✅ Verified for 2026 by Epcland Engineering Team Dyke Wall vs Bund Wall: Engineering Standards & Design Guide Figure 1: Comparison of large-scale geotechnical dykes vs. reinforced industrial bunds. Dyke Wall vs Bund Wall design criteria form the backbone of industrial safety and environmental protection strategies. While the terms are often used interchangeably in general construction, strictly defined engineering standards distinguish them by function: Dykes are primarily geotechnical structures for flood defense or large-scale containment, whereas Bunds are impermeable engineered barriers specifically designed for secondary containment of hazardous liquids in processing facilities. Core Engineering Definition A Bund Wall is a liquid-retaining structure surrounding storage tanks, designed to hold 110% of the largest tank's capacity (plus freeboard) to prevent chemical spills. A Dyke Wall typically refers to an earthen embankment used to regulate water levels (levees) or enclose large tank farms where permeability requirements may differ from concrete bunds. Quick Navigation 1. Theory & Design Standards 2. Bund Wall Calculations 3. Case Study: Retrofit Failure 4. Common FAQs Knowledge Check: Containment Basics Question 1 of 5 Next Question → 1. Theory & Design Standards: Dyke Wall vs Bund Wall The distinction between a Dyke Wall vs Bund Wall fundamentally comes down to the engineering discipline and the fluid being contained. While both serve as secondary containment barriers, their design codes and failure modes differ significantly. In 2026, regulatory bodies like the EPA (SPCC), OSHA, and international bodies (HSE/CIRIA) have tightened the secondary containment standards 2026, emphasizing zero-permeability for hazardous chemical storage. The Civil vs. Industrial Distinction A Dyke (or Dike) is historically rooted in geotechnical engineering. It is typically an earthen embankment with a trapezoidal cross-section, relying on mass and soil compaction to hold back large volumes of water (flood control) or crude oil in massive tank farms. Conversely, a Bund is a structural wall—usually reinforced concrete or masonry—engineered to withstand significant hydrostatic pressure in a compact footprint. Feature Dyke Wall (Earthen) Bund Wall (Structural) Primary Material Compacted Clay, Soil, Geotextiles Reinforced Concrete, Masonry Block Footprint Wide (Requires 2:1 or 3:1 Slope) Narrow (Vertical Walls) Permeability Variable (Requires Liners) Low (Engineered Water Stops) Typical Application Large Oil Terminals, Flood Defense Chemical Plants, Fuel Stations, Transformers Maintenance Erosion Control, Vegetation Mgmt Crack Repair, Joint Sealing When debating Concrete vs earthen bund solutions, site constraints often dictate the choice. Earthen dykes are cost-effective for massive perimeters but require significant land area for stable slopes. Concrete bunds are expensive but essential in tight industrial plants where space is at a premium. 2. Bund Wall Design Calculation The core metric for any containment system is the 110% containment rule. This safety factor ensures that if the primary tank undergoes a catastrophic failure, the bund can hold the entire contents plus an additional 10% buffer for fire-fighting foam, rainwater accumulation, or wave action caused by the surge of fluid. Figure 2: The critical geometry of a compliant bund wall system. Step-by-Step Capacity Formula To perform a valid bund wall design calculation, you must calculate the Net Bund Capacity (NBC). The formula is not just strictly volume; it must account for "Dead Volume" occupied by tank plinths, pumps, or other equipment inside the bunded area. 🧮 Engineering Formula Sheet 1. Required Containment Volume (Vreq): Vreq = Vtank × 1.10 Where Vtank is the capacity of the largest single tank in the system. 2. Net Available Volume (Vnet): Vnet = (L × W × H) - Vdisplaced Vdisplaced includes the volume of tank foundations and other tanks (up to the bund height). 3. Determining Wall Height (H): Hwall = (Vreq + Vdisplaced) / Afloor + hfreeboard Typical hfreeboard is 200mm to 300mm depending on rainfall data. If the calculated height exceeds 1.5 meters, additional structural reinforcement and access platforms (stairs/ladders) are required by OSHA for safe egress. For tank farm dyke construction, if the height becomes excessive, engineers often widen the perimeter (increasing Area A) to lower the required Height H. Construction & Quality Assurance The most common point of failure in Dyke Wall vs Bund Wall systems is not the wall itself, but the floor-to-wall joint. In concrete bunds, a PVC water stop must be cast into this joint. For earthen dykes, the entire basin is often lined with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheets. Once constructed, permeability testing for bunds is mandatory. This typically involves a hydrostatic test: filling the bund with water up to a certain level (e.g., 500mm) and monitoring the level for 24-72 hours. Any drop in level beyond evaporation allowance indicates a leak that must be sealed before the facility can be commissioned. Case Study: Coastal Terminal Dyke Retrofit Project ID: EPC-2025-RT • Failure Analysis & Remediation Figure 3: Installation of an HDPE liner over a failed earthen core during the retrofit. 📍 Site Location Industrial Port Zone, High Water Table 🏭 Asset Profile 4x 5,000m³ Diesel Storage Tanks ⚠️ Failure Mode Desiccation Cracking & Seepage The Challenge: Earthen Dyke Failure The facility originally utilized a traditional earthen dyke wall constructed from local clay in the late 1990s. Over decades, fluctuating temperatures caused desiccation cracks in the clay core. During a routine audit using updated secondary containment standards 2026, inspectors discovered a hydrocarbon sheen in the groundwater monitoring wells outside the perimeter. The earthen structure had lost its impermeability, and the facility faced a shutdown order. Engineering Analysis Geotechnical analysis revealed that the tank farm dyke construction was sound structurally but failed the permeability requirement. The site constraints prevented widening the dykes to add a new clay cap. Furthermore, the 110% containment rule required an increase in volume due to new fire-fighting foam calculations, which the existing low-height dykes could not accommodate without a larger footprint. The Solution: Hybrid Bund Wall System The engineering team designed a hybrid solution. They excavated the inner face of the earthen dyke and installed a vertical, reinforced concrete Bund Wall. This vertical design allowed them to increase the wall height by 1.2 meters without expanding the footprint. Liner: A 2.5mm textured HDPE liner was welded to the new concrete bund and anchored to the tank ring beam. Joints: Hydrophilic water stops were installed at all concrete cold joints. Verification: Rigorous permeability testing for bunds was conducted using a vacuum box test on liner welds and a 48-hour hydrostatic flood test. Results & ROI The retrofit successfully contained 100% of the test water with zero leakage. By converting the sloping dyke inner wall to a vertical concrete bund, the facility reclaimed 450m² of usable land, improving access for fire trucks. The project achieved full compliance with EPA SPCC regulations and extended the facility's operational license by 20 years. 4. Frequently Asked Questions Does the 110% containment rule apply to multiple tanks sharing one bund? Yes, but the calculation changes. For multiple tanks, the bund capacity typically must be the greater of: 110% of the largest single tank OR 10% of the total aggregate volume of all tanks. Always check your local secondary containment standards 2026 (e.g., SPCC or EPA guidelines) as specific percentages can vary by jurisdiction. What is the difference between a Dyke, a Bund, and a Berm? While often confused, they serve different functions. A Bund is a liquid-tight containment wall (structural). A Dyke is a large earthen embankment for flood or spill control (geotechnical). A Berm is generally a mound of earth used for visual screening, noise reduction, or erosion control, and is not necessarily designed to be impermeable or hold hydrostatic pressure. Can I use hollow block masonry for a bund wall? Standard hollow blocks are generally porous and not sufficient alone. If masonry is used, it must be reinforced (filled cells), rendered with a waterproof cement mortar, and coated with a chemical-resistant sealant. Reinforced concrete (RC) is preferred for bund wall design calculation purposes due to its superior tensile strength and impermeability. How do you handle rainwater in an open bund? Rainwater accumulation reduces the available capacity for spills. Operators must install a sump pit with a manually operated valve or pump. Water should be tested for contamination before discharge. Automatic pumps are risky unless equipped with oil-water sensors, as they might accidentally pump hazardous spills out of the containment area. Final Engineering Takeaway Whether you are designing a massive earthen dyke wall for a terminal or a compact concrete bund wall for a processing plant, the goal remains the same: impermeable, calculated protection. Ensure your designs meet the 110% containment rule and prioritize the liner integrity to avoid environmental catastrophe. Retake Design Quiz Epcland Engineering | Standard: API 650 / NFPA 30 / SPCC | Last Updated: 2026
