DISASTER READINESS & POST-DISASTER ASSESSMENT

Natural disasters - such as hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and fires - are abnormal operating conditions that are often unpredictable and may cause significant damage, costly repairs, and endanger lives. Tanks, pipes, and pressure vessels are assets vulnerable to damage during natural disasters. PEI has extensive experience in preparing assets for natural disaster readiness and post-disaster assessment and inspections.

Engineering design standards change over time and are updated frequently. In order to prepare assets for unpredictable conditions, the ability of a tank, pipe, or pressure vessel to resist the forces experienced during a natural disaster may be re-assessed to the latest engineering design standards and codes to reduce the risk of significant damages during disaster events.

Immediate and thorough post-disaster assessment and inspection is key in determining the need for repair and corrective action to return to normal operating conditions. In some cases, some damaged assets may be returned to service without repairs. API 579 Fitness for Service can provide guidance and thorough analysis to determine sufficient integrity for return to service.

EARTHQUAKES

Seismic design may be grandfathered into a tank. However, over the years, many changes to ASCE and subsequently API 650 Appendix E have been implemented. PEI has the ability to perform anchorage design and seismic re-assessment to prepare for potential damages from earthquakes.

HURRICANE / TYPHOONE / TORNADO READINESS

In preparation for high wind velocities, heavy rain, and flooding a few key assessment components may be considered including:

- Wind buckling loads on shell using IBC or UFC gust wind design

- Hurricane/typhoon-readiness fill height for self-anchoring during high windows and/or flooding to reduce the risk of floating tanks
Wind overturning

- Stress analysis using finite elements to simulate wind forces and determine structural integrity of roof support system

POST-DISASTER ASSESSMENT
AND INSPECTION

Recovery and return to service is important to reduce costly down time. The most effective way to jump-start this process is to perform a thorough post-disaster assessment and inspection to determine extent of damage. Non-destructive testing and advanced visual inspection technologies can be performed to identify areas of significant structural damage. PEI has experience in developing unique solutions for uncommon or unprecedented repair scenarios. Common damage mechanisms include:
- Tank shell buckling and distortion
- Floating empty tanks and subsequent damages to connected piping
- Warped or distorted bottom from seismic forces
- Out-of-plumb columns or twisted rafters that may compromise roof support system

Analysis of rafter movement

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