Determine the dimensions of the tank:
A conical water tank is to be fabricated from steel plate of 10 mm thickness. The shell should contain an apex angle (α) 15o. If the permissible tensile stress is 140 N/mm2, determine the dimensions of the tank.
Solution
Unit weight of water, w = 9.81 × 10- 3 N/mm3.
Apex angle, α = 15o
Thickness, t = 10 mm
Permissible tensile stress, σn = 140 N/mm2
Therefore, we get 140 = wh2 tan α / 4t cos α
=9.81 × 10- 3 × h2 tan 15o / 4 × 0 × cos 15o
∴ h = 1434.5 mm
We know, r = h tan α = 1434.5 tan 15o = 384.4 mm. Base radius = 384.4 mm.