API Std 650 10th Ed. Add.3 - Seismic design of storage tanks
Seismic zone factor Z
The seismic zone factor (horizontal seismic acceleration) is determined by the purchaser or the appropriate government
authority that has jurisdiction.
The seismic zone maps of Figure E-1 in the standard, the seismic zone tabulation for areas outside the United States
(see Table E-1 below), or the Supplement to National Building Code of Canada may be used as an aid to determine
the seismic zone. Table E-2 below can be used to determine the seismic zone factor, Z.
Table E-1 - Seismic Zone Tabulation for Areas Outside the United States
| Asia | Turkey | Ankara | 2B |
| Karamursel | 3 | ||
| Atlantic Ocean area | Azores | 2B | |
| Bermuda | 1 | ||
| Caribbean | Bahama Islands | 1 | |
| Canal Zone | 2B | ||
| Leeward Islands | 3 | ||
| Puerto Rico | 3 | ||
| Trinidad Island | 2B | ||
| North America | Greenland | 1 | |
| North America | Iceland | Keflavik | 3 |
| Pacific Ocean area | Caroline Islands | Koror,Paulau | 2B |
| Ponape | 0 | ||
| Johnston Island | 1 | ||
| Kwajalein | 1 | ||
| Mariana Island | Guam | 3 | |
| Saipan | 3 | ||
| Tinain | 3 | ||
| Marcus Island | 1 | ||
| Okinawa | 3 | ||
| Philippine Islands | 3 | ||
| Samoa Islands | 3 | ||
| Wake Island | 0 |
Table E-2 - Seismic Zone Factor (horizontal acceleration)
| Seismic Factor | Seismic Zone Factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.075 |
| 2A | 0.15 |
| 2B | 0.20 |
| 3 | 0.30 |
| 4 | 0.40 |
Importance Factor I
I=1.0 for all tanks unless a larger importance factor is specified by the purchaser.
The I factor should not exceed 1.25, and this maximum value should be applied only to tanks
that must provide emergency post-earthquake service or to tanks that store toxic or explosive substances in areas where
an accidental release of product would be considered to be dangerous to the safety of the general public.
Table E-3 - Site Coefficients (See Note)
| Type | Description | S Factor |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | A soil profile with either a) a rock-like material characterized by a shear wave velocity greater than 760 m/sec (2500 ft/sec) or by other suitable means of classification or b) stiff or dense soil conditions where the soil depth is less than 60 m (200 ft) | 1.0 |
| S2 | A soil profile with stiff or dense soil conditions where the soil depth exceeds 60 m (200 ft) | 1.2 |
| S3 | A soil profile 12 m (40 ft) or more in depth containing more than 6 m (20 ft) of soft to medium stiff clay but more than 12 m (40 ft) of soft clay | 1.5 |
| S4 | A soil profile containing more than 12 m (40 ft) of soft clay | 2.0 |
Note: The site factor shall be established from properly substantiated geotechnical
data. In locations where the soil properties are not known in sufficient detail to determine the soil profile type, soil
profile S3 shall be used. Soil profile S4
need not be assumed unless the building official determines that soil profile S4
may be present at the site or in the event that soil profile S4
is established by geotechnical data.