Effect of cladding/insulation on wind loading of a tank

[carlostech]

Hello everyone,

Just doing some engineering analysis on the stresses incurred by wind loads on a tank with insulation. Was just wondering whether the insulation on the tank suppresses the stresses on the tank from wind loading or increases it. My guess is that instead of the de ovalling the tank itself, the wind loads would cause the insulation layer to deform creating a kind of cushion effect and hence, protecting the oval shape of the tank. Any help would be appreciated.

kind regards

[Nabilia]

It would greatly depend on the surface profile of the insulation. Most insulations are not smooth, thereby increasing the wind resistance and stresses on the structure