Reliability assessment with justification of limiting the maximum filling level of vertical steel tanks made of St3 steel in Arctic and subarctic conditions
Authors
Albert V. Grigorev
Institute of Physical and Technical Problems of the North named after V. P. Larionov, 677980, Yakutsk, Oktyabrskaya str., 1
How to cite
GOSTGrigorev A. V. Reliability assessment with justification of limiting the maximum filling level of vertical steel tanks made of St3 steel in Arctic and subarctic conditions // STROITEL'NYE I DOROZHNYE MASHINY. 2025. Vol. 69. No. 12. P. 145-151.
APAGrigorev, A. V. (2025). Reliability assessment with justification of limiting the maximum filling level of vertical steel tanks made of St3 steel in Arctic and subarctic conditions. STROITEL'NYE I DOROZHNYE MASHINY, 69(12), 145-151.
Abstract
The article analyzes the risks of operating vertical steel tanks made of St3 steel under low climatic temperatures typical of the Arctic and subarctic. The main focus is on brittle fracture of the material at negative temperatures and on the danger of exceeding the calculated filling level (maximum filling) in winter. It is shown that St3 steel has low cold resistance: below −20°C its impact toughness decreases sharply, and at −40°C the material transitions to fully brittle fracture. Together with stress concentrators (welds, heat-affected zones, various defects and nonmetallic inclusions), residual welding stresses, and additional thermal stresses caused by temperature differences, operation at low temperatures becomes extremely hazardous. Based on an analysis of the stress–strain state of the tank wall, a method for calculating the allowable maximum filling level is proposed, taking into account the critical brittleness temperature of the specific steel, the ambient operating temperature, and the structural condition. The method introduces a load-carrying capacity reduction factor that depends on the degree of embrittlement. To ensure safety, a set of measures is recommended: establishing a temperature restriction for operation (below −40°C), developing individual operating regulations, and strengthening non-destructive inspection of welded joints. The paper emphasizes the need to formalize calculation methods in regulations and to strengthen control to prevent accidents at oil and gas facilities in the Far North.
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