1

Math IA

Title: Optimization of tanker truck shapes

RQ: Optimization of the surface area of tankers of liquid tanker trucks with irregular

shapes.

Pages: 20
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Introduction

In the future I want to become a marine biologist, and one major issue with the oceans is the

rise in temperature. Everyone is aware of the global warming problem when it comes to rising

waters and ice melting however, habitats underwater are dying. One way to reduce this is to

reduce air pollution. As we know vehicles are a major contribution to this rising problem. It is

impossible to ask everyone to move to more ecofriendly travel methods because not only is it

less convenient when assessing comfort but the transport of important material like fuels, oils

and drinking water will stop also.

Through my exploration I will find the optimum shape for the containers of liquids where

maximum liquid can be carried in the least surface area and thus less trucks will be needed.

Method

Since most trucks have cylindrical shapes I will be seeing if other regular shapes are more ideal

for the tanker trucks. I will use the shapes: hexagonal prism and a triangular prism compared

to the conventional cylinder to find which shape is the optimal for the best volume. A tanker

truck in India can hold up to 10,000 gallons1.

1
Mikulec, Tracy. “Road Tanker Safety: Design, Equipment, and the Human Factor.”

SafeRack, 4 Nov. 2020, www.saferack.com/road-tanker-safety-design-equipment-

human-factor.
 3

Method

This is the common cylindrical shape of tanker trucks. For this investigation I will be ignoring

the semi-circle like shapes on both sides giving it the oblong shape and assume it is a common

cylinder.

h= height

r=radius

The formula for Volume is:

V = πr2h

The formula for Surface area is:

SA = 2 πrh + 2 πr2

Using the formula for the volume of a cylinder and that the maximum volume a tanker truck

can hold is 10,000 gallons which is 37854000ml I get:

37854000 = πr2h

Then rearranging it for h I get:

h = 37854000 / πr2

Substituting this equation for h in the surface area I get:

SA = 2 πr2 + 2 πr (37854000 / πr2)

 4

SA = 2 πr2 + 75708000r-1

Differentiate SA with respect to r

SA= 2 πr2 + 75708000r-1

75708000
𝑆𝐴 = 2𝜋𝑟 2 +
𝑟

𝑑𝑆𝐴 75708000
(2𝜋𝑟 2 + )
𝑑𝑟 𝑟

𝑑𝑆𝐴 2 𝑑𝑆𝐴 1
= 2𝜋 × (𝑟 ) + 75708000 × ( )
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑟

𝑑𝑆𝐴
(𝑟)
= 2 × 2𝜋𝑟 − 75708000 × 𝑑𝑟 2
𝑟

75708000 ×1
= 4𝜋𝑟 − 𝑟2

Equating this equation to 0 will give the maximum or minimum value of r

75708000
4𝜋𝑟 − =0
𝑟2

4πr3 – 75708000 = 0

4πr3 = 75708000

75708000
𝑟3 =
4𝜋

3 75708000
𝑟= √
4𝜋

r = 181.96 cm, the minimum value.

Substituting this value for r in the following equation

 5

h = 37854000 / πr2

h = 37854000 / π (181.96)2

h = 363.92 cm

This shows that the radius of the cylinder is 181.96 cm and height is 363.92 cm which will

produce the minimum surface area of the tanks for the optimum volume.

So, the minimum surface area of the tanks is got from the formula

SA = 2 πrh + 2 πr2

SA = 2 π (181.96) (363.92) + 2 π (181.96)2

SA = (416065.514) + (208032.757)

SA = 624098.271

Rounded to whole number = 624098 cm2

Figure 1 shows the graph for the equation of the surface area for cylinder and the minimum

value. 2

2
“Desmos | Graphing Calculator.” Desmos, www.desmos.com/calculator. Accessed 4 Apr.

2021.
 6

From this graph the minimum values are (181.96, 624102.22) which agrees to the calculations.

Therefore, an ideal tanker truck in the conventional cylindrical shape should have a radius of

181.96cm and length of 363.92cm.

The next two shapes will investigate if different shapes can have smaller surface area but can

hold the same volume, thus proving more effective and being able to save metal for other usage.

The next shape I will be investigating is hexagonal prism.

 7

a=base edge

h= length

The formula for volume is:

The volume for any prism: base area X height

3 × √3
𝐵𝐴 = × 𝑎2
2

3√3 2
:. 𝑉 = 𝑎 ℎ
2

The formula for surface area is:

𝑆𝐴 = 6𝑎ℎ + 3√3𝑎2

Using the formula for the volume of the hexagonal prism and the maximum volume a tanker

truck can hold 10,000 gallons which is 37854000ml:

3√ 3 2
37854000 = 𝑎 ℎ
2

Rearranging for h I get:

37854000
ℎ=
3√ 3 2
𝑎
2

37854000
ℎ=
3 × √3 × 𝑎2
2

2
ℎ = 37854000 ( )
3 × √3 × 𝑎2

37854000 × 2
ℎ=
3 × √3 × 𝑎2
 8

24 × 33 × 53 × 701 × 2
ℎ=
3 × √3 × 𝑎2

25 × 33 × 53 × 701
ℎ=
3 × √3 × 𝑎2

25 × 32 × 53 × 701
ℎ=
√3 × 𝑎2

32 × 9 × 125 × 701
ℎ=
√3 × 𝑎2

25236000
ℎ=
√3 × 𝑎2

25236000 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2 × √3 × 3

25236000 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2 × √32

25236000 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2 × 3

25236000 × √3
ℎ=
3𝑎2

25 × 32 × 53 × 701 × √3
ℎ=
3𝑎2

25 × 3 × 53 × 701 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2

32 × 3 × 125 × 701 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2

8412000 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2
 9

Substituting this equation for h in the surface area formula I get:

8412000 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = 6𝑎 ( ) + 3√3𝑎2
𝑎2

25 × 3 × 53 × 701 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = 6𝑎 ( ) + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎2

6𝑎 × 25 × 3 × 53 × 701 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎2

(2 × 3)𝑎 × 25 × 3 × 53 × 701 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎2

2 × 3𝑎 × 25 × 3 × 53 × 701 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎2

26 × 32 × 53 × 701𝑎 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎2

26 × 32 × 53 × 701 × √3
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑎

(26 × 32 × 53 × 701 × √3) + 𝑎(3 × √3 × 𝑎2 )

𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

(50472000 × √3) + 𝑎 × 3 × √3 × 𝑎2
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

50472000 × √3 + 3𝑎3 × √3
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

26 × 32 × 53 × 701 × √3 × 3𝑎3 × √3
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

26 × 32 × 53 × 701 × √3 3𝑎3 × √3
3 × √3 ( + )
3 × √3 3 × √3
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎
 10

3 × √3(26 × 3 × 53 × 701 + 𝑎3 )
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

3 × √3(64 × 3 × 125 × 701 + 𝑎3 )

𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

3 × √3(𝑎3 + 16824000)
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

Differentiate surface area formula with respect to a

3 × √3(𝑎3 + 16824000)
𝑆𝐴 =
𝑎

3
32 (𝑎3 + 16824000)
=
𝑎

3
𝑑𝑆𝐴 32 (𝑎3 + 16824000)
= ( )
𝑑𝑎 𝑎

3 𝑑𝑆𝐴 (𝑎3 + 16824000)

= 32 × ( )
𝑑𝑎 𝑎

𝑑𝑆𝐴 3 𝑑𝑆𝐴
3 (𝑎 + 16824000) × 𝑎 − (𝑎3 + 16824000) × (𝑎)
= 32 × 𝑑𝑎 𝑑𝑎
𝑎2

3 𝑑𝑆𝐴 3 𝑑𝑆𝐴
32 (( (𝑎 ) + (16824000)) 𝑎 − 1(𝑎3 + 16824000))
𝑑𝑎 𝑑𝑎
=
𝑎2

3
32 (−𝑎3 + (3𝑎2 + 0)𝑎 − 16824000)
=
𝑎2

3
32 (2𝑎3 − 16824000)
=
𝑎2

Equating this equation to 0 will give the maximum or minimum value of a

 11

3
32 (2𝑎3 − 16824000)
=0
𝑎2

3
32 (2𝑎3 − 26 × 3 × 53 × 701)
=0
𝑎2

3 2𝑎3 26 × 3 × 53 × 701
32 (2 ( 2 − ))
2
=0
𝑎2

3
32 (2(𝑎3 − (25 × 3 × 53 × 701)))
=0
𝑎2

3
32 (2(𝑎3 − (32 × 3 × 125 × 701)))
=0
𝑎2

3
32 (2(𝑎3 − 8412000))
=0
𝑎2

3
32 × 2(𝑎3 − 8412000)
=0
𝑎2

3
2 × 32 (𝑎3 − 8412000)
=0
𝑎2

3
2 × 32 (𝑎3 − 8412000) = 0

3
2 × 32 (𝑎3 − 8412000)
3 =0
2× 32

𝑎3 − 8412000 = 0

𝑎3 = 8412000

3
𝑎 = √8412000
 12

𝑎 = 203.376𝑐𝑚

Substituting this value for a in the following equation

8412000 × √3
ℎ=
𝑎2

8412000 × √3
ℎ=
203.3762

h = 350.931 cm

This shows that the base edge of the hexagonal prism is 203.376cm and height is 350.931cm

which will produce the minimum surface area of the tanks for the optimal volume.

So, the minimum surface area of the tanks got form the formula:

𝑆𝐴 = 6𝑎ℎ + 3√3𝑎2

𝑆𝐴 = 6(203.376)(350.931) + 3√3(203.376)2

SA=643147.862 cm2

Rounded to whole number = 643148 cm2

Figure 1 shows the graph for the equation of the surface area for hexagonal prism.3

3
“Desmos | Graphing Calculator.” Desmos, www.desmos.com/calculator. Accessed 4 Apr.

2021.
 13

From this graph the minimum values are (203.376, 644766.769) which agrees to the

calculations.

Therefore, an ideal tanker truck in the shape of a hexagonal prism should have a base edge of

203.376cm and length of 350.932cm.

Through this calculation it is seen that the surface area of the cylinder tank is about 3% less

than that of the hexagonal prism for the same volume. Thus, showing that a hexagonal prism

would be considered a worse shape for tanker trucks.

To see if another shape would be better for the same situation, I will investigate the how a

triangular prism may work better. For this situation I will be assuming the shape as an

equilateral triangular prism.

 14

s = base edge

l = length

The formula for volume is:

The volume of any prism is base area X length

√3 2
BA = 𝑠
4

√3
:.𝑉 = ( 4 𝑠 2 ) × 𝑙

The formula for surface area 4is:

√3
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( 𝑠 2 ) + 3𝑠 × 𝑙
4

Using the formula for the volume of a triangular prism and the maximum volume a tanker truck

can hold is 10,000 gallons which is 37854000 ml I get:

4
“GDPR.” Byjus, byjus.com/maths/triangular-

prism/#:%7E:text=Shape%20of%20the%20base%20%3D%20Triangular,base%20x%

20Height%20of%20Prism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2021.

 15

√3 2
37854000 = ( 𝑠 )×𝑙
4

Rearranging for l I get:

37854000
𝑙=
√3 2
4 𝑠

Substituting the equation for l in the surface area I get:

√3 37854000
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( 𝑠 2 ) + 3𝑠 × ( )
4 √3 2
4 𝑠

√3 37854000
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( 2 𝑠 2 ) + 3 × 𝑠 ( )
2 √3 2
𝑠
22

√3 × 𝑠 2 37854000
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( ) + 3 × 𝑠 ( )
22 √3 × 𝑠 2
22

√3 × 𝑠 2 √3 × 𝑠 2
𝑆𝐴 = 2 × + 3 × 𝑠 (37854000 ÷ )
22 22

2 × √3 × 𝑠 2 22
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × 𝑠 (37854000 ( ))
22 √3 × 𝑠 2

√3 × 𝑠 2 22
𝑆𝐴 = + 3 × 𝑠 (37854000 × )
22−1 √3 × 𝑠 2

√3 × 𝑠 2 24 × 33 × 53 × 701 × 22
𝑆𝐴 = +3×𝑠( )
2 √3 × 𝑠 2

√3 × 𝑠 2 26 × 33 × 53 × 701
𝑆𝐴 = +3×𝑠( )
2 √3 × 𝑠 2
 16

√3 × 𝑠 2 26 × 33 × 53 × 701𝑠
𝑆𝐴 = +3×
2 √3 × 𝑠 2

√3 × 𝑠 2 26 × 33 × 53 × 701
𝑆𝐴 = +3×
2 √3 × 𝑠

√3 × 𝑠 2 3 × 26 × 33 × 53 × 701
𝑆𝐴 = +
2 √3 × 𝑠

√3 × 𝑠 2 34 × 26 × 53 × 701
𝑆𝐴 = +
2 √3 × 𝑠

(√3 × 𝑠)(√3 × 𝑠 2 ) + 2(34 × 26 × 53 × 701)

𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠

√3 × 𝑠 × √3 × 𝑠 2 + 2(81 × 64 × 125 × 701)

𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠

𝑠𝑠 2 × √3 × 3 + 2 × 454248000
𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠

𝑠𝑠 2 × 3 + 908496000
𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠

3𝑠 3 + 908496000
𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠

(3𝑠 3 + 908496000)√3
𝑆𝐴 =
2 × √3 × 𝑠 × √3

(3𝑠 3 + 908496000)√3
𝑆𝐴 =
2𝑠 × √32

(3𝑠 3 + 908496000)√3
𝑆𝐴 =
2𝑠 × 3

(3𝑠 3 + 908496000)√3
𝑆𝐴 =
6𝑠
 17

Differentiate surface area with respect to s

3𝑠 3 + 908496000
𝑆𝐴 =
2√3𝑠

√3(𝑠 2 + 302832000)
𝑆𝐴 =
2𝑠

𝑑𝑆𝐴 √3(𝑠 3 + 302832000)

( )
𝑑𝑠 2𝑠

√3 𝑑𝑆𝐴 𝑠 3 + 302832000
= × ( )
2 𝑑𝑠 𝑠

𝑑𝑆𝐴 3 𝑑𝑆𝐴
(𝑠 + 302832000) × 𝑠 − (𝑠 3 + 302832000) × (𝑠)
√3 × 𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑠
= 𝑠2
2

𝑑𝑆𝐴 𝑑𝑆𝐴
√3 (( 𝑑𝑠 (𝑠 3 ) + 𝑑𝑠 (302832000)) 𝑠 − 1(𝑠 3 + 302832000))
=
2𝑠 2

√3(−𝑠 3 + (3𝑠 2 + 0)𝑠 − 302832000)

=
2𝑠 2

√3(2𝑠 3 − 302832000)
=
2𝑠 2

√3(𝑠 3 − 151416000)
=
𝑠2

Equating this equation to 0 will give the maximum or minimum value of s:

√3(𝑠 3 − 151416000)
=0
𝑠2

1.732051𝑠 3 − 262260205.078849
=0
𝑠2
 18

1.732051𝑠 3 − 262260205.078849 = 0

1.732051𝑠 3 = 262260205.078849

262260205.078849
𝑠3 =
1.732051

𝑠 3 = 151415983.17766

3
𝑠 = √151415983.17766

s = 532.996 cm

Substituting this value for s in the following equation

37854000
𝑙=
√3
(532.996)2
4

l = 307.725 cm

This shows that the base edge of the triangular prism is 532.996 cm and length is 307.725 cm

which will produce the minimum surface area of the tanks for the optimal volume. So, the

minimum surface area of the tanks if got from the formula:

√3
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( 𝑠 2 ) + 3𝑠 × 𝑙
4

√3
𝑆𝐴 = 2 ( (532.996)2 ) + 3(532.996) × 307.725
4

𝑆𝐴 = (246024.5982) + 492048.5823

SA = 738073.1805 cm2

Rounded to whole number = 738073 cm2

 19

Figure 2 shows the graph for the equation of the surface area for triangular prism.5

From this graph the minimum values are (532.996, 738073.704) which agrees to the

calculations.

Therefore, an ideal tanker truck in the shape of a triangular prism should have a base edge of

532.996 cm and length of 307.725cm.

Through this calculation it is seen that the surface area of the cylinder tank is about 15% less

than that of the triangular prism for the same volume. Thus, showing that a triangular prism

would be considered a worse shape for tanker trucks.

Limitations

Not all tanks of the tanker truck are perfect cylinders which would add some volume however,

this also increases the surface area for the tanks. For this investigation I considered the

5
“Desmos | Graphing Calculator.” Desmos, www.desmos.com/calculator. Accessed 4 Apr.

2021.
 20

maximum a tanker truck can hold, while some tanker trucks do not need to hold that much

liquid. Plus, the graphs for the shapes give relative minimum points not the absolute minimum

point.

Areas of further research

For this investigation I only compared two different shapes. Exploring more shapes would

allow to understand what other shapes would be more ideal. Plus, understanding the amount of

metal for a tanker truck would allow to understand the economical and environment factors of

decreased surface area better.

Conclusion

After investigating the three shapes that can be used as the tanks for tanker truck, it clear that

the shape for the tanker trucks has been thought out and the conventional cylinder seems to be

the ideal shape for the maximum volume and minimum surface area for tanks.
 21

Bibliography

“Desmos | Graphing Calculator.” Desmos, www.desmos.com/calculator. Accessed 4 Apr.

2021.

“GDPR.” Byjus, byjus.com/maths/triangular-

prism/#:%7E:text=Shape%20of%20the%20base%20%3D%20Triangular,base%20x%

20Height%20of%20Prism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2021.

Mikulec, Tracy. “Road Tanker Safety: Design, Equipment, and the Human Factor.”

SafeRack, 4 Nov. 2020, www.saferack.com/road-tanker-safety-design-equipment-

human-factor.