Abstract: With the large-scale development of refined oil storage tanks, adopting spatial reticulated hell structures as the tank dome is becoming an inevitable trend. Although reticulated shell structures have mature theory and design experience in the field of architecture, there are still many technical problems about its application in large storage tanks. The advantages and disadvantages of existing large reticulated shell structures are analyzed and compared and the selection opinions of grid type, bar section and node form are given against the structural features of large storage tanks with a reticulated shell. In order to improve the connection security of the reticulated shell and lower tank body, a new bearing structure is proposed which is applicable for large storage tanks with a reticulated shell. The calculation method for overall stability of reticulated shell dome is discussed, the critical buckling load will be calculated by the method of whole process analysis of load-displacement considering geometric nonlinearity, and the influence of lower tank body, different constraint conditions and installation deviations on the stability capacity of a reticulated shell dome. Moreover, a 50 000 m3 large storage tank with a reticulated shell is used as an example to conduct case analysis according to related standards, such as JGJ7-2010 Technical specification for space frame structures, which verities that relevant specifications are also applicable for tank reticulated shells.

Key words: design of a bearing structure, large storage tanks with a reticulated shell, stability of reticulated shells, type selection of reticulated shells