1. Reference problem

1.1. Geometry

We consider a square concrete tank with dimensions \(L\mathrm{\times }l\mathrm{\times }h\mathrm{=}10m\mathrm{\times }10m\mathrm{\times }5m\) (medium to medium sheet) and \(0.4m\) thickness.

1.2. Material properties

Isotropic linear elastic material:

Young’s module: \(E\mathrm{=}{3.10}^{4}\mathit{MPa}\),

Poisson’s ratio: \(\nu \mathrm{=}0.15\),

Density: \(\mu \mathrm{=}2500\mathit{kg}\mathrm{/}{m}^{3}\).

1.3. Boundary conditions and loads

The soil stiffness density applied under the tank is \(50\mathit{kN}\mathrm{/}{m}^{3}\).

The integral of this density based on the tank is therefore \(5{10}^{6}\mathit{kN}\mathrm{/}m\).

This quantity is then distributed over the nodes in the base.

The load consists of:

• the net weight of the tank

• the thrust of the water from the filled tank (constant pressure on the bottom and gradual pressure on the edges)

• an overload distributed around the outline at the top of the tank (\(20\mathit{kN}\mathrm{/}m\))