The determination of the internal volume held by a cylindrical vessel designed for liquid storage is achieved through a specific mathematical expression. This expression incorporates the tank’s radius (the distance from the central axis to the outer wall) squared, multiplied by pi (approximately 3.14159), and further multiplied by the tank’s height. For instance, a tank with a radius of 5 feet and a height of 10 feet possesses a capacity calculated as (5 feet) 10 feet, yielding an approximate volume of 785.4 cubic feet. This result can be converted to gallons using the appropriate conversion factor (approximately 7.48 gallons per cubic foot), providing a volume of roughly 5875 gallons.
Accurate assessment of a reservoir’s holding capability is essential for numerous applications. These range from agricultural irrigation planning and municipal water supply management to industrial process control and emergency water storage. Precise volume knowledge allows for effective resource allocation, prevention of overflow or shortages, and optimized system performance. Historically, estimations of tank volume relied on manual measurement and potentially imprecise calculations. Modern applications often employ electronic sensors and automated volume determination systems, significantly enhancing accuracy and efficiency.