Failure analysis of a 4000000 litre overhead tank resting on sloping ground

A project was undertaken to conduct a post-failure analysis of a 4000000 Liters Overhead Tank resting on a sloping ground.

The 3D FEM model of the complete structure was constructed. The structure was analyzed for a range of Dead Loads, Live Loads, Wind Loads and Seismic Loads.

It was also analyzed for support settlement. It was determined that the maximum vertical deflection of any single column before failure of the entire structure was about 3mm. However, due to ground settlement in excess of 3mm the structure underwent catastrophic failure.