The Impact of Differential Settlement on Sloshing Dynamics in Coastal Zone Storage Tanks Under External Excitation: Implications for Sustainable Development

Heng Jin, Jintao Lu, Yi Liu, Jianmin Shen, Fashui Zhang, Chenhao Zhu and Shu Li ()
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Heng Jin: College of Mechatronics and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China
Jintao Lu: Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Yi Liu: College of Mechatronics and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China
Jianmin Shen: Ningbo Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute, Ningbo 315000, China
Fashui Zhang: College of Mechatronics and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China
Chenhao Zhu: College of Mechatronics and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China
Shu Li: College of Mechatronics and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Large storage tanks situated in coastal areas are vulnerable to environmental hazards, with earthquakes being one of the most destructive forces threatening their structural safety. Additionally, differential settlement can significantly alter conditions in the tank, including the inclination, thereby changing the direction of external applied excitation forces and affecting the liquid sloshing response. To investigate the coupled effects of structural settlement and external excitation, model tests were conducted in series to analyze liquid sloshing behavior in a tilted tank subjected to harmonic excitation. The results revealed that the liquid response under combined environmental loads displayed distinct characteristics compared with that under single excitation. While the inclination angle had minimal influence during the unstable sloshing stage, it became crucial during the stable stage, particularly for third-order resonant responses, leading to intensified sloshing. More specifically, as the tilt angle of the storage tank from 0° to 8°, the steady-state wave height at third-order resonance increased by approximately 69%. This highlights the amplified risks to the structural stability and safety posed by differential settlement. Furthermore, variations in steady-state wave heights due to differential settlement conditions were investigated. The water level elevation along the tank walls varies as the inclination angles increase, which leads to potential risks to the stability of liquid storage under forced motion, especially under symmetric structural designs, and increases the likelihood of structural instability, oil spills, and other coastal disasters. These results provide valuable insights into the safety risks and sustainable utilization of coastal infrastructure, serving a basis for assessing and mitigating the risks associated with structural settlement and seismic excitations.

Keywords: coastal disaster mitigation; sloshing; differential settlement; hydrodynamics response; safety assessments; sustainable development; rectangular tanks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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