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How to Calculate FRP Tank Strength

Fiberglass Reinforced Thermoset Plastic, or FRP, is primarily used for industrial applications. Fiberglass is used for underground storage of harmful or corrosive materials that could damage metal containers eventually seeping out into the surrounding area where they could cause harm to the environment. The thickness and strength needed for the fiberglass container depends on factors such as the type of material being stored, the size of the load and the shape of the container.

Instructions

- 1
  Establish strength for sustained loads. Reinforce pressure design thickness equals (internal design gauge pressure times outside diameter of pipe) divided by (2 times the stress value for material times the quality factor).
- 2
  Determine the strength for laminated FRP. Total wall thickness equals (total internal pressure times inside diameter) divided by [(2 times the ultimate hoop tensile strength) divided by design factor = 10.0].
- 3
  Calculate external pressure. Allowable external pressure, bar equals {20 times modulus of elasticity of the laminate, MPa times [design thickness of the reference laminate, mm divided by internal diameter, mm plus (2 times design thickness of the reference laminate, mm) cubed]} divided by factor of safety = 4.0

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