Description
API 650 Tank Shell Design Calculation
Engineering Spreadsheet — Instant Download
What This Spreadsheet Does
Designs the shell courses of welded above-ground storage tanks per API 650 using the variable-design-point (VDP) method. Built for tank designers, structural engineers, and EPC project teams in Oil & Gas, water storage, and process industries.
What’s Inside the Excel File
- Inputs — tank diameter, height, course widths, design liquid level, specific gravity, material allowable stress, corrosion allowance, joint efficiency
- VDP method calculation per API 650 clause 5.6.4 — design point at 0.61√(R·t) above each course bottom
- Course-by-course shell thickness for design and hydrostatic test conditions
- Minimum thickness check per API 650 nominal table
- Drop-in summary table for your design report
- Clause references on every formula cell
Who This Is For
- Tank design engineers in Oil & Gas and refining
- Structural engineers on EPC tank packages
- Inspection engineers verifying as-built shell thicknesses
- Consultants delivering API 650 design reports
Codes & Standards Referenced
- API 650 — Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
How It Works
| 1 | Purchase — secure one-time payment |
| 2 | Download — instant Excel access |
| 3 | Enter Values — tank geometry and material data |
| 4 | Get Results — course thicknesses, auto-calculated |
File Format & Compatibility
Microsoft Excel (.xlsx). Opens in Excel 2016+, Excel 365, Google Sheets. No macros, no locked cells.
What You Get After Payment
- ✅ Instant download (also emailed)
- ✅ Lifetime access
- ✅ Engineer email support
- ✅ 7-day refund if file fails to open
🌍 Trusted by engineers across 50+ countries · 📚 Part of 160+ engineering spreadsheets · 🛠 Support from qualified engineers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which API 650 edition does this follow?
The variable-design-point method follows the current API 650 12th edition methodology.
Does it cover seismic and wind?
This sheet focuses on shell course thicknesses. For seismic and wind, see our related tank wind buckling sheet.
Can I use it for refurbishment / API 653?
It’s optimised for new design per API 650. For tank shell evaluation, use our API 653 evaluation sheet.
Custom version needed?
Request a custom quote.
Related Spreadsheets
API 650 Tank Shell Design — Live Calculator
1-Foot Method (API 650 §5.6.3.2) · enter your tank data, get course-by-course shell thickness
1 · Tank Geometry & Material
Enter your project values — no signup needed.
2 Shell Courses
Enter the height of each course, bottom to top. Lowest course is 1.
| Course | Course height (m) |
|---|
3 Your Result
Pay to unlock your results
Your course-by-course shell thicknesses are calculated and waiting.
td design Eq 5-2a · tt hydrotest Eq 5-2b · tmin governing incl code floor 5.6.1.1
| Course | H 0.3 (m) | td (mm) | tt (mm) | Code min (mm) | tmin (mm) | Governed by |
|---|
Engineering aid only. 2026 3D-LABS info@3d-labs.com


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