FEM Simulations and Experimental Testing of a Connector for Prefabricated Cylindrical Tank Elements

The article presents FEM analysis and experimental testing of a prototype connection of a horizontal, prefabricated cylindrical tank. The connector was designed under a contract between Rzeszow University of Technology and Sienkiewicz MAT-BUD Ltd. The proposed solution for connecting prefabricated components of the tank, does not require wet work on site. The connection is designed for above-ground cylindrical tanks with a diameter of up to 10 m and loaded with a 6-m column of liquid pressure (water or other material of similar or lesser volumetric weight) at 750 mm intervals, but can be successfully used for elements of other dimensions and other spacing. Based on the experimental tests and numerical simulations performed, it can be concluded that the designed horizontal connection of prefabricated elements of a cylindrical tank meets the ultimate limit state conditions for components. Experimental investigations have shown how much of an effect the detailed modelling of all bolt connection components, i.e. nuts, thread lengths, etc., has on the conformity of failure force values obtained from FEM simulations and actual component tests.