Analysis and optimization on plate arrangement for conical bottom of vertical steel oil tank

Reasonable plate arrangement is the key to ensure the structural safety and construction economy of the conical bottom of aviation oil tank. Aiming at the problems existing in plate arrangement, the geometric features of the rectangular or sectorial plate arrangements were analyzed, and an improved rectangular plate arrangement of conical bottom was proposed by combining the advantages of the two plate arrangements. Specifically, four kinds of oil tanks with diferent capacities were selected and designed with the improved rectangular plate arrangement. Then, it was compared with the existing plate arrangement. Besides, the analytic hierarchy process was used to evaluate the three plate arrangements comprehensively, thereby verifying the advantages of the improved plate arrangement. The results show that the improved rectangular plate arrangement combines the advantages of the traditional rectangular or sectorial plate arrangements, with better structural safety and lower production cost for the plate arrangement design in conical bottom of oil tanks. Compared with the other two plate arrangements, the comprehensive weight index of the improved plate arrangement is more than 7% higher in the aspects of structural safety and production cost, and it is the optimal plate arrangement of conical bottom. The research results could provide guidance for the optimization of plate arrangement design for the conical bottom of vertical steel oil tanks, so as to ensure the safe and economic storage of aviation oil.