Table 5-21a

It has been pointed out to me that I have an error in my previous blog concerning this subject. In it I stated that the multiplying factor 0.785 was left out. However, this factor should be 785. I double checked our ITSdesign software to confirm that we are using 785 and not 0.785. We are using the 785 factor. I will bring this up at the next API meeting to make sure this is corrected in the code.

ITSdesign Webinars Coming to Your Computer

Have you wanted to see how our ITSdesign software program before you downloaded your trial version? Have you wanted to have someone walk you through the ITSdesign program to show you how the various screens work? Would you like a live demonstration of the ITSdesign program? We will be starting to do live webinar demonstrations of our ITSdesign software. Right now we are setting up dates and times for these demonstrations. Within the next couple of weeks you will be seeing postings here on our blog giving dates and times we will be doing these webinars. The number of participants for each webinar will be limited and will be given out on a first come first serve basis. Check back to see when they will be held and how to sign up for one.

Question on Table 5-21a

A question was asked concerning the formulas in Table 5-21a which is the Uplift Loads for SI units. The pressure formulas even in Addendum 1 to the 11th Edition have left out the multiplying factor 0.785 which is pi/4. Agenda item 650-646 revises the formula to include this multiplier. It also is revising the formulas in many other ways. ITSdesign uses the formulas approved in Agenda item 650-646. This was not approved soon enough to be part of Addendum 1 but should be part of the Addendum 2. I am not sure why this was not caught before Addendum 1 was published.

ITSdesign for 64 Bit Operating Systems

The PC computer industry is changing from 32 bit operating systems to 64 bit operating sytems. When the industry went from Windows98 to Windows XP operting systems we found that we had to modify our software to work on either operating system. The 64 bit operating system has been around for a while. However, it is just now that this operating system is becoming the standard rather than the exception. In looking at the computers available in retail stores, there are some 32 bit systems. However, there are an increasing number of 64 bit systems. In keeping with this trend, we have modified our ITSdesign software to work on not only Windows98 and Windows XP (32 bit) systems but also with the 64 bit systems. We have verified that ITSdesign will now operating on both the Windows XP 64 and the Windows Vista 64 operating systems. You can be confident that if you upgrade your computer to the 64 bit systems you will still be able to run our ITSdesign software. If you have not tried ITSdesign, go to our website at www.innovativetanksolution.com and download a trial copy.

API Committee Meeting

We have our spring committee meeting for the API aboveground storage tanks coming up the end of April. I have received several comments concerning errors in the current edition of API-650 including Addendum 1. There are other issues we will be discussing at this meeting. If you have some item of concern I would appreciate hearing from you. As a member of the subcomittee on design I am striving to help make corrections to the standards. I also wish to address the concerns of my clients with regard to the standard. I am currently working on an agenda item concerning Appendix J. If you have a comment concerning this Appendix, please let me know right away as I am trying to finalize the changes I wish to submit within the next week. You can email me your comments at jschroeder@innovativetanksolution.com. I will keep you informed as to what is happening with the committee.

API-650 11th Edition Shell Nozzles

They are completed!! Shell Nozzle Reinforcement calculations are now included in ITSdesign! Here is what is included:

1) Recalculate shell thickness requirements at nozzle elevation for both design (including seismic) and hydrotest conditions.
2) Calculate available area of reinforcement for both design and hydrotest conditions taking into consideration material grades and temperatures.
3) Evaluate weld shear loads for all paths of failure.
4) Check nozzle necks, reinforcing pads, flanges, and blind flanges for impact testing due to design metal temperature.
5) Check nozzles for stress relieving requirements.
6) Check fillet weld and groove weld sizes for compliance with the minimums in the standards.
7) Check weld spacing between the nozzle neck weld or reinforcing pad weld and the bottom to shell weld.
8) Check weld spacing between nozzle neck weld or reinforcing pad weld and the horizontal weld seam above or below the nozzle.
9) Check weld spacing between nozzle neck weld or reinforcing pad weld and wind girder or vacuum rings.
10) Check minimum required thickness of shell nozzle necks and manhole necks.
11) Check manhole plate flange and plate blind flange thicknesses taking into consideration liquid depth, specific gravity, internal pressure, temperature and machining allowance on flange.
12) Includes requirements for Appendix A, J, and S.
13) Evaluate up to 24 different nozzles.

Visit us at www.innovativetanksolution.com and download your trial version today.

API-650 11th Edition Addendum 1 - Part 3

Today we will look at the changes to the appendices. There have been some major additions.

1) Added Appendix AL - this is a complete section for the design, fabrication, erection and testing of aluminum tanks.
2) In Appendix B, they added section B.6 for tank foundations for tanks with elevated temperatures.
3) Added Appendix EC - a commentary on the seismic Appendix E including examples.
4) Revised Appendix F to use the yield strength of the material in formulas F.4.1 and F.5.1.
5) Appendix H added load combinations for floating roof supports.
6) Appendix M added a new paragraph M.3.3 to address the changes to 5.10.4.4 to use Fy. This caused them to renumber everything below this. It appears that the new M.3.7 did not get changed to conform to the changes to Appendix F and will have to be modified.
7) Appendix S added that it is for a maximum of 200' diameter tank.
8) Appendix S added S.4.11.3 to allow the shop welding of narrow plate to form wider shell plate.
9) Added Appendix SC to allow mixed material (carbon steel and stainless steel) in the same tank.
10) Appendix V revised the maximum wind pressure formula, corrected various formulas, and added new formulas. The new formulas include the added stability factor. This sets the values for the stability factor and will require at least two different checks.
11) Added Appendix X to allow tanks built using Duplex Stainless Steel.

This covers most of the changes that are a part of Addendum 1. Some have minor affects. However, there are some major changes. We are working on incorporating these changes in our ITSdesign software and will keep you informed as to how that is going.