PDVSA

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL

VOLUME 18–II

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA N° TITLE

AG–211–PRT EARTH DIKES FOR STORAGE TANKS

2 AUG.95 GENERAL REVISION 7 L.T. E.J. A.N.

1 OCT.92 GENERAL REVISION L.T. R.P. R.R.

0 DEC.85 FOR APPROVAL 7 J.S. J.G. E.S.

REV. DATE DESCRIPTION PAG. REV. APPD. APPD.

APPD.BY José Gilarranz DATE DEC.85 APPD.BY Eduardo Santamaria DATE DEC.85

E PDVSA, 1983 ESPECIALISTAS

 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA AG–211–PRT
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Index
1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 PDVSA References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Regulatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.6 Submittals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.7 Site Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Material for Earth Dike Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Unsuitable Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Erosion Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.4 Material for Basin Lining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.5 Protective Soils Above BASIN Lining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 EXECUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1 Removal of Unsuitable Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2 Excavation of Earth Dike and Basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.3 Basin Lining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.4 Construction of Dike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.5 Temporary Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.6 Vehicular Access Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.7 Basin Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.8 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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1 GENERAL
1.1 Scope
This specification defines the minimum requirements to be met by the designer
and installation contractor for construction of earth dikes for storage tanks. The
work comprises:
Design, material and construction of earth dikes

1.2 PDVSA References

Culverts AL–211–PRT
Roads – Asphaltic Concrete AE–211
Site Clearance and General Earthwork AI–211
Storage Tank Foundations AM–211–PRT
Underground Piping for Drainage HE–251–PRT
Systems Design Requirements
Site Data SD–251
Earth Dikes for Storage Tanks 0602.1.472
Engineering Guide

1.3 Quality Assurance

In–place compaction tests shall be performed by a testing laboratory approved
by PDVSA.

1.4 Regulatory Requirements

1.4.1 Comply with all applicable Venezuelan laws, standards and regulations.
a. Risk Engineering Manual, PDVSA.

1.5 References
The following codes, standards and specifications, including applicable addenda,
shall form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein:
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
D698 Standard Test Methods for Moisture–Density Relations of Soils
and Soil–Aggregate Mixtures Using 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) Rammer and
12 in (305 mm) Drop.
D1557 Standard Test Methods for Moisture–Density Relations of Soils
and Soil–Aggregate Mixtures Using 10 lbs (4.5 kg) Rammer and
18 in (457 mm) Drop.
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D2487 Standard Test Method for Classification of Soils for Engineering

Purposes.

1.6 Submittals
Contractor shall deliver to PDVSA’s representative all laboratory test results.
Contractor shall keep orderly files and records of test results. All information
regarding testing shall be accesible for the inspection authority at any desired
opportunity.

1.7 Site Conditions

1.7.1 Contractor shall visit the job site to determine existing surface conditions before
submitting bid.
1.7.2 Geotechnical report including boring logs and test data to determine soil and
water conditions.

2 MATERIALS
2.1 Material for Earth Dike Walls
Locally available or imported impervious soils free from organic matter classified
as Group GC in ASTM D2487.

2.2 Unsuitable Material

Highly organic soils ASTM D2487 Group PT: topsoil, roots, vegetable matter,
trash, and debris.

2.3 Erosion Protection

Adequate erosion protection is to be provided in accordance with Engineering
Guide PDVSA 0602.1.472 “Earth Dikes for Storage Tanks”.
Concrete dikes for storage tanks might be necessary (see PDVSA AG–212–PT,
“Concrete Dikes for Storage Tanks”).

2.4 Material for Basin Lining

Impervious Silty clays classified as groups CL or CH in ASTM D2487.

2.5 Protective Soils Above BASIN Lining

Locally available granular soil classified as Group GW through SC in ASTM
D2487.
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3 EXECUTION
3.1 Removal of Unsuitable Materials
Remove vegetation and top soil and scarify the surface in accordance with
PDVSA Engineering Guide 0602.1.472 to a minimum of 300 mm wider than the
diked wall dimensions shown on the drawings.

3.2 Excavation of Earth Dike and Basin

3.2.1 Remove soils within diked area to the bottom elevation of clay lining as shown on
drawings. Compact the excavated basin floor in accordance with Specification
“Site Clearance and General Earthwork”, PDVSA AI–211.
3.2.2 Excavate any soft spots found at final grade before constructing earth dikes.
Replace with suitable soil and compact.

3.3 Basin Lining

3.3.1 Uniformly spread and compact the impervious basin lining to a minimum
thickness of 200 mm on the compacted basin floor. Compact with rubber–tired
or sheepsfoot rollers to at least 95% of maximum density at or above optimum
moisture in accordance with ASTM D1557 (Modified Proctor).
3.3.2 Spread and compact the protective soil on top of the clay (impervious) lining to a
minimum thickness of 200 mm. Compact at optimum moisture to at least 90%
of maximum density in accordance with ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor).
3.3.3 Grade the protective soil in accordance with PDVSA Engineering Guide
0602.1.472.

3.4 Construction of Dike

3.4.1 Construct dikes to conform with dimensions and details shown on PDVSA’s
drawings in accordance with PDVSA Engineering Guide 0602.1.472.
3.4.2 Place selected fill in uniform layers not more than 200 mm thick and compact to
minimum of 90% maximum density, determined by ASTM D1557 (Modified
Proctor) at an optimum moisture content.

3.5 Temporary Openings

Bench horizontally and vertically temporary openings left in dikes for construction
access or pipelines. Bench in 300 mm steps with a 45° slope, set back at each
step to form a key, and prevent local slipping.
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3.6 Vehicular Access Ramps

Provide maintenance vehicular access ramps as shown on PDVSA’s design
drawings. Construct ramp fill, subgrade, base course, and asphalt wearing
course in accordance with Specification “Roads – Asphaltic Concrete”, PDVSA
AE–211 and Engineering Guide 0602.1.472.

3.7 Basin Drainage

For basin drainage and fire seal requirements, see Specification “Underground
Piping for Drainage Systems Design Requirements”, PDVSA HE–251–PRT.

3.8 Cleaning
Remove trash and unsuitable materials from the site at Contractor’s expense.
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1. APPENDIX 1
DESIGN

1 GENERAL
1.1 Work Included
1.1.1 This design appendix contains the design basis for the preparation of drawings
and other documents for the following work:
Design criteria for earth dikes for storage tanks.

1.2 System Requirements

Diked areas are used to retain accidental discharge of product from above ground
tanks in order to prevent the liquid from endangering adjacent facilities, property,
water ways, or ground water.

1.3 References
NFPA National Fire Protection Association:
N° 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

1.4 Site Conditions

See Specification “Site Data”, PDVSA–SD–251 for general physical conditions at
site.

2 DESIGN
2.1 Dike Design
2.1.1 Design dikes to withstand hydrostatic loads based on the diked area being full of
water.
a. Design dikes sufficiently impervious to contain a product spill for a period of
time adequate for recovery and cleanup.

2.2 Access
2.2.1 Access for fire fighting mobile equipment is required.
2.2.2 Maintenance vehicle and personnel access shall be designed in accordance with
PDVSA Engineering Guide 0602.1.472.
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3 DESIGN DETAILS
3.1 Tanks – Dike Spacing
3.1.1 For requirements of tank–dike sizing and spacing, see Engineering Guide
0602.1.472.

3.2 Dike Dimensions

For dike dimensions, see Engineering Guide 0602.1.472.

3.3 Pipe Openings

Seal all pipe openings in dike walls and design for lateral forces, if required. Pipe
openings shall be capable of withstanding a full hydrostatic head of water.

3.4 Sumps
Sump dimensions shall be per Engineering Guide 0602.1.472.