Storage Tank Engineering: Practical API 650 Tank Design Services for Australian Conditions
At Trang Imagineering, storage tank engineering is not treated as a theoretical exercise or a box-ticking compliance task. It is a practical engineering discipline that sits at the intersection of structural mechanics, constructability, site conditions, and long-term asset performance.
From early-stage feasibility through to detailed design and construction support, our tank design services focus on delivering safe, buildable, and cost-effective atmospheric storage tank design solutions in accordance with API 650 and relevant Australian standards.
What Is Storage Tank Engineering?
Storage tank engineering covers the structural and mechanical design of above-ground steel tanks used to store liquids at or near atmospheric pressure. These tanks are commonly used for:
Water and fire-water storage
Fuel and hydrocarbon products
Process liquids
Agricultural and industrial liquids
Unlike pressure vessels, atmospheric tanks rely heavily on shell stability, bottom design, foundation behaviour, and environmental load resistance. Poor integration of these elements is one of the most common causes of tank distress, settlement issues, and costly retrofits.
This is where experienced steel tank engineering becomes critical.
Atmospheric Storage Tank Design to API 650
API 650 is the dominant international standard for the design and construction of welded steel tanks for oil storage and other liquid service. Effective atmospheric storage tank design under API 650 requires more than simply sizing shell thicknesses.
Our approach addresses the full scope of API 650, including:
Shell Design and Course Optimisation
Variable-design-point method
One-foot method
Optimised shell course thicknesses to balance material and fabrication cost
Bottom and Foundation Interface
Bottom plate thickness and annular ring requirements
Settlement sensitivity and bottom stress management
Coordination with civil and geotechnical inputs
Roof Systems
Fixed cone roofs
Structural support checks
Snow, live, and maintenance load considerations
Wind and Seismic Design
API 650 Annex E (Seismic)
API 650 Annex V (Wind)
Sloshing effects and anchorage requirements
Local Load and Nozzle Design
Shell penetrations
Local stress checks
Practical reinforcement detailing
This integrated approach ensures that the tank design services extend beyond compliance and into real-world operability and durability.
Steel Tank Engineering Beyond the Code Minimum
While API 650 establishes minimum requirements, effective steel tank engineering requires judgement — particularly when tanks are installed in non-ideal conditions.
We regularly assist clients with:
Non-standard tank geometries
Brownfield tank modifications and upgrades
Tank re-rating and life-extension assessments
Foundation-driven redesigns
Construction issue resolution and technical queries
By combining first-principles structural analysis with API-based checks, we help owners and EPCs avoid conservative over-design while maintaining regulatory confidence.
When to Engage Tank Design Services Early
Engaging tank design services early in a project often results in:
Reduced steel tonnage
Fewer construction RFIs
Lower risk of settlement-related issues
Clearer scope definition for fabricators and builders
Early engineering input is especially valuable when tanks are installed on variable ground conditions, remote sites, or within constrained footprints — all common scenarios in Australian projects.
Why Choose Trang Imagineering for Storage Tank Engineering?
Our tank projects benefit from:
Deep experience in API 650 atmospheric storage tank design
Strong integration between structural, mechanical, and civil considerations
Practical, fabrication-aware detailing
Clear documentation suitable for regulators, auditors, and constructors
We support clients across mining, agriculture, industrial processing, and infrastructure sectors — delivering steel tank engineering solutions that are robust, defensible, and efficient.
Talk to Us About Your Tank Project
If you are planning a new tank installation, upgrading an existing asset, or need independent engineering support, our storage tank engineering team can help.
Get in touch with Trang Imagineering to discuss tank design services tailored to your project, site conditions, and operational requirements.