Aspects of the analysis and design of prestressed concrete storage tanks are discussed, and a simple analogy for the analysis of circular prestressed tanks is described. The method, which is suitable for use with small microcomputers, or even the larger programmable calculators, is capable of modelling both cylindrical tanks, and tanks with double curvature under a wide range of loading, including dead load, fluid or gas pressure, thermal load, and prestressing. The significance of actions often ignored in tank design, including shrinkage and swelling of the walls, creep redistribution of prestress, and thermal effects are examined in some detail. Comparisons are given between results predicted by the frame analogy and more sophisticated analytical methods for a ground supported cylindrical reservoir, and an elevated doubly curved tank.
