DYNAMICS OF SOLID-CONTAINING TANKS - I - RIGID TANKS

Making use of a relatively simple, approximate but reliable method of analysis, a study is made of the responses to horizontal base shaking of vertical, rigid circular cylindrical tanks that are filled with a u niform viscoelastic material. After describing the method of analysis, comprehensive numerical data are presented which elucidate the respon se of the system and the effects and relative importance of the variou s parameters involved. In addition to the characteristics of the groun d motion, the parameters examined include the ratio of tank height-to- tank radius and the physical properties of the contained material. Bot h harmonic and earthquake-induced ground motions are considered. The r esponse quantities examined are the dynamic wall pressures, the critic al forces in the tank wall, and the forces exerted on the foundation. The effects of tank wall flexibility are studied in a companion paper.