Predominantly, fuel storage tanks are built in coastal regions, whose subsoil in characterized by a stratified profile, formed by recent sediments from the Quaternary period. It is possible to observe the existance of sediments of fluvial-lagoon origin (stratigraphic interchanges consisting of fine sands, slits and soft clays) and marine sediments (thick layers of sand), with a shallow water table. The stress applied to the soil is usually of small magnitude, but the occurrence of differential settlements due to densification is very common and sometimes not correctly evaluated, seriously compromising the interaction of the soil with the main components of the tank, pipes and other connections. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the bottom plate of a vertical metallic tank supported on a stratified soil deposit. This study considered, though numerical analysis by the finite element method, the existence of horizontal and slightly inclined layers. As main results, time versus settlement and loading versus settlement graphs were generated for comparison. The results show that the consideration of the variation of the variation of thickness and slopes of the subsoil layers has a direct influence on settlements, especially in the clayey layers. The behavior of the soil-structure system (layout of layers, foundation, settlement by consolidation, differential settlement) showed the importance and influence of the various factors that affect the settlement of the foundation and contribute to the making of more adequate decisions under technical and economic points of view.