Seismic behaviour of tanks: Progress and scope for research

This paper presents an extensive literature survey on the performance of the water tanks subjected to earthquakes. The research progress on various aspects of seismic behaviour of tanks is also discussed in detail. Study shows that the ground supported steel tanks exhibited great vulnerability during past earthquakes and considerable research effort was directed on the seismic performance ofthe same leading to improved design guidelines. On the other hand, though the elevated tanks also exhibited vulnerability at their reinforced concrete frame-type stagings during past earthquakes, commensurate research effort has not been directed for developing improved design provisions for the same. These types of tanks form an important component of water supply system in many countries. However, the possibility exists of improving provisions by considering the outcome of a few important studies on seismic behaviour ofsuch tanks after providing a brief discussion on these studies. It also attempts to provide an outline on the possibility of further research with an objective to arrive at conclusive guidelines about the effect of soil-structure interaction on seismic performance of reinforced concrete stagings of such tanks.