RESPONSE SPECTRUM METHODS IN TANK-VEHICLE DESIGN

Existing design rules for tank vehicles have proved insufficient, beca use vibrations often cause fatigue cracks, Measurements have been perf ormed on the tank to provide a picture of the influence of different r oad types and filling ratios, Shock response spectrum analysis (SRS) w as used to obtain a measure of single-dynamic events. To get a basis f or dimensioning against fatigue a calculation of fatigue-damage respon se spectra (FDRS) has been performed. This relates the vibrations in t he tank to the risk of fatigue damage. In lieu of cycle counting by ra in-flow count techniques, which has certain disadvantages, a new model , the so called HdM model, for fatigue-life assessment based on level crossing has been used. Further development of the results of the anal ysis can be used to improve design criteria in transport tank regulati ons, as well as to determine optimum inspection intervals for, in part icular, tanks for hazardous materials.