TECHNICAL TRANSACTIONS

CIVIL ENGINEERING

CZASOPISMO TECHNICZNE
BUDOWNICTWO

1-B/2015

MAREK PIEKARCZYK*, TOMASZ MICHAOWSKI*, DAWID KOWALCZYK*

EXAMPLES OF DESIGNING STEEL SHELL STRUCTURES

ACCORDING TO EUROCODES
PRZYKADY PROJEKTOWANIA
STALOWYCHKONSTRUKCJI POWOKOWYCH
WEDUGEUROKODW

Abstract
The paper presents an analysis of the guidelines of the European standards on procedures for
the calculation of shell structures. The analysis is illustrated with examples concerning three
types of structures of the type i.e.: a chimney, a silo and a tank.
Keywords: steel structures, shell structures, chimney, silo, tank
Streszczenie
W artykule przedstawiono analiz wytycznych norm europejskich dotyczcych procedur obliczeniowych konstrukcji powokowych. Analiza zilustrowana zostaa przykadami obliczeniowymi dotyczcymi trzech konstrukcji, czyli komina, silosu i zbiornika.
Sowa kluczowe: konstrukcje metalowe, konstrukcje powokowe, komin, silos, zbiornik
DOI: 10.4467/2353737XCT.15.080.3880
* Prof. D.Sc. Ph.D. Eng. Marek Piekarczyk, Ph.D. Eng. Tomasz Michaowski, M.Sc. Eng. Dawid
Kowalczyk, Chair of Metal Structures, Institute of Building Material and Structures, Civil
Engineering Faculty, Cracow University of Technology.

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1. Introduction
The chosen design examples of steel structures set up in the paper are all shells
ofrevolution. That is why they should be designed according to the rules given in the standard
PN-EN 1993-1-6 [1]. They belong however to three various types of buildings for which
detailed regulations were also elaborated separately: for chimneys in the regulation PN-EN
1993-3-2 [2], silos in the regulation PN-EN 1993-4-1 [3] and tanks in PN-EN 1993-4-2 [4].
Before 2010 each of the three types of steel structures was designed according to the
adequate object standard in the Polish project practice, ie chimneys PN-93/B 03201 [5],
silos for loose materials PN-B-03202: 1996 [6], cylindrical vertical tanks PN-B-03210: 1997
[7]. To each type of the structure corresponding Polish comprehensive monographs have
been dedicated - for instance [8] and [9] for chimneys, [10] for silos and [11] for tanks.
The way in which wind actions on structures are estimated can be an illustration
of differences between calculations for the three types of shells after old Polish and
new European standards. Silos and tanks were calculated according to [12], chimneys
according to [5]. The results of calculations according to different standards for a few
cases of tower-type structures are presented in detail in [13]. For example, Fig. 1 shows

Fig. 1. Comparison of wind load according to various standards

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a comparison of wind load values as a function of the chimney height H. This includes
adimensionless parameter describing wind action defined as:
w = 106 p / f

(1)

where:
w dimensionless parameter of wind load,
p wind pressure [Pa] calculated according to the guidelines in standards [12]
and[14],
f yield strength of steel.
The above described comparison was based on the following assumptions:
climatic zone 1 of wind load according to [12] and [14],
industrial area, i.e. type C of the surroundings according to [12] and 3 according to [14],
4.0 m diameter of the structure.
The most essential change in comparison to the traditional old approach to the design
procedures of the considered shell structures is the integration of the rules within the range
of their strength and stability check as well as the uniform approach to their reliability.
Thelatter is described in the standard [15]. The uniform approach to all the shell structures
is also shown in standard [1] and described in the commentary to it [16, 17]. This uniform
approach is based on the two most important rules:
1. Common approach to each structure according to EN 1990 [15];
2. Wide range of MES application to the calculation of shell structures.
The algorithm of calculations is presented in Table 1.
Ta b l e 1
Algorithm of calculations
Step of analysis

Number of Eurocode

Comments

EN 1990

General information on reliability of structures

EN 1991-1, EN 1991-4

Loads and actions

EN 1993-3-2, EN 1993-4-1,
EN 1993-4-2

Specific requirements for chimneys, silos

andtanks

EN 1993-1-6

Calculation of shell structures

other

Calculation of other parts of structures

2. Reliability of structures
Analyses of reliability should be performed according to the standards [2-4, 15]
and[18].For chimneys, the most important parameter is the reliability class (RC), for tanks it
is aconsequence class (CC). Two parameters must be taken into account for silos, i.e. an action
assessment class (AAC) and a consequence class (CC). These classes are very important
for the values of safety factors of actions and sets of their combinations (for chimneys
andsilos)and serviceability limit states (for chimneys), for the choice of method of structural

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analysis (for tanks and silos). The method of classifying structures as well as the results
ofthequalifications are presented in Tables 2-9 for different shell structures.
Ta b l e 2
Reliability differentiation for chimneys [2]
Reliability class

Definition

Chimneys built in open countryside whose failure would not cause injury.
Chimneys less than 16 m high in unmanned sites.

Al1 normal chimneys at industrial sites or other locations that cannot be

defined as class 1 or class 3.

Chimneys erected in strategic locations such as nuclear power plants or

indensely populated urban locations. Major chimneys in manned industrial
sites where the economic and social consequences of their failure would be
very high.
Ta b l e 3
Partial factors for permanent and variable actions [2] (for chimneys)

Type of effects

Reliability class

Permanent actions

Variable actions

1.0

1.2

unfavourable

1.1

1.4

1.2

1.6

favourable

1, 2, 3

1.0

0.0

1.0

1.0

Accidental situations

Ta b l e 4
Recommendations for maximum amplitudes of cross-wind vibrations [2]
(for chimneys)
Reliability class

Limits to cross-wind vibration amplitude

0.15 D

0.10 D

0.05 D

where:
D outer diameter.
Ta b l e 5
Reliability differentiation for tanks [4]
Reliability class

Definition

Agricultural tanks and tanks containing water.

Medium sized tanks with flammable or water-polluting liquids located

inurban areas.

Tanks storing liquids or liquefied gases with toxic or explosive potential and
large tanks with flammable or water-polluting liquids located in urban areas.

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Ta b l e 6
Methods of analysis for tanks [4]
Consequence class

Circular shell tank structure

Rectangular box tank structure

Membrane theory with simplified Static equilibrium for membrane

formulas to describe local bending forces and beam theory for bending
effects

Membrane theory with bending An analysis based on linear plate

theory
bending and stretching theory
or
numerical analysis (FEM)

Numerical analysis (FEM)

An analysis based on nonlinear plate

bending and stretching theory
Ta b l e 7

Reliability differentiation for actions in silos [18]

Action assessment class

Definition

Silos with a capacity below 100 tons.

All silos covered by standard [18] and not placed class in 1 or 3.

Silos with a capacity in excess of 10 000 tons

or
silos with a capacity in excess of 1000 tons in which any of the following
design situations occur:
a) eccentric discharge with e0/dc > 0.25
b) squat silos with top surface eccentricity with et /dc > 0.25

Generally, for the higher number of action assessment class, the higher values of actions
are used. Additionally, more complicated cases of combinations of actions must be analysed.
Ta b l e 8
Reliability differentiation for silos [3]
Consequence
class

Definition

Silos with capacity between 10 and 100 tons.

All silos covered by standard [3] and not placed in class 1 or 3.

Ground supported silos or silos supported on a complete skirt extending to the

ground with capacity in excess of 5000 tons
or
discretely supported silos with capacity in excess of 1000 tons
or
silos with capacity in excess of 200 tons in which any of the following design
situations occur:
a) eccentric discharge
b) local patch loading
b) unsymmetrical filling

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Ta b l e 9
Methods of analysis for silos [3]
Consequence class

Circular shell silos structure

Rectangular box silos structure

Membrane theory with simplified Static equilibrium for membrane

formulas to describe local bending forces and beam theory for bending
effects

Membrane theory with bending An analysis based on linear plate

theory
bending and stretching theory
or
numerical analysis (FEM)

Numerical analysis (FEM)

An analysis based on nonlinear plate

bending and stretching theory

3. Shell structures in general

Standard [1] defines four basic limit states for steel shell structures and shows the methods
that should be used in order to determine the values of stresses and cross-sectional forces
inthe given state according to the pattern outlined in Table 10.
T a b l e 10
Methods (models) of analysis for each limit states of shells [1]
Limit state (name)

Method (model) of analysis

LS1
(plastic limit state)

Linear elastic analysis (LA), materially nonlinear analysis (MNA),

geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis (GMNA)

LS2
(cyclic plasticity limit state)

Analysis LA or GNA, materially nonlinear analysis MNA or GMNA

LS3
(buckling limit state)

Analysis LA, linear elastic bifurcation analysis (LBA), materially

nonlinear analysis MNA, geometrically and materially nonlinear
analysis with imperfections GMNIA

LS4
(fatigue limit state)

Analysis LA or GNA with coefficients of stress concentration

In the above mentioned standards conditions for dimensioning the shell are specified
inaccordance with the used method of analysis for the chosen limit state. For instance, in the
state LS1 (plastic limit) the following condition should be fulfilled:

Ed f yk / m 0

where:
sEd design value of a component of stress tensor or equivalent stress,
fyk characteristic value of yield strength,
gM0 = 1.0,

(2)

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while in the state LS3:
Ed f yk / m1

(3)

where:
c coefficient of instability.
gM1 = 1.0.
Acceptable types of analysis for shell structures are presented in detail in Table 11.
T a b l e 11
Types of analysis for shell structures [1]
Types of analysis

Deformations

se

Imperfections

Linear elastic shell analysis (LA)

Small

Linear

No

Linear elastic bifurcation analysis (LBA)

Small

Linear

No

Geometrically nonlinear elastic analysis (GNA)

Large

Linear

No

Materially nonlinear analysis (MNA)

Small

Nonlinear

No

Geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis

(GMNA)

Large

Nonlinear

No

Geometrically nonlinear elastic analysis with

imperfections included (GNIA)

Large

Linear

Yes

Geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis

with imperfections included (GMNIA)

Large

Nonlinear

Yes

The choice of the appropriate calculation method for a given type of structure is made
in accordance with the corresponding standard for silos and tanks with respect to the
consequence class which in turn depends on the geometry of the structure and the conditions
of its exploitation [3, 4]. In the case of chimneys [2], the method of analysis depends on the
class of cross-section. Here, for classes 13 the shell is considered to be like a generalised
beam with bending effects and possibly taking the II-range effects into account, whereas
cross-sections of class 4 are treated like shells with use of a linear analysis LA.
4. Design examples of shell structures
Three structures are presented here for example: a steel chimney [19], a silo [20],
atank [21]. Views of structures and the results of FEM static analysis for these structures
are presented in the tables and figures below. These were recommended to be published
infullin[19].

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T a b l e 12
Characteristics of analysed structures
Structure

Consequence
class

Thickness
[mm]

Grade
ofsteel

FEM shell
elements

Chimney in an electric power station

CC2

1020

1.4401
stainless steel

Four-nodes

Silo constructed from flat sheets

CC2

612

S355

Four-nodes

Tank for storage of ammonia water

CC3

1.4301
stainless steel

Four-nodes

Fig. 2. Schemes of analysed structures: a) chimney, b) silo, c) tank

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Fig. 3. Example design results for the chimney 80m high chimney for the pressure of wind
velocity: sHMH [kPa], meridional stresses (left), circumferential stresses (right),
LAanalysis, (Algor [22])
T a b l e 13
Results FEM for chimney
Limit state (condition)

Check

LS1 (1)

0.220 < 1.0

LS3 (2)

0.760 < 1.0

Fig. 4. Silo for wheat, FEM results, displacements ux (left), general displacements (right) [cm],
LAanalysis, (Robot [23])

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Fig. 5. Comparison of results from LA analysis (left )and GMNA analysis (rigth);
dead weight, sHMH [MPa]
T a b l e 14
Results FEM for silo
Limit state (condition)

Check

LS1 (1)

0.277 <1.0

LS3 (2)

0.907 < 1.0

Fig. 6. Results of calculations (Algor [22]) for the most disadvantageous equivalent stress,
LAanalysis, [kPa]

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T a b l e 15
Results FEM for tank
Limit state (condition)

Check

LS1 (1)

0.723 < 1.0

LS3 (2)

0.095 < 1.0

Safety factors: for ammonia water gF = 1.40, other live loads gF = 1.50, for dead weight
gF=1.35, gM0 = 1.10, gM2 = gM5 = 1.25, gR = 1.05, kFi = 1.10 (factor for actions for RC3).
5. Summary
The three design examples of special steel structures constructed from sheets with the
cross-sections which are shells of revolution are presented. A uniform approach to assessing
the reliability of the structures was adopted. The wind load was calculated according to
Eurocode [14] in order that it provides the largest values for all the different standards. In all
cases, the FEM as well as the algorithm described in standard [1] were effectively used for
the analysis of the stress state (effort) and displacements of the shells.
References
[1] EN 1993-1-6:2007 Design of steel structures - Strength and stability of shell structures.
[2] EN 1993-3-2:2006 EN 1993-3-2:2006 Design of steel structures Towers, masts and chimneys
Chimneys.
[3] EN 1993-4-1:2007 Design of steel structures - Silos.
[4] EN 1993-4-2:2009 Design of steel structures - Tanks.
[5] PN-93/B-03201 Steel structures - Chimneys - Static calculations and design (in Polish).
[6] PN-B-03202:1996 Steel structures - Silos for bulk materials - Static calculations and design
(inPolish).
[7] PN-B-03210:1997 Steel structures - Vertical cylindrical tanks for liquids - Design and erection
(in Polish).
[8] Rykaluk K., Steel structures, chimneys, towers, masts, Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wro
cawskiej, Wrocaw 2005 (in Polish).
[9] Meller M., Pacek M., Industrial chimneys, Wydawnictwo Politechniki Koszaliskiej, Koszalin
2001 (in Polish).
[10] Ziko J., Wodarczyk W., Mendera Z., Wodarczyk S., Special steel structures, Arkady, War
szawa 1995 (in Polish).
[11] Ziko J., Metal tanks for liquids and gases, Warszawa 1986 (in Polish).
[12] PN -77/B-02011 Static load calculations - Wind actions (in Polish).
[13] Rykaluk K., The wind load of steel towers, Inynieria i Budownictwo 10/2003, 557-559
(inPolish).
[14] EN 1991-1-4:2005 Actions on structures - General actions - wind actions.
[15] EN 1990:2002 Basis of structural design.
[16] ECCS, Buckling of steel shells. European Design Recommendations, 5th edition, 2008.

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[17] Rotter M., Guide for the economic design of circular metal silos, Spon Press, London 2001.
[18] EN 1991-4:2006 Actions on structures - Silos and takns.
[19] Piekarczyk M., Michaowski T., Kowalczyk D., Examples of design steel shell structures
according to Eurocodes, proc. of Conference ZK 2014 Metal Structures, Kielce University
ofTechnology, 147-150 (in Polish).
[20] Kowalczyk D., Design of steel silo with flat sheets, made in consequence classes CC2, Master
thesis, thesis supervisor T. Domaski, Politechnika Krakowska, Krakw 2013 (in Polish).
[21] Gwd M., Michaowski T., Basis of reliability of welded steel tanks for liquids and liquefied
gases, Przegld spawalnictwa, 3/2012, 3-10 (in Polish).
[22] Bazik-Borowa E. et al., Examples of solutions of structural mechanics problems using a system
Algor, IZT, Lublin 2000 (in Polish).
[23] Pazdanowski M., Calculation program Robot in examples, CUT, Krakw 2011 (in Polish).