In the present study, three dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) simulations of a steel water storage elevated tank for different tank aspect ratios, percentages of water stored in the tank, tank wall thicknesses  and effect of baffle in tank have been performed using the FE software ABAQUS. The coupled Euler–Lagrange (CEL) formulation in ABAQUS has been adopted herein which has the advantage of considering the coupling of structural mechanics and fluid mechanics fundamental equations. The maximum hoop stress, shear stress and plastic strain in the tank wall and displacement, base shear and moment in the whole model have been studied. It is observed that stresses and strain increase with decreasing percentages of water stored in the tank and decreasing wall thickness. Displacement, base shear and moment decrease with increasing of percentages of water stored in the tank.