Column Moments in Eccentrically Supported Tanks

Elevated tanks are frequently supported on a series of equispaced columns that are directly attached to the shell wall. The connection of the column to the shell wall is often eccentric with respect to the middle surface of the shell. The purpose of this note is to present a method whereby the equilibrated moment in the connection is evaluated by considering the relative stiffness of the columns and the shell wall. A case study of a steel tank filled with water is considered.