Vertical vessel foundations are often octagonal in shape as this

provides the most cost effective solution to a foundation which can

be loaded in any direction. While typical columns are only loaded in
two directions, a vertical vessel may have a large wind force
component which can act in any direction.
Three types of foundation are allowed to design for vertical vessel. They are octagonal footing on soil,
square pile cap and octagonal pile cap. Vertical vessel foundation design complies to:

 ASCE 7
 ACI 318
 PIP (Process Industry Practices) STE03350
 IS 456
 IS 1893 Part I
 IS 875 Part III

 Geometry page
 Used to input all the geometric parameters. STAAD Foundation Advanced can model both square
and octagonal footings for vertical vessels.

 Setting Description
Select the unit of length (this page only).
Unit
Foundation Select either Octagonal Foundationand Square foundation for the
Type vertical vessel.

Tip: For vessels larger than 5 ft. in diameter, an octagonal foundation is

typically more economical (this practice varies from user to user).

Foundation Select whether the foundation is to be supported on a Soil Foundation or

Support Type on a Pile Cap Foundation.

Note: If Pile Cap Foundation is selected, the Pile Cap Geometry page is
added to the wizard.

Vessel
Geometry Setting Description
group
The effective diameter is the diameter that will be used
Effective to calculate the wind pressure on the vessel.
Diameter
(Dve)
Effective The effective height is the effective height of the
Height (Hve) vessel that will be used to calculate the wind pressure
and the seismic effect on the vessel.

Pedestal
Geometry Setting Description
group
Input pedestal diameter which will be used for shear
Diameter (Dp) check and pedestal design (as shown in the input page
sketch).
Thickness (Tp) Height of the pedestal from top of footing (as shown
in the input page sketch)
Bottom Of Bottom of footing elevation is used for detail drawing
Footing purpose. Based on this input elevation at top of
Elevation concrete (T.O.C.), elevation at top of soil (T.O.S) and
(B.O.F) elevation at top of pedestal (T.O.P.) are displayed in
detail drawing.

Footing
Geometry Setting Description
group
(Octagonal type) Specify the range of sizes used for
Diameter checking in the design. The diameter is that of a circle
(Df) Min / on which the octagonal foundation is circumscribed in
Max plan. The minimum diameter is first checked in the
 Setting Description

design process. If it is not adequate, then subsequent

sizes are checked, up to the maximum diameter, until
the design reaches the safety limit.
Footing This input is for increment interval for width/ length or
Dimension diameter of the footing.
Increment
Length Min / (Square type) Specify the range of sizes used for
Max checking in the design. The minimum length is first
checked in the design process. If it is not adequate, then
subsequent sizes are checked, up to the maximum
length, until the design reaches the safety limit.
Height (Tf) Enter the minimum height which will be used in starting
Min / Max the design and will be checked up to the maximum
value until the design reaches the safety limit.

Overburden
and Buoyancy Setting Description
group
Depth of the water tables measured from the ground
Depth of level. This level is used to calculate buoyant force on
Water Table the footing.
(Dw)
Soil Depth Depth of soil above the foundation measured from the
(Ts) top face of the footing base. Soil depth is used to
calculate weight of soil over the footing

Anchor Bolt Geometry page

This page allows user to input their pedestal geometry and anchor bolt arrangement. If the pedestal
diameter required for anchor bolt arrangement is more than the given pedestal diameter, program will
automatically adjust pedestal diameter.

Note: STAAD Foundation Advanced does not design the anchor bolts.
Note: This page is based on PIP STE03350.
 Setting Description
Select the unit of length (this page only).
Unit
Bolt Circle Diameter Bolt circle diameter along which bolt will be placed
(BCD)
Number of Anchor Bolt Count of total anchor bolts. This parameter is used to calculate
(Nb) “An” as defined in appendix of PIP standard
Bolt Diameter (BD Nominal diameter of individual bolt. This parameter is used to
calculate “An” as defined in appendix of PIP standard.
Sleeve Diameter (SD) Nominal diameter of the anchor bolt sleeve.
Anchor Bolt Effective Nominal embedment of the anchor bolt.
Embedment Depth

Primary Load page

Used to input the primary loads (loads other than wind load and seismic load).
 Setting Description

Unit Select the input unit for vertical force, base shear and base moment; for this
page only.
For vertical vessels, the standard loaded conditions are:
Standard
Loads Empty condition
Operating condition
Test condition
Erection condition

Vertical (Axial) Force, Base Shear, and Base Moment may be entered for
each of these loading conditions.

Note: Sign conventions for the applied loads are explained in Primary Load
Cases page sketch. Applied load at top of the pedestal are calculated based
on PIP STE03350.

User Defined This table is used for entering non-standard loads. By default first load in
Load user defined load table is set to Live. More User defined load can be entered
in the same table.
 Wind Load Generation page
Used to input wind load parameters. There are two methods for specifying wind load on a vertical vessel:

 Directly input the shear force & moment values

 The program can calculate those values using ASCE 7-2005 (US) or IS-875 III (Indian). The inputs are
described in the page, along with code section and/or table numbers for reference.

Setting Description

Partial This value represents percentage of full wind speed used in case of test load
Wind Case or erection load combination. As probability of getting full wind speed while
% test is being carried out is very low.

Time Period page

Inputs in this page are basically required for wind load and seismic load calculation according to ASCE 7-
05. There are three ways to enter/calculate time period:

 Direct Input
 Mass Table
 Program Calculated
 Setting Description
Select the method you want to use for determining the time
Time Period period.
Calculation

Seismic Load Generation page

Used to input seismic load data—either directly or by parameters which the program will then use to
calculate code-specified seismic loads. The following codes are supported:

 ASCE 7-2005 (US)

 IS-1893 Part 1 (Indian)
 Seismic Load Generation calculation

 Directly Input Seismic Loads - specify values for shear force and moment
 Mass Table C.G. - (US code only) If mass data has been entered in the Time Period page for the
calculation of the vessel's fundamental period, that data can also be used by the program to determine
the center of gravity.
 User Defined C.G. - Specify the center of gravity of the vertical vessel.

Directly Input Seismic Loads

Depending on the load combination, operating seismic or empty seismic will be taken into consideration.

Setting Description

Operating Seismic Load seismic load subjected at top of pedestal for operating conditions.

Empty Seismic Load seismic load subjected at top of pedestal for empty conditions.
 Setting Description

Mass Table C.G. - US Code

The program will calculate seismic loads per ASCE 7-2005 for you. You have the option to use database
mapped acceleration values based on Zip code or to specify values directly.

 Select using Zip Code- Populates the Select Zip combo box with all U.S. zip codes. Choosing any one of
them will (or simply type in the value to select faster) will selected mapped acceleration values for that
geographic location.
 Enter Value Manually- Specify values for S1 and Ss in the respective fields.

Setting Description

City / Latitude / Longitude (non editable) Displayed for the specified zip code to verify location.

S1 / Ss The 1-second and short period acceleration values from ASCE 7 maps.

Value of Fa and Fv, which are functions of Site Class and

Site Class mapped acceleration values.

Note: If Site Class is selected as F, Fa and Fv may be entered

manually.

Response Modification Select the response modification factor (either 2 or 3).

Factor (R)

Occupancy Importance Select the importance factor for the structure (1.00, 1.25, or 1.50)
Factor (I)

User Defined C.G. - Indian Code

The program will calculate the seismic loads per IS-1893 Part 1 for you. You have the option to select a
mapped acceleration value based on a Indian city or to specify values directly.
 Setting Description

Seismic Zone Selection Set the option to either Select City from a list of Indian cities or Enter
Value Manually to select the Zone (Z) from a list.

Average Response Set the option to either Select Soil Type from a list of soil descriptions
Acceleration Coefficient or Enter Value Manually to type the Sa/g value directly.

Response Reduction Factor Select the reduction factor from the list as defined in Table 7 of IS
(R) 1893 Part 1.

Importance Factor (I) Select the importance factor from the list as defined in Table 6 of IS
1893 Part 1.

User Defined C.G.

Setting Description

Specify the center of gravity of the vertical vessel above the finished surface,
C.G. of in the selected units.
Vessel

Load Combination page

Used to generate combinations of primary load cases for use in analysis and design.

Two types of load combinations are used:

 Service Load Combination (i.e., allowable loads)

 Ultimate Load Combination

You can create any number of load combinations.

 Setting Description

Load Combination Select either of the two code specified load combinations or
Table input your own.

ASCE 7-05
PIP STC01015
User defined

Update Table Default load combinations are saved in external data files
(ACILOAD.INI files). Clicking the Update Table button saves
any changes made to the associated table to the file as a default.
Otherwise, any changes are saved in the active project file only.
Delete Removes the selected row (load combination) from the
associated table.
Note: To delete any combination from the default list (kept in an
external .INI file) you need to click the Update Table button
after deleting.
 Setting Description
Allowable Load Each row in a table represents the ID for a different load
Combination and combination.
Ultimate Load
Combination tables LC No. – The Load Case number used to identify the load case.
You can type a value or use the default. For service load
combinations, the default starts with 101 and for ultimate load
combinations, the default starts with 201.
Check Box - Set the check boxes of the combinations that you
want to use.
SWF - The self-weight modification factor this combination
which can be used to control the percent of foundation self
weight considered in concrete checks.
SBF - The soil bearing factor which can be used to increase the
soil bearing capacity (e.g., for seismic or wind loads).
Load Type columns - Primary Load cases are assigned a load
type, each of which is represented by a separate column in the
load combination tables. Type the load combination factor for a
given load type in the cell.

Tip: The cell with zero values appears in gray color where as
with values other than zero it appears in blue.

To add a new load combination to the table, add factors to the

last (empty) row.

Note: To add or change any combination from the default list

(kept in an external .INI file) you need to click the Update
Table button after making changes.

Design Parameters page

Design parameter is grouped under three categories. They are Material Density, Bearing and Stability and
Concrete Design Parameters
 Setting Description

Water Density Density of water with unit to use for a Buoyancy Check, in the
selected units.

Buoyancy Check Select this option to have the program perform a check for
buoyancy.

Concrete Density Specify a density to be used for concrete (w ), in the selected

C

units.

Soil Density Density of soil supporting the foundation, in the selected units.

Allowable Bearing Value of allowable bearing pressure used for design, in the
Pressure selected units.

Minimum Stability Value of minimum stability ratio used for design.

ratio

Bar Type Types of bar used for the design (e.g. Imperial or Metric).
 Setting Description

Cover Value of clear cover, in the selected units.

Fc Specify the ultimate strength of the concrete (f' ), in the selected

c

units.

Fy Specify the yield strength of steel reinforcing bars (f ), in the

y

selected units.

Minimum / Maximum Select the minimum and maximum allowed reinforcing bar sizes
Bar Dia to be used in the design.

Pile Cap Geometry page

Used to define Pile Cap geometry and individual pile data. When the Pile Cap Foundation option is
selected on the Geometry page, this page is added to the wizard.
 Setting Description

Unit Choose Units for force and length, these units are only applicable to Pile
Cap Geometry Page.

Minimum
Pile cap
Depth
Specify the lateral capacity of a pile.
Lateral
Vertical Specify the vertical capacity of a pile.
Uplift Specify the uplifting capacity of a pile.
Dia Diameter of a pile.
Edge The Edge Distance field allows you to specify the distance between the
edges of a pile.
Pile Data Type values for Lateral, Uplift, Vertical capacities of pile from
group geotechnical report.
Arrangement Pile arrangement can be either rectangular or circular. Pile cap having
Type circular arrangement will be design as octagonal pile cap. For octagonal
foundation, pile arrangement is automatically set as circular.

Rectangular arrangement needs following inputs,

Number of Rows - Usually for vertical vessel foundation, pile cap is kept
as square pile cap. To do so, enter same number of rows and column with
same row and column spacing.
Number of Columns
Row Spacing
Column Spacing

By default program will create symmetric pile arrangement from the above
input but user can change the default setup by editing the table below. Both
row and column grid lines can be adjusted by selecting appropriate radio
button.

Circular arrangement needs following inputs as shown below.

Number of Piles – Total number of piles, excluding the center pile (if
option is selected).
Number of Layers – Number of concentric circles in the circular
arrangement.
Pile Spacing – Minimum spacing between piles
Use Center Pile – Select this option to add a pile at center of pile
 Setting Description
arrangement.

By default, program will try to assign equal number of piles for all
concentric circular layers. The arrangement can be edited using the table
below.
Create Pile Creates the pile layout and opens a dialog box to display the pile
Arrangement coordinates table and a figure.

Note: Pile coordinates in this table are editable.

Delete Row - Click to delete the current row from the pile coordinate table
and figure.
Select Once a satisfactory pile layout has been found, click the Select Current
Arrangement Arrangement button to select and apply that layout.

The program will check the pile reaction against pile capacity to make sure
pile reactions do not exceed pile capacity values.
Show Pile The Show Pile Reactions button opens a table displaying the reaction on
Reactions each pile. The figure below shows the pile reaction table.
 Setting Description

Note: To get the pile reaction, the file needs to be run once. Once you have
designed the Vertical Vessel Foundation job, select Vertical Vessel
Footing > Edit to return to this page to view the Pile Reaction table.

spacing type Once a pile arrangement is started, the table displays the spacing for each
and table row, column, layer, or circumference; depending on what arrangement type
and table spacing type is selected.

Vertical Vessel Foundation Design

Download Sample Report Open Calculation
User Manual
The scope of this calculation module (ECVERVES) is to analysis and design of a
vertical vessel foundation with single or multiple pedestals for Serviceability (SLS)
and Ultimate (ULS) load combinations. Bearing pressure and stability checks are
carried out for serviceability loads. Pad (footing) and pedestal reinforcements are
checked for ultimate loads.
 ECVERVES application is used to design pedestal (square, circle and octagon) and
footing (square, rectangle, circle and octagon) with different shapes. For multiple
pedestal options, pedestal shape restricted to square only.

Standards: British, European and American.

Features

 This program needs a very limited available information from the user at any stage
of the Project Phases (Proposal or FEED or Detail Engineering or EPC Phases of
the Project) to design foundations.

 The vertical vessel foundation analysis and design can be done by following options,

 Single pedestal with all footing shapes (square, rectangle, circle and octagon).

 Multi pedestal with square or rectangular footing.

 The user input loads are guided by predefined input field as defined in User
Interface Input with a provision for eccentric loads and moments as recommended
by PIP.

 The total equipment load inputs are automatically distributed to pedestal for multiple
pedestals by program.

 Wind and Seismic load calculation are calculated automatically by the program
based on selection of country code for the design.

 Wind and Seismic load (shear and moment) calculation are also entered manually
based on input by the User or Vendor.

 Wind and Seismic loads can be used by Program simultaneously using by

User/Vendor option as well by the Program Option to compare both values and
design without any compromise on the quality of input from the Vendors.

 Automatic multiple Load Combination are generated by program based on selection

of country code for the design.

 Additional load combinations are also automatically generated by program based on

the percentage of increase in empty, operating and test weight. It means that as per
user selection of country code, a list of basic load combinations for original loads
and one more set of load combinations for the increased loads. Based on this
 opportunity, the program will define critical load combination without any
ambiguity/confusion.

 A provision to specify minimum soil cover is available in case full soil cover cannot
be guaranteed due to any expected adjacent excavations.

 Ground water table buoyancy effect on stability and design is available.

 User can specify the allowable stability factors and increase or decrease in SBC
(Test, Wind and Seismic).

 Loads and Load Combinations can be easily imported from Microsoft Excel through
clipboard facility.

 Crack width for pad at top and bottom is checked as an option for each
serviceability combinations.

 Facility to check the anchorage capacity and interaction ratio for anchor bolts.

 Comprehensive design report and summary results. A step-by-step design

calculation report eliminates any requirements for additional validation of the
calculation.

Design Considerations

 Loads on the pedestal for multiple pedestal case, automatically calculated by

program based on the location of pedestals.
 Self-weight of soil, pad and pedestal is considered by program. Dead Load Factor
is used as self-weight factor
 Un-factored and factored loads on each pedestal location is calculated based on the
SLS and ULS combinations.
 Stability factors (overturning, sliding, uplift and SBC) for each load combination
are compared with allowable factors (generated by program).
 Pad section crack width is checked for service moment at critical location of pad
on two faces (top and bottom) in both directions.
 Moment capacity adequacy is checked for both directions and top and bottom with
critical ULS combination.
 One-way shear (Wide Beam Shear) is computed at “d” distance from pedestal face
of each location in both directions. Critical ULS combination and location
reported.
 Two-way shear (punching shear) is checked at recommended distance based on the
design standard. For British, column face with maximum allowable shear stress
and at ”1.5d” distance from pedestal face against concrete shear capacity. For
European and American at ”2.0 d” distance and ”0.5 d” distance from pedestal face
against concrete shear capacity respectively.
  For both pedestals, axial load and biaxial moment capacity compared with design
load and moment of each ULS combinations.
 `Pedestal tie spacing is computed based on the total lateral force over the section
compared with maximum allowable spacing.

National Standards Available

British Standard

Euro Standard

 National Annex of several countries such as Europe (Recommended), UK, Finland,

Ireland, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, Sweden are considered.
 Additionally, an option is provided to define the coefficients directly by the user.

American Standard

 The calculation allows the user to design the section in both Imperial and metric units.

References

 BS 8110-1:1997 – Structural use of concrete – Part 1: Code of practice for design

and construction.
 EN1992-1-1:2004 - Design of concrete structures - Part 1-1: General rules and
rules for buildings.
 ACI 318-14 - Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.
 ACI-224R-01 – Control of Cracking in Concrete Structures.