Estimating the weight of a tank can be important for seismic work, consideration of tank overturning during high winds, flooding and storms, or for cost estimating purposes. PEMY has run across the problem of obtaining tank weights so frequently that we developed our own Tank Weight Estimation Tool (TWET) that eliminates the need for detailed specifications, designs, and use of tank design software.
As an example, in preliminary design stages of a seismic analysis, it is difficult to determine whether a tank will comply with API 650 Annex E because not all of the components or details of the tank have been decided or designed; changes in the design will impact the weight of the tank, which can inhibit some designers from determining the seismic stability of tanks. This is where TWET comes in handy.
The tool only uses height and diameter as input variables. The output yields an approximation of the tank weight.