Getting Started with TankCode 650: Your First Tank Design in 10 Minutes

Step 1: Request Access

TankCode 650 is a browser-based application with no installation required. Access is granted through a trial or licensed account. Fill in the demo request form on the contact page with your name, company, and project type. You will receive login credentials within one working day.

For a full breakdown of access tiers, see our article on how to get access to TankCode 650.

Step 2: Log In and Create a New Design

Navigate to app.tankcode650.com and sign in. From the dashboard, click New Design and give your project a name. The design auto-saves as you work.

Step 3: Enter Geometry Inputs

The Inputs tab is where you define the tank geometry. For your first run, you will need:

• Nominal diameter (m or ft — unit toggle at top)
• Shell height (total plate height, not liquid level)
• Number of shell courses (auto-suggested — you can override)
• Design specific gravity of the stored product
• Design internal pressure (0 for atmospheric tanks)
• Corrosion allowance (typically 1.5–3 mm)
• Shell material (API 650 Table 2-1 grades from dropdown)
• API 650 edition (auto-sets seismic references)

First-time tip: Start with an atmospheric tank (design pressure = 0) and a common material like A36 or A516-70. Once you know the output format, move to more complex inputs like Appendix F or internal pressure designs.

Step 4: Run the Shell Module

Click the Shell tab. TankCode 650 calculates required and ordered thickness for each course using the 1-foot method by default. The results table shows per course: design thickness, test thickness, ordered (gauged) thickness, and the governing criterion. A detailed walkthrough of the output is in our shell module walkthrough.

Step 5: Work Through Remaining Modules

Work through: Seismic → Wind Stability → Anchorage → Roof → Weights → Foundation Load. Each module auto-populates geometry from the Inputs tab. When all modules show green status in the sidebar, you are ready to export.

Step 6: Export the PDF Report

Click the Report tab then Export PDF. The report contains all module outputs with clause references, full input echo, and a summary page. See our PDF report guide for what is included and how to customise the project header.