from data analysis and modelling indicate a 1st mode at 1.4 Hz for a tank filled at 2%. This work focused on the integrity of the supporting frame of the pressurized spherical vessels. The aspect of soil-structure interactions can be integrated into the workflow, including additional passive and active geophysical measurements. Such complementary analysis would help to understand the energy transfer from soil to structure.