Running Your First Shell Design in TankCode 650: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Shell Module Inputs Explained

Navigate to the Shell tab from the TankCode 650 sidebar. The shell module inherits geometry from the Inputs tab. Shell-specific controls include:

• Number of courses: Auto-suggested based on height, but overridable. More courses allow finer thickness optimisation.
• Design method: 1-foot method (default) or variable design point. See our shell thickness design article for the difference between these two methods.
• Design pressure: Inherited from Inputs. Zero for atmospheric tanks.
• Gauge standard: Plate thickness series for rounding. Default is the workbook standard gauge list.

Running the Calculation

Click Calculate Shell. Both the design case (product SG) and hydrostatic test case (water SG = 1.0, higher allowable stress) are evaluated simultaneously for every course.

Reading the Results Table

The results table shows one row per course, top to bottom. Each row contains:

• t_d (mm): Required design thickness including corrosion allowance, at the 0.3 m design point.
• t_t (mm): Required hydrostatic test thickness.
• t_order (mm): Ordered plate thickness — the greater of t_d and t_t, rounded up to gauge, and not less than the Table 5-1 minimum.
• Governs: Which criterion set the ordered thickness. A yellow flag on “Hydrostatic test” is normal for lower courses on high-SG product tanks.

How to Verify the Output

To manually verify Course 3: calculate H at the design point (0.3 m above bottom of Course 3), then apply: t_d = 4.9 × D × H × G / Sd + CA. Confirm t_order ≥ t_d and ≥ Table 5-1 minimum. Click the row in TankCode 650 to expand intermediate values (H, design point location, governing case details).

Next Steps After Shell

Run Wind Stability next — it needs shell thicknesses to check the wind girder requirement. Then seismic, anchorage, roof, and weights in sequence. All modules use the same geometry inputs. For questions about what appears in the final output, see our PDF report export guide.