Large storage tanks are designed to withstand low pressures and vacuums. typically they are constructed to withstand no more than 8 in of water gauge pressure and 2.5 in of water gauge vacuum. a particular tank is 40 ft in diameter.
a. if a 200-lb person stands in the middle of the tank roof, what is the resulting pressure (in inches of water) if the person’s weight is distributed across the entire roof?
b. if the roof was flooded with 8 in of water (equivalent to the maximum pressure), what is the total weight (in pounds) of the water?
c. a large storage tank was sucked in when the vent to the outside became plugged and the operator turned on the pump to empty the tank. how did this happen?