AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

CONTENTS PAGE

1 SCOPE 2

2 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE SPECIFIED 2

3 DEFINITIONS 2

4 REQUIREMENTS 3
4.1 DESIGN STANDARDS, SPECIFICATIONS AND RELATED PUBLICATIONS 3
4.2 DESIGN RESPONSIBILITY 3
4.3 DESIGN CALCULATIONS 3
4.4 DESIGN DRAWINGS 3
4.5 REVIEW OF STEEL CONNECTION DESIGN DETAILS AND FABRICATION DRAWINGS 3
4.6 CORROSION PROTECTION 4
5 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS 4

6 STRUCTURAL DESIGN 4
6.1 GENERAL 4
6.2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 5
6.3 RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ACCIDENTAL LOADING 5
6.4 DESIGN DETAILS 5
6.5 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 6
6.6 LOADING 6
APPENDIX A: RELATED DOCUMENTS 9

APPENDIX B: RECORD OF AMENDMENTS 9

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 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

1 SCOPE
This specification details the design criteria for above ground liquid or slurry containment
structures such as tanks, thickeners and flotation cells. These could either be concrete or
steel structures and the term “above ground” refers to both elevated structures as well as
structures on surface at ground level. The scope of this specification only covers structural
aspects and does not cover aspects such as the environmental containment of spills, fire
hazard, proximity to other structures, labelling of tanks or issues around tank access.

The scope of this specification does not include pressure vessels. The specification shall
be read in conjunction with the relevant design specifications and be used under
consideration of the specific requirements, as set out in the relevant structural design and
construction standards and other legislation applicable in the country.

All design work shall be carried out by a registered Structural Engineer or under the
supervision of a registered person i.e. a Professional Engineer registered with the relevant
Engineering Council or Authority.

2 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE SPECIFIED

 Title, reference and issue number of this specification
 General Arrangement drawings of the structures
 Type, Volume and Density of liquid or slurry
 Geographical location of the containment structure

3 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this specification the following definitions shall apply:

Client : The company appointing the Engineer to carry out the

structural design. The Client can also be the Owner

Design Drawings : Fully dimensioned drawings prepared by the Engineer,

showing all members with their size, material grade, special
connections, combination of forces to be developed in
member connections, any cambers and eccentricities and
any other information required by the Contractor for the
design of the connections and completion of the Fabrication
Drawings

Fabrication Drawings : Drawing or its electronic equivalent that shows all necessary
information and detail required to fabricate the structural
steelwork

Rebar Schedule : Bending schedule, listing minimum requirements of

reinforcing steel.

ISO : International Standards Organization

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 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

Owner : Legal owner of structure, or company benefiting from the use

of the Structure

Registered Person : Person registered with the relevant Engineering Council or

Authority as a Professional Engineer or Professional
Engineering Technologist in terms of the appropriate
legislation.

Rules of Conduct for : Ethical and administrative rules applicable in the country
Registered Engineers where the Engineer is registered or working.

The following terms are defined in the General Conditions of Contract:

 Anglo American, Approved, Company, Contractor, Engineer

4 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 DESIGN STANDARDS, SPECIFICATIONS AND RELATED PUBLICATIONS

The design standards, specifications and related publications are listed in Appendix A of
this specification. All structural design shall comply with the relevant requirements of these
documents.

4.2 DESIGN RESPONSIBILITY

The design of the structures shall be performed by, or under the direction, control and
supervision of a registered person, who shall accept legal responsibility for the design.
Such registered person shall have appropriate knowledge of, and appropriate experience
in, the analysis and design of the structures in the particular application and shall comply
with all the relevant requirements of the Rules of Conduct for Registered Persons.

4.3 DESIGN CALCULATIONS

The preparation of the calculations shall be according to AA Specification 114001 (Design
of Steel Structures) or AA Specification 114010 (Design of Concrete Structures) as
appropriate.

4.4 DESIGN DRAWINGS

Design drawings and approval thereof shall comply with AA Specification 114001 (Design
of Steel Structures) or AA Specification 114010 (Design of Concrete Structures) as
appropriate.

4.5 REVIEW OF STEEL CONNECTION DESIGN DETAILS AND FABRICATION DRAWINGS

All connection design details and fabrication drawings prepared by the steelwork
contractor shall be reviewed by the responsible registered person referred to in Clause 4.2
to ensure that the design has been interpreted correctly and that the intent of the design is
met. For detailed requirements in this regard refer to AA Specification 114002.

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 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

4.6 CORROSION PROTECTION

Where mild carbon steel is used for steel containment structures, a suitable corrosion
allowance shall be added to the thickness of the structure. If this is uneconomical or if the
product contamination due to corrosion can not be tolerated, then the tank material shall
be upgraded to stainless steel or another equivalent material.

Many options exist for facilities to comply with the corrosion protection requirements.
These can be
 elevating containment structure with the underside only in contact with supports
 structure on a concrete pad designed to prevent the accumulation of water under
the floor
 catholically protected and internally lined according to API 652
 catholically protected and internally inspected according to API 653
 internally lined according to API 652 and internally inspected according to API 653
 double walled
 double floored with a vacuum pulled on the interstitial space or an installed cathodic
protection system

The principal factors that influence the corrosion process, such as pH of fluid, chemical
composition and the temperature vary depending on the conditions, use and location of
the containment structure therefore, a corrosion expert shall be consulted during the
structural design phase to develop and recommend a suitable protection system for each
containment structure.

5 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

The requirements of AA STD 100 shall apply

6 STRUCTURAL DESIGN

6.1 GENERAL
6.1.1 Scope of Rules

This specification intends to establish approved engineering practices for the structures
and where these rules do not cover all details of design the Engineer shall provide details
of design that will be as safe as those provided by this specification.

6.1.2 Pressure Chambers

For tanks consisting of two or more independent pressure chambers and having a roof,
bottom or other elements in common, each pressure part shall be designed for the most
severe combination of pressure or vacuum that can be experienced under the specified
operating conditions.

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therein, irrespective of the cause and quantum thereof.
 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

6.1.3 Test of New Design

Where a containment structure is of a new design (a) an unusual shape or (b) with large
branches or openings that may not permit a reliable computation of stresses around these
locations to be conducted with a satisfactory assurance of safety, the structure shall be
subjected to a proof test according to API 620 and under the direction of a competent
person.

6.1.4 Elevated Tanks

Design of elevated tanks shall include the consideration of lateral loads due to seismic
activity where necessary.

6.1.5 Ground Level Tanks

Consideration shall be given to the need for accomplishing corrosion protection of the
underside of steel tank floor plates.

6.2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

 The partial safety factors and load combinations shall be according to the applicable
and relevant code of practice in Appendix A of this specification.
 The effects wind loading shall be considered for both full and empty structures
 Live loads caused by agitation and operating mechanisms shall be considered and
where necessary a dynamic analysis shall be carried out for the design.
 Fatigue design shall be carried out where necessary.
 For containment structures with roofs, such roofs shall be loosely attached to the
tank to allow, in the event of an explosion, for this to be upwards and reduce
damage to neighbouring structures.

6.3 RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ACCIDENTAL LOADING

A risk assessment shall be carried out to determine what accidental loads shall be
considered. At least the following accidental loads shall be included:

a) Explosion where flammable liquids or gases are stored

b) Vehicle impact where any roadway is less than 5m away.

c) Pressure exerted by the bursting or collapse of an adjacent tank or containment

structure.

6.4 DESIGN DETAILS

 If platforms and stairways do not have separate supports, they shall preferably rest
on top of the supports instead of hanging by bolts or rods on the containment
structure.
 Suitably designed lifting lugs and spiders must be supplied with liquid containment
vessels where applicable.
 Water seals shall be designed for construction joints.

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therein, irrespective of the cause and quantum thereof.
 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

6.5 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

6.5.1 Concrete

The concrete grade shall be determined based on usage and environmental conditions as
follows:
 Grade 35: Severe conditions
 Grade 40: Very severe to extreme conditions

Minimum cover to reinforcement shall be 50mm. Concrete grade 50 (50MPa) and higher
shall only be used after prior approval from the client.

6.5.2 Reinforcement

High yield steel reinforcement with a minimum characteristic strength of 450MPa,

according to SANS 920:2005, shall be used as general reinforcement, while mild steel
reinforcement shall only be used for chairs, stools, links, stirrup and pull-out bars.

Cold worked high yield steel shall not be used.

6.5.3 Structural Steel

 Hot-rolled sections and plates shall be of a steel grade with a minimum of 350MPa
yield stress
 Hot-or cold-formed hollow sections shall be of a steel grade with a minimum of
300MPa yield stress
 Cold-formed open sections shall have a minimum of 300MPa yield stress
Notes:

1. When designing modifications to existing structures, due cognisance shall be taken of the actual steel
grade used in the original construction. If the steel grade of the original construction can not be
determined, assumptions recommended in the local code of practice shall be made or assume
200MPa as yield stress of original steel.

2. The steel grade and bolt property classes adopted in the design shall be specified on the relevant
design drawings and calculations.

6.6 LOADING
6.6.1 General

The main loads to be considered in the design of the structures are a function of self-
weight of the containment structure, and agitation mechanism and equipment attached to
the structure, walkways, platforms, stairways, cranes or lifting equipment supported by the
structure, drainage facilities as well as the pressure from the stored liquid or slurry, wind,
seismic loads and snow loads where applicable.

Permanent and imposed loads shall be determined in accordance with Eurocode 1:1991-4
or LSD and where required by testing.

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therein, irrespective of the cause and quantum thereof.
 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

6.6.2 Loads
 Permanent Load

The weight of the containment structure or its components, including any insulation,
lining or corrosion allowances, shall be included in the permanent load.
 Stored Liquid Load

All liquid levels from empty to maximum liquid level, i.e. to overflow, shall be
considered.
 Wind and Containment Structure

Wind loads shall be in accordance with the appropriate national loading code. The
effects of wind loads when structure is full and when it is empty shall be considered.
 Foundation Loads

A foundation loading schedule, clearly indicating the magnitude and direction of all
foundation loads, for each specific nominal load case, shall be prepared for all
structures.
 Foundation Settlement

Consider the effects of foundation settlement on structure.

 Connected Piping Loads

The weight of the connected piping shall be treated as a permanent load. The
weight of the contents of the connected piping shall be treated as an imposed load.
All connected pipes shall be assumed to be full.
 Seismic Loading

Seismic effects shall be taken into account in the design where applicable.
 Temperature Load Effects

The effects of temperature variations can be significant on the structure and shall be
considered both for the structure as well as for the connected piping.
 Loads from Equipment/Agitation and Operating Mechanisms Loads

Live loads caused by any agitation and operating mechanisms shall be considered.
Loads could be due to rotating unbalance of machines, loads applied to the
structure during machine operation or impact loads.
 Accidental Loads

Consideration shall be made for accidental limit states as defined in Clause 6.3 of
this specification.
 Provision for Lifting Equipment/Cranes

Any loads from lifting equipment or cranes that might be supported by the
containment structure shall be considered. Provision shall also be made for the
possibility of future installation and operation of lifting equipment in consultation with
the client.
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 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

 Snow Loads

These shall be considered where applicable especially on containment structures

with roofs.

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 AA SPECIFICATION 114018

DESIGN OF ABOVE GROUND LIQUID RETAINING ISSUE 0

AND CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES COPYRIGHT

APPENDIX A: RELATED DOCUMENTS

AA SPEC 114018: Design of Above Ground Liquid Retaining and Containment Structures

The latest issue of the following documents is deemed to form part of this specification:

AA SPEC 114001 : Design of Steel Structures

AA SPEC 114002 : Construction Structural Steelwork

AA SPEC 114010 : Design of Concrete Structures

AA STD 100 : Quality Requirements for Suppliers of Critical Equipment

API Recommended : Lining of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms

Practice 652

API STANDARD 620 : Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low Pressure
Storage Tanks

API STANDARD 650 : Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage

API STANDARD 653 : Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction

EUROCODE 1:1991-4 : Actions on Structures Part 4: Silos and Tanks

EUROCODE 2: 1992-3 : Design of Concrete Structures (Part 3: Liquid Retaining and

Containment Structures)

EUROCODE 3: 1993-1-6 : Design of Steel Structures (Part 1-6: Strength and Stability of
Shell Structures)

EUROCODE 3: 1993-4-2 : Design of Steel Structures (Part 4-2: Tanks)

LSD : The appropriate national standard for limit states design of

structural steel.

SANS 920:2005 : Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement

SLO : The appropriate national standard for structural loading

APPENDIX B: RECORD OF AMENDMENTS

Issue 0 : New document (A Masarira, February 2010)

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