TANK is a comprehensive engineering software program for PC compatible computers that designs and analyzes oil storage tanks according to the latest API-650 and API-653 codes. For much less than it would cost to build an in-house spreadsheet application, TANK delivers the features and stability typical of a COADE software product, including immediate, top-rate technical support.

TANK is much more than the computerization of a time consuming engineering task. Its development was shaped by the input of many "API-650/653 expert" engineers whose influence ensured that TANK performs the required tasks effectively and efficiently.

A menu-driven scroll-and-select interface provides logical options when and where expected. Context-sensitive help provides instant technical assistance for each data field, with code references as often as possible.

TANK also provides control options for everything from calculations to screen colors, allowing the customization of the TANK environment on a directory basis. Options affecting computations include 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 material databases, corroded nozzles, corroded hydrotest, corroded wind girder calculations, and wind pressures. A material data base editor is provided so the software can address additional materials not included in the code.

The program also provides several standard units files, which if not sufficient, can be used to generate other, custom units files. Completed jobs can be converted to other units systems as client requirements dictate, without rerunning the analysis.

The TANK program is continuously maintained by the engineering staff of COADE. Program revisions incorporate additional capabilities addressing both technical and operational items. Users are encouraged to suggest improvements that would help their day-to-day usage of the software. The latest version of TANK includes the latest addendum to the 9th Edition of API-650 as well as the latest addendum to the 2nd Edition of API-653. See the enhancement list for details of capabilities added for each release of the TANK program. A slide show demonstration of TANK is available for down load from this web site.

Operational Features

Menu / Spreadsheet Interface

The menus are set up to present the available program options in a logical order, the way a job would typically be accomplished. Each menu option provides "help" for assistance whenever necessary. Most menus provide a recovery or escape option in case of errant selections.

The input spreadsheets provide concise prompts for input data, including the expected units. Each input cell provides "help" to explain additional details about the input cell, including code references when appropriate.

Shell course data (thicknesses, heights, corrosion, and material properties) can be duplicated by the program, thereby reducing the amount of input required from the user. There is also a spreadsheet for the estimation of tank size versus cost, which can serve as a starting point for additional tank calculations.

Context Sensitive Help

The "help" facility provided with TANK gives the user access to very specific information about the current input cell or menu selection. The help text details exactly what is expected, why, and when appropriate the code reference.

The same help engine is used to provide program diagnostics in the event of system or program failures. Diagnostic messages are available for computational as well as system abnormalities.

All help and diagnostic messages provide complete contact information to ensure users have a variety of methods available for contacting the COADE support staff.

Integrated Error Checking

The TANK program includes an integrated error checker, which is automatically run following the completion of the input specification. This error checker analyzes the user-specified input and checks it for consistency and compliance with the API code rules. Two types of messages are generated by this error checker, warnings and fatal errors. Warning messages are conditions that may be errors, but are numerically acceptable. For example, warning messages are generated when shell course heights are defined less than six feet, or nozzle analysis is requested for tanks with diameters less than one hundred twenty feet. Fatal error messages are generated when the specified input data is inconsistent or illogical, for example if the corrosion allowance is larger then the corresponding thickness.

Jobs can be analyzed with warning messages, but not with fatal error messages. Warning messages are available for inclusion in the final output reports.

Interactive Report Review

Once a job has been analyzed, the solution results are available for review at any time. The review module is interactive, allowing the selective review of individual output reports. A pre-output processor is available to create new reports or to append to existing reports. Added reports can be generated in units systems different from previous reports, providing data review suitable for a variety of purposes.

Reports can be annotated by the user, to highlight or explain specific points of interest (program generated data lines may not be altered). Reports can be viewed on the terminal screen, or sent to a printer or to a disk file.

Material DataBases and Editor

The TANK program is installed with four material libraries, representing the 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 editions (addenda) to the API-650 code. The user simply selects the desired data base in the configuration module, to activate a set of materials for future use.

A Material DataBase Editor is provided that allows users to specify their own custom materials. User-defined materials are saved in a user file for subsequent merging with the COADE supplied material databases. This segregation ensures that user-defined materials are not lost when program upgrades are installed. All that is required is a re-merging of the databases.

The Material DataBase Editor provides for the specification of all material properties, including the new temperature-dependent properties of Stainless Steel (added in Addendum 2 to the 9th Edition of API-650).

Digitized Code Data

Wherever possible, the data from the figures and tables of the codes have been digitized and are incorporated into the TANK program. This includes the curves from Appendices E and P, as well as the curves of Figure 2-1, to name a few. The TANK program incorporates its own interpolation routines so that users no longer need to estimate data values from the code.

Structural Library

For supported cone roof design, the TANK program provides a structural shape library which incorporates sections from the 1989 edition of the AISC code, as well as some combined shapes from the text by Brownell & Young. In addition, Version 1.51 added structural databases from Australia, Germany, Korea, South Africa, and the UK.

Graphics Display of Solution Data

Depending on the specifics of the job, various graphics displays may be available. The TANK program provides a graphical review of the results of nozzle interaction diagrams, supported cone roof design, and shell out-of-plane settlement. These graphical results can be shown on the terminal screen or sent to a printer.

Custom Program Configuration

The TANK program can be customized to suit individual taste or project requirements. This customization can be controlled on a directory-by-directory basis, accommodating different users or different client needs.

Analysis and Design Capabilities

TANK provides the ability to design or analyze tanks per API-650 or API-653. API-650 addresses the design, fabrication, erection, and testing requirements of above-ground, welded steel, atmospheric storage tanks. (API-653 is discussed below.) The following sections of API-650 are addressed by the TANK program.

Thickness Design - The tank shell course thicknesses (up to twenty courses per tank) can be evaluated according to any of the three methods set forth in API-650. While the One-Foot and Appendix A methods provide and exact solution, the Variable Point method is iterative in nature. In design mode TANK computes the required thicknesses (according to the specified method) for both the test and design cases. In analysis mode, the required thicknesses are determined, but then for subsequent computations, the user-specified course thicknesses are used.

Allowed Fluid Heights - For either the design or analysis modes, the allowed fluid height above the bottom of each course is reported. This table shows, for the non-governing load case, exactly how much fluid can be stored without over stressing the tank shell. This table is especially useful in analysis mode, when the actual thickness is less than desired

Wind Girder and Stability - Following the thickness design, the requirements for the necessity of wind girders is evaluated. This procedure employs the Transformed Shell method and finishes with the selection of structural shapes suitable for the required section modulus.

Wind overturning stability is also evaluated, and if necessary the TANK program will compute the required anchorage.

High Temperature Adjustments per Appendix M - For tanks operating above 200 deg F, the material allowables and many of the constants in code equations must be modified. These modifications are made in accordance with the rules and tables of Appendix M.

Seismic Analysis per Appendix E - The user may also specify the data required to perform a seismic analysis. This analysis shows the acceptability of the tank for the design, test, and empty conditions. Anchorage is automatically designed if required.

Internal Pressure Analysis per Appendix F - When necessary, the TANK program evaluates the tank according to the rules of Appendix F. This evaluation may force a re-computation of the shell course thicknesses according to Appendix A.

Nozzle Flexibilities and Limiting Loads per Appendix P - Nozzles attached to the tank shell can be evaluated for limiting loads and flexibilities. The flexibility computation yields stiffnesses suitable for input into a piping program, such as CAESAR II. These stiffness then act as a restraint in the piping software. The limiting load computation yields the extreme values of the nozzle interaction diagrams. These diagrams can be plotted by TANK. If the actual nozzle loads, from a piping program such as CAESAR II, are specified, the TANK plots include the location of the interaction point. This enables the user to interpret the acceptability of the nozzle under the given loads. (Up to fifteen nozzles per tank can be specified for analysis.)

Stainless Steel Adjustments per Appendix S - Addendum 2 to the 9th Edition of API-650 includes a new appendix, Appendix S. This appendix provides material properties and modified equations for the analysis of stainless steel tanks. In addition, Appendix S modifies the interpretation of many paragraphs in other chapters of the code, for stainless steel tanks.

Supported Cone Roof Design per Brownell & Young - When necessary, the user may request a supported cone roof on a tank. The program will design a supported cone roof (rafters, girders, and columns) based on the procedures outlined in the text by Brownell & Young. The TANK program also plots a section view of the roof, with all pertinent parameters available.

API-2000 Venting Requirements - As an option, the venting requirements of the tank (for inbreathing, outbreathing, and fire exposure) can be computed according to API-2000 5th Edition.

API-653 Capabilities - API-653 provides minimum requirements for maintaining the integrity of welded or riveted, non-refrigerated, atmospheric pressure, above-ground storage tanks after they have been placed in service. This code covers the maintenance inspection, repair, alteration, relocation, and reconstruction of such tanks. The following sections of API-653 are addressed by the TANK program.

Material Adjustments per Section 2.3 - An API-653 analysis begins with a recalculation of the minimum required shell thickness. However, this computation uses an allowable of SE, where both are determined by the code. (Note that as of the 2nd Edition, API-653 provides a table of joint efficiency values as a function of code year. This table is available to the TANK user in the help text.)

Remaining Corrosion and Retiring Thicknesses - For API-653 analysis, an additional report follows the shell thickness report. This additional report details the remaining corrosion allowance and the retiring thickness on a per course basis.

Individual Course Values of "L" and "E" - For tanks that may need closer evaluations, the TANK program provides the ability to specify a joint efficiency on a per course bases. In addition, the user may specify the distance from the bottom of each course to the "L" value.

Evaluation Using t1 and t2 - Further analysis refinements are possible by specifying both t1 and t2 for each tank course. When this data is specified, additional output tables are produced to show allowed fluid heights, remaining corrosion, and retiring thickensses.

Minimum Thickness for Tank Bottom Plate per Section 2.4.7 - The TANK program also evaluates the equations of Section 2.4.7. These equations define the parameters MRT1 and MRT2.

Evaluation of Shell Settlement per Appendix B - In an effort to reduce shell stresses, out-of-roundness, and floating roof bindings, the shell settlement can be analyzed. This evaluation begins with settlement measurements. The results can be reviewed in tabular form, or plotted. The results include the optimum cosine curve, the out-of-plane settlement, and the out-of-plane deflection.

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