5-14 API STANDARD 650

5.4 Bottom Plates

● 5.4.1 All bottom plates shall have a corroded thickness of not less than 6 mm (0.236 in.) [49.8 kg/m2 (9.6 lbf/ft2) (see
4.2.1.2)]. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Purchaser, all rectangular and sketch plates (bottom plates on which the
shell rests that have one end rectangular) shall have a nominal width of not less than 1800 mm (72 in.).

5.4.2 Bottom plates of sufficient size shall be ordered so that, when trimmed, at least a 50 mm (2 in.) width will
project outside the shell or meet requirements given in 5.1.5.7 d whichever is greater.

5.4.3 Bottom plates shall be welded in accordance with 5.1.5.4 or 5.1.5.5.

● 5.4.4 Unless otherwise specified on the Data Sheet, Line 12, tank bottoms requiring sloping shall have a minimum
slope of 1:120 upwards toward center of the tank.

● 5.4.5 If specified on the Data Sheet, Line 12, a foundation drip ring shall be provided to prevent ingress of
water between the tank bottom and foundation. Unless the Purchaser specifies otherwise, the ring shall meet
the following requirements (see Figure 5.5).

1) Material shall be carbon steel, 3 mm (1/8 in.) minimum thickness.

2) All radial joints between sections of the drip rings, as well as between the drip ring and the annular plate or
bottom, shall be continuously seal-welded.

3) The drip ring shall extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) beyond the outer periphery of the foundation ringwall and then
turn down (up to 90°) at its outer diameter.

4) The top and bottom of the drip ring, and the top of the tank bottom edge projection beyond the shell, and a
portion of the tank shell shall be coated if specified by the Purchaser.

Shell

Drip ring
Bottom

--```,,,``````,`,,,`,,,,,```,`,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Coat if
specified
Foundation

Figure 5.5—Drip Ring (Suggested Detail)

Copyright American Petroleum Institute

Provided by IHS under license with API Licensee=Techint S.A./5938621100, User=Vanoli, Ariel
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 05/03/2013 13:46:43 MDT
 WELDED TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE 5-15

3) The drip ring shall extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) beyond the outer periphery of the foundation ringwall and then
turn down (up to 90°) at its outer diameter.

4) The top and bottom of the drip ring, and the top of the tank bottom edge projection beyond the shell, and a
portion of the tank shell shall be coated if specified by the Purchaser.

5.5 Annular Bottom Plates

5.5.1 When the bottom shell course is designed using the allowable stress for materials in Group IV, IVA, V, or VI,
butt-welded annular bottom plates shall be used (see 5.1.5.6). When the bottom shell course is of a material in Group
IV, IVA, V, or VI and the maximum product stress (see 5.6.2.1) for the first shell course is less than or equal to 160
MPa (23,200 lbf/in.2) or the maximum hydrostatic test stress (see 5.6.2.2) for the first shell course is less than or
equal to 171 MPa (24,900 lbf/in.2), lap-welded bottom plates (see 5.1.5.4) may be used in lieu of butt-welded annular
bottom plates.

5.5.2 Annular bottom plates shall have a radial width that provides at least 600 mm (24 in.) between the inside of the
shell and any lap-welded joint in the remainder of the bottom. Annular bottom plate projection outside the shell shall
meet the requirements of 5.4.2. A greater radial width of annular plate is required when calculated as follows:

Fy
L = 2 tb ------------------
-
2ϒGH

where

L is the minimum width of annular plate as measured from inside edge of the shell to the edge of the plate in
the remainder of the bottom, mm (inch);

Fy is the minimum yield strength of the annular plate at ambient temperature, MPa (psi);

NOTE This applies to Annex-M, Annex-AL, Annex-S, and Annex-X tanks as well).
14
tb is the nominal thickness of the annular plate (see 5.5.3), mm (in.);

H is the maximum design liquid level (see 5.6.3.2), m (ft);

G is the design specific gravity of the liquid to be stored, as specified by the Purchaser, not greater than 1.0;

ϒ is the density factor of water. MPa per meter, (psi per foot) SI: 9.81/1000, USC: 62.4/144.

NOTE Derivation of the equation is from “Structural Analysis and Design of Process Equipment” by Jawad and Farr and L.P.
Zick and R.V. McGrath, “Design of Large Diameter Cylindrical Shells.”

5.5.3 The thickness of the annular bottom plates shall not be less than the greater thickness determined using Table
5.1a and Table 5.1b for product design (plus any specified corrosion allowance) or for hydrostatic test design. Table
5.1a and Table 5.1b are applicable for effective product height of H × G ≤ 23 m (75 ft). Beyond this height an elastic
analysis must be made to determine the annular plate thickness.

5.5.4 The ring of annular plates shall have a circular outside circumference, but may have a regular polygonal
shape inside the tank shell, with the number of sides equal to the number of annular plates. These pieces shall be
welded in accordance with 5.1.5.6 and 5.1.5.7, Item b.

5.5.5 In lieu of annular plates, the entire bottom may be butt-welded provided that the requirements for annular plate
thickness, welding, materials, and inspection are met for the annular distance specified in 5.5.2.