Dynamic Loading on Submerged Components

Assessing structures in air subjected to dynamic loading from earthquakes or other vibratory loading is typical for structural engineers. Being so light, air has little to no effect on a structure during expected oscillatory loading. When a structure is submerged in a heavier fluid, such as water or oil, the effects of the surrounding fluid cannot be ignored. Submerged dynamic loading is relevant to a host of applications, ranging from cooling pools to fuel tanks to aquariums. While this paper refers to the forces on tanks, this can apply to any fluid-containing structure. This paper focuses on the design of submerged structural components within tanks, not the design of the tanks or exterior tank supports, as those provisions are far more codified.

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