Impact of Height and Volume on the Seismic Reduction Coefficient for Elevated Tanks in Loreto: A Proposal for the Peruvian Standard E.030

Abstract

The Loreto region of Peru faces a severe crisis in access to drinking water, with a large part of the population without adequate supply. Elevated tanks are a common solution, but present significant structural challenges in a seismically active area. The Peruvian standard E.030 does not specify a seismic reduction coefficient (R) for these tanks, leading to the use of foreign standards that do not fit local conditions. This increases the risk of structural failure, especially in inverted pendulum type geometry tanks, which endangers the safety and functionality of the water supply. This study proposes a new equation to estimate the most appropriate seismic reduction coefficient according to the height of the tank, taking into account the seismic conditions in Loreto. Simulations of seismic loads were carried out using the pushover method, evaluating the structural behaviour of 63 elevated tank models. The results show that as the tank height increases, the seismic reduction factor decreases, indicating a lower capacity of the structure to dissipate seismic loads. Models with larger volumes and heights exhibit more plastic behaviour, while smaller and stiffer tanks have lower ductility and reduction factor. The proposed equation, with a linear regression of the form y = - 0.064X + 9.598, provides an accurate tool to adjust the seismic reduction coefficient as a function of tank height. This proposal can be incorporated into the E.030 standard, improving the seismic design of elevated tanks in Loreto and other seismically active regions, and reducing the risk of structural failure during seismic events, ensuring a safer and more sustainable water supply.