Flood fragility of pipelines connected to above ground storage tanks

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the flood fragility of pipelines connected to above-ground storage tanks and their contribution to resisting flotation and sliding of tanks. A large number of studies have assessed the risk of pipe failure for various threats such as corrosion, over pressure, and natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, and sub-sea currents. But literature lacks studies that assess the flood performance of pipes connected to tanks, and the resistance offered by pipelines against tank flotation or sliding remains unknown. To address these issues, the response of pipelines subjected to flood loads was analyzed for two scenarios: (1) one end of the pipe was fixed while the other end was displaced to simulate tank flotation or sliding, and (2) the pipes were subjected to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, with fixed boundary conditions at both ends to simulate a scenario without tank movement. Maximum von Mises stress was determined from the analysis and compared against failure thresholds for material yielding and rupture. Stepwise logistic regression was employed to develop fragility models for the four pipe layouts. The results indicated that layouts with expansion loops could withstand higher displacement without failure, under both flotation and sliding conditions. Additionally, the results revealed that for smaller tanks exposed to low to moderate flood depths, pipe resistance against sliding is significant and cannot be neglected.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Engineering Failure Analysis

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