Rectangular Water Tanks Resting on

Ground

• Rectangular tanks are used when storage

capacity is small
• Rectangular tanks should be preferably
square in plan considering economy.
• It is desirable that longer side to short
side ratio be less than 2.
• Rectangular water tank is subjected to:
1) Moments in two directions (V&H)
2) Direct tension

• Moments are caused in two directions of

the wall:
1. Horizontal
2. Vertical direction
• Let, L = length, B= breadth and H = height
of rectangular water tank,
• If, L > H →moments will be mainly in the
vertical direction, ie., the panel bends as
vertical cantilever
• If, H > L →moments will be mainly in the
horizontal direction, ie., the panel bends
as thin slabs supported on edges.
• For intermediate condition bending takes
place both in horizontal and vertical
direction.
• In addition to the moments, the walls are
also subjected to direct tension, i.e., direct
pull exerted by water pressure on some
portion of walls.
• The walls are designed both for direct
tension and bending moment.
• Exact analysis is difficult ∴ designed by
Approximate Methods of analysis.
 Criteria used for analysis of rectangular
tanks with length (L) and breadth(B)
1) For, L/B < 2, the walls are analyzed as
continuous beams
2) For, L/B > 2, the long wall is taken to act as
a cantilever fixed at base. And short wall is
assumed to bend horizontally with its
support on the long wall for a short
portion above H/4 or 1m from the bottom.
Below the H/4 or 1m, short wall also acts
as cantilever.
3) For, tanks like swimming pools, where L
and B are both large they should be
designed independently as cantilevers.
• IS 3370 (Part-IV) gives tables for moments and
shear forces in walls for certain edge
condition.
• Table 1,2,3,4 (Part-IV) of IS 3370 provides
coefficient for max Bending moments in
horizontal and vertical direction for various
edge condition
• Table 5 (Part-IV) of IS 3370- rectangular tanks
with wall free at top and hinged at bottom
• Table 8- Shear at edges of wall panel, free at
top and hinged at bottom.
 Maximum horizontal moment = Mywa3
(+ve & -ve moment for long wall & short
wall)
 Maximum vertical moment = Mxwa3
(+ve & -ve moment for long wall & short
wall)
w= density of water = 10 kN/m3
a= depth or height
b= width or longer side
Design a rectangular water tank 6m × 4m,
depth of storage 2m, resting on ground and
whose walls are rigidly jointed at vertical
and horizontal edges. Also sketch the
details of the reinforcement in the tank.
Solution:
L=b= 6m
B=c= 4m
H=a= 2m
w= density of water = 10 kN/m3
1.Design of side walls:
b/a = 6/2 =3
c/a = 4/2 =2
I. Calculation of horizontal Moments
(Table 5 IS 3370 Part IV)
Long wall:
Long wall +ve moment= Mywa3 = 0.075×10×23
= 6 kNm
Long wall -ve moment = -0.146×10×23
= -11.68 kNm
Short wall:
Short wall +ve moment = Mzwa3 = 0.032×10×23
= 2.56 kNm
Short wall -ve moment =-0.005×10×23
= -0.4 kNm
II. Calculation of Vertical Moments
Long wall: (Mx at y)
Long wall +ve moment = Mxwa3 = 0.05×10×23
= 4 kNm
Long wall -ve moment = -0.027×10×23
= -2.16 kNm
Short wall: (Mx at z)
Short wall +ve moment = Mxwa3 = 0.034×10×23
= 2.72 kNm
Short wall -ve moment = 0
III. Calculation of Shear
(Table 8 IS 3370 Part IV)
Shear in long wall = tension in short wall
(b/a =3) =0.45wa2 = 18 kN
Shear in short wall= tension in long wall
(c/a =2) =0.406wa2 = 16.24 kN

(-ve values are ignored- Cl.2.3.3.1, Part IV)

Approximate calculation of thickness
Height (m) Max. Plan Thickness
dimension (m) assumed (mm)
2 3 150
2 >3 200
3 4 200
3 >4 250
4 4 250
4 >4 300
2.Check for adequacy of thickness based on
calculated and permissible direct stress and
tensile stress due to bending.

𝜎ct’ = calculated direct tensile stress in concrete

𝜎ct = permissible direct tensile stress in concrete
𝜎cbt’= calculated tensile stress due to bending in
concrete
𝜎cbt = permissible tensile stress due to bending in
concrete
Provide M30 concrete & Fe 415 steel
Take, thickness of wall = 200 mm

𝜎ct’ = = 0.09 N/mm2

(take, max. tension value)
𝜎ct = 1.5 N/mm2 (Table 1 IS 3370 Part II)

𝜎cbt’= =
(take, max. moment value)

z = section modulus = t2/6

𝜎cbt’ = 1.752 N/mm2
𝜎cbt = 2 N/mm2 (Table 1 IS 3370 Part II)

<1
0.7 to 0.8 is safe.
So increase the thickness slightly to 230mm.

3.Calculation of reinforcement
Horizontal moments:
For Long wall -ve BM:
Ast 1 (direct tension) = =

= 125 mm2
Ast 2 (horizontal bending) =

Net horizontal moment =

x= d- (t/2)
d= 230-30 = 200 mm
t/2 = 230/2 = 115 mm
j= 1- (k/3)

k=
m = 280/(3𝜎cbc)
𝜎cbc = 10 N/mm2
Ast2 =
Ast = (Ast1/2) + Ast2 = (125/2) + 461 = 524 mm2

Ast min = 0.24% of surface zone = 0.0024×1000×t

= 552 mm2
On 2 long wall, Ast min = 552/2 = 276 mm2

Ast > Ast min

So provide on 2 long walls, Ast = 524 mm2
Provide 12 mm dia bars.
Spacing = (1000× Aᶲ)/524 = 216 mm
Provide 12 mm dia bars at 200 mm c/c.

For Long wall +ve BM:

Ast 1 (direct tension) = = 125 mm2

Ast 2 (horizontal bending) =

here, M= 6 kNm
Ast 2 (horizontal bending) = 206.6 mm2
Ast = (Ast1/2) + Ast2 = (125/2) + 207 = 270 mm2

Ast min = 0.24% of surface zone = 0.0024×1000×t

= 552 mm2
On two long wall, Ast min = 552/2 = 276 mm2

Ast < Ast min

So provide 2 long walls, Ast min = 276 mm2

Provide 12 mm dia bars.

Spacing = (1000× Aᶲ)/276 = 410 mm
Spacing should not exceed thickness
So, Provide 12 mm dia bars at 230 mm c/c.
For short wall horizontal moments
Short wall +ve moment = 2.56 kNm
Short wall -ve moment = -0.4 kNm

Since the moments are very small, Ast < Ast min
So provide 2 short walls, Ast min = 276 mm2
So, Provide 12 mm dia bars at 230 mm c/c.
Vertical moments:
For long and short walls, the +ve and -ve vertical
moments are very less.
So provide 2 long walls, Ast min = 276 mm2
So, Provide 12 mm dia bars at 230 mm c/c.
4. Design of base slab:
Since the tank rest on ground, base slab is
not subjected to any bending forces,
provide minimum reinforcement and
thickness of 200mm.

5. Detailing:
Design of Rectangular Overhead water Tank:
Design of side walls are same as that of
rectangular tanks resting on ground.
Base slab has to be designed
Design of base slab of overhead water tanks
Compute the BMs at the end spans and mid
spans separately
Forces at the end spans:
Hogging moments due to water pressure
on long walls, = (wH3)/6 for a strip of unit
width.
Axial pull/tension at ends = (wH2)/2
Forces acting on the spans:
 Vertical load due to water=

wh= specific weight of water

 Hogging moment =

 Dead load of waist slab =

Net Moment, M = _ +
Condition for maximum moment
When moment is maximum,
Substitute h= l/2 in M,

.`.

when,
 When H < l/2, maximum sagging moment
should be determined with the full tank
condition.

 When H >> l/2, it is possible that at full tank

condition (H=h), there may be a hogging
moment at the mid span. In such case the mid
span should also be designed for this hogging
BM accompanied by the axial pull or axial
tension corresponding to full tank condition
Qn:
A reinforced concrete water tank is 6m × 3m
with a maximum depth of 2.5m. The tank is
supported on brick masonry walls all around.
Design the water tank. Use M30 concrete and
Fe415 steel.
Solution:
1.Design of side walls
a)Design of long wall
b)Design of short wal
...... Same as that of rectangular water tank
resting on ground.
2. Design of base slab:
Thickness of walls = 160 mm
Overall thickness of base slab = 160+40
= 200mm
More bending in shorter direction, ∴ main
reinforcement is placed along the shorter
direction.
∴ Span = 3m
Effective span = span + effective thickness
= 3+0.16 = 3.16m
w = 10 kN/m3
H = 2.5m
l/2 = 3.18/2 = 1.58m
H> l/2
(∴ check for hogging moment should be done)

i) Support/end spans:
Hogging BM at support, M = =
= 26.04 kNm

Axial pull, T= = = 31.25 kN

Calculation of reinforcement:

Ast1 = =

Ast2 = =

Provide 16mm dia bars,

d= t- CC- (dia/2)
∴d= 200-25-8 = 167 mm
x = d-(t/2)
Ast = Ast1 + Ast2 = 240.38 + 1281.07
= 1522 mm2

Spacing = (1000Aφ)/1522 =
Provide 16mm dia bars at 130 mm c/c.

ii) Mid span section:

=
Calculation of reinforcement:

Ast1 = =

Ast2 =

Ast = Ast1 + Ast2 = 96.01 + 987.7

= 1084 mm2
Provide 16mm dia bars.
Spacing = (1000Aφ)/1084 =

Provide 16mm dia bars at 175 mm c/c.

iii) Check for possible hogging moment at mid

span when H> l/2

M = ...... kNm
If +ve, no hogging moment in the midspan.
If –ve, redesign the section.
iii) Distribution reinforcement

(Minimum reinforcement is provided along the

longer side as distribution reinforcement)

Astmin = 0.24% (1000t)

= 0.0024×1000×200
= 480 mm2
Provide 10 mm dia bars
Spacing =

Provide 10 mm dia bars at ..... c/c spacing

iv) Detailing
Design of Square Overhead Water Tank

 Main reinforcement is provided in both the

directions
 ∴ Moment due to weight of water is equally
shared.

 When moment is maximum,




Design of Circular Overhead Water Tank

 Design of side walls- same as that of circular

water tank resting on ground.
 Design of roof- roof will be dome type.
 Design of base slab

1.Design of dome type roof:

 Dome can cover large area without any
intermediate support.
 Dome thickness = 75 – 150 mm
 Rise of dome = (1/4) th – (1/6)th of the span
Stresses in dome:
1. Stress due to meridonial thrust
 Load applied on the dome is resisted by a
series of horizontal rings.
 There will be a thrust on each ring from the
other
 This thrust is known as meridian thrust and
the resulting stress is known as meridian
stress
2. Hoop stress
 The horizontal component of meridian
thrust produces hoop stress
Fig:
Equations:
 Meridonial Thrust,

 Hoop stress= f

t= thickness of dome
w=UDL
W= concentrated load
R= radius of curvature of dome
Ring beam:
 Ring beam is made by thickening the edges of
the dome and it is designed to take hoop stress
 Hoop tension in ring beam = T×cosθ×r
 Check for minimum reinforcement i.e., 0.24 %
of surface zone for Fe415 & 0.3% -mild steel

2.Design of base slab:

i. Maximum circumferential moment =

ii. Maximum +ve radial moment=

w= total load on base slab due:
1. Weight of water= wH
(w= 10kN/m3)
2. Dead load of slab= 25×thickness of slab
Ast corresponding to above moments are
provided as bottom reinforcement

iii. Maximum -ve radial moment =

Ast corresponding to –ve radial moments are
provided as top reinforcement
Qn:
Design a circular tank of diameter 5.75m with a
dome of rise 0.9m. The cylindrical part has a
height of 3m. The tank is supported on brick
masonry walls all around. Allow a live load of
1340 N/m2 on the dome surface. Use M30
concrete and Fe 415 steel.
Given:
D= 5.75m ∴ r = 2.875m
H= 3m
Height of dome= 0.9m
M30 concrete & Fe 415 steel
1. Design of top cover or dome:
Add fig:
R= radius of curvature of dome
R2 = (R-0.9)2 + 2.8752
R= 5.04m
Sinθ = 2.875/5.04 ∴ θ= 34.78
Take, thickness of dome, t= 150 mm

Loads acting on dome

Dead load = 25000×t =
Live load = 1340 N/m2
Total load = 5090 N/m2

1. Meridonial thrust at springing level,

w= total load
T = 14085 N/m
Meridonial stress = (t = 150mm)
= 0.0938 N/mm2/m

2. Hoop stress:
Hoop stress at springing level (θ= 34.78),

= 0.05 N/mm2
Hoop tension = f×1000t = 0.05×1000×150
= 7500 N
Hoop stress at crown (θ= 0) f,
f = 0.08 N/mm2

Calculation of reinforcement for dome

Ast (for meridonial thrust) =

= 14085/130
= 108.34 mm2

Ast ( for Hoop tension) = = 7500/130

= 58 mm2
Since the stresses are small, the reinforcements
are less
∴ provide nominal or minimum reinforcements
on both ways

Ast (min) = 0.24%(1000t) = 360 mm2

= 108.34 mm2
Provide 8mm dia bars,
∴ Spacing = (1000Aφ)/360 = 139mm

Provide 8mm dia bars at 130mm c/c

2. Design of ring beam supporting dome
 Hoop tension in ring beam = T×cosθ×r
where, T= Meridonial thrust = 14085N/m
∴ Hoop tension = 14085×cos34.78×2.875
= 32680N/m

Ast = = = 252mm2

Provide 10 mm dia bars,

∴ No. of bars =
 Provide 4 no. of 10 mm dia bars in the ring
beam in a circular manner.
 Provide stirrups of 8mm dia bars at 150 mm
c/c.
 Let the size of ring beam= 200mm wide ×
150mm deep.
Check for tensile stress in concrete for ring
beam
Actual tensile stress in concrete =
Concrete area = (200×150) – Ast – mAst
Tensile stress, 𝜎ct’=
Permissible tensile stress, 𝜎ct = 1.5 N/mm2
0.355< 𝜎ct Hence safe.
3. Design of cylindrical walls
(same as circular water tank resting on ground)
 Minimum thickness of 150 mm should be
provided
4. Design of base slab
Provide a thickness of 200 mm
Loads
Load due to weight of water = wH = 10×3
= 30 kN/m2
Dead load of slab = 25×0.2 = 5 kN/m2
Permissible tensile stress, 𝜎ct = 1.5 N/mm2
0.355< 𝜎ct Hence safe.
3. Design of cylindrical walls
(same as circular water tank resting on ground)
 Minimum thickness of 150 mm should be
provided
4. Design of base slab
Provide a thickness of 200 mm
Loads
Load due to weight of water = wH = 10×3
= 30 kN/m2
Dead load of slab = 25×0.2 = 5 kN/m2
Total load, w = 35 kN/m2
i. Maximum circumferential moment =
= =
ii. Maximum +ve radial moment =

iii. -ve radial moment =

Calculation of bottom reinforcement:

Ast =

D= 200mm ; d= 200-CC-(φ/2)
Provide 16 mm φ bars, and clear cover= 25mm
d= 200- 25 -8 = 167 mm
Ast =
Provide, 16 mm dia bars,
∴ Spacing =
Provide 16mm φ bars at 200mm c/c spacing.
Calculation of top reinforcement (-ve radial
moment):
Ast =

Provide, 16mm φ bars,

∴ Spacing =
Provide 16 mm φ bars at 100mm c/c spacing.

Detailing
1. Bottom reinforcement
2. Top reinforcement
3. Section