Rocking Response of Unanchored Flat-Bottom Cylindrical Shell Tanks Subjected to Horizontal Base Excitation: Part II — Flexible Bottom Plate
The mechanical analogy of the rock-translation interaction system of the tank is verified by comparing analytical results with experimental ones. To trace actual rocking behaviors of the tank, the existence of effective mass and moment inertia of liquid for a rocking motion, which is proportional to the uplift region of bottom plate, is assumed. The comparison of restoring moment defined by early investigators with overturning moment by proposed methods can identify the region of effective mass for a rocking motion in an iterative manner. Moreover, the base shear and uplift angle calculated agree with ones measured at previous shaking tests. These results corroborate the applicability of proposed methods. Finally, the sufficient friction to enter and sustain a rocking motion of the tank is discussed based on time histories of horizontal and vertical reaction forces on the pivoting edge.