Explosion Damage Research Articles

Effects of Vent Size and Pressure on Hydrogen Explosion Dynamic Characteristics.

Explosion venting is an effective method to reduce the explosion damage; in order to study the mechanism of an explosion venting process in internal and external space, this paper investigates the influence of vent parameters on hydrogen-air explosion in a rectangular duct through numerical simulation. The model including the internal and external space is first constructed, and then the explosion dynamic behaviors of the full flow field are analyzed under different vent pressures and sizes. The study aims to reveal the coupling effect of the flame, pressure, and flow field on hydrogen explosion venting. The results indicate that the explosion intensity increases with the growth of the vent pressure and the reduction of the vent size. The maximum external overpressure increases to 2.6 and 2.3 times as the vent pressure increased to 10 times or vent size reduced by 90%. The flame and combustible gas mixture evolve from a mushroom cloud into a jet form as the vent size decreases, and vortexes formed at the flame front suppress flame propagation. However, the flame speed increases significantly as the flame passes the vent under the impact of larger pressure gradient, which results in a more violent turbulence intensity and secondary external explosion.

Numerical study on dynamic response of a novel ribbed thin-walled UHPC box-type utility tunnel under gas explosion

At present, RC utility tunnels are widely used in urban utility tunnels. As a typical confined space, the complex load effect generated by the internal gas explosion of the gas tank of utility tunnel may lead to local damage or overall destruction of the structure of RC utility tunnel. Therefore, it is an important topic to improve the anti-explosion capability of the utility tunnel and ensure the normal operation of the utility tunnel after gas explosion. UHPC structure is considered to have excellent anti-explosion performance, so a ribbed thin-walled UHPC utility tunnel structure was proposed, which improved the overall stiffness and anti-explosion performance of the UHPC utility tunnel through the ribbed section. In view of the shortcomings of fluid-solid coupling method in gas simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to calculate the overpressure distribution after gas explosion in UHPC utility tunnel. The accuracy of UHPC constitutive model and prestress simulation method was verified by testing results from the gas explosion on unbonded prestressed UHPC slab. The gas explosion damage mechanism of ribbed thin-walled UHPC utility tunnel, UHPC-NC combined utility tunnel and RC utility tunnel were comparatively analyzed. And the pre-fabricated stiffener height, UHPC slab thickness and UHPC strength were investigated on the anti-explosion performance of ribbed thin-walled UHPC utility tunnel against gas explosion. It is found that the UHPC strength needs to be enhanced dramatically to improve the blast resistance. The anti-explosion capability of utility tunnel can be effectively increased by increasing the rib height or increasing the thickness of the UHPC utility tunnel structure, and the damage pattern of the utility tunnel can also be changed from flexure-shear failure to bending failure. The results of the study can provide a reference for the damage analysis and anti-explosion design of ribbed thin-walled UHPC utility tunnels.

Study on calculation model of deflection of prefabricated hole bulkhead under the action of internal explosion

In order to study the plastic deformation law of ship plate frames under the coupling action of internal explosion load and fragment, first, the calculation formula of plastic deformation deflection of the non-porous plate is derived through the law of conservation of energy. According to the numerical calculation results, the influence of the opening position and opening area of the target plate on the deflection gain of the target plate is further explored. The mathematical expression form of the opening area and opening position on the deflection gain of the prefabricated target plate is fitted, and then, the deflection calculation model of the prefabricated target plate is established. It can theoretically predict the deflection of the bulkhead under cabin explosion and has a certain application reference value for ship cabin anti-explosion design and internal explosion damage assessment.

The Storage Tank Explosion Damage and the Effectiveness of Control Measures in the Chemical Industrial Parks of Smart Cities

Safety is one of the goals of a smart city. To study storage tank explosion damage in a city’s chemical industrial parks, determine the position of control measures according to the situation, and realize the analysis of the measured utility, we proposed the area damage probability importance distribution. In this way, the prediction and prevention of risk in chemical industrial parks can be achieved intelligently. The concept of area damage probability importance distribution was given, and the utility analysis method of the control measures for storage tank explosion accidents was put forward. It is concluded that the area damage probability importance distribution represents the change degree of damage probability: that is, the damage degree of storage tank explosion in a chemical industrial park. The control measures for a storage tank explosion can be set up in varying positions, as the explosion damage is mainly caused by shock waves; the blast walls are selected as the measure set, and the calculation method for the area damage probability is modified. By comparing the calculated area damage probability distribution before and after, evaluation of the control measures’ effectiveness can be achieved. Finally, the flow chart of the algorithm is given. The example analysis shows that the calculation process and analysis results meet the design requirements of the algorithm. The effectiveness of the method, the distribution characteristics, and the significance and function of the importance distribution of damage probability are discussed. This provides an effective method for smart cities to predict and prevent the impact of an explosion at chemical industrial parks.

Numerical simulation of the damage and ignition responses of high explosives under low-velocity impact using the SPH method

The damage evolution and ignition mechanism of high explosives are of great importance in assessing the safety of munitions and guiding the design of munitions. In this study, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is combined with a viscoelastic–viscoplastic-damage constitutive model and a hot spot model to explore the damage and ignition responses of high explosives under low-velocity impact. In particular, the sub-particle method is developed in the SPH method to combine the macroscopic constitutive model with the mesoscopic hot spot model. First, the damage evolution of a compressed plate containing a cavity and the ignition response of a single particle at a given pressure and strain rate are studied separately, and the simulation results are validated by experimental results and existing finite element method simulations. Subsequently, the impact shear and crack extrusion tests of high explosives with complex stress states are explored, respectively. For typical pressed PBX under impact-shear loading, a large damage region is formed in the high explosives due to the tensile stress formed by the meeting of rarefaction waves, and the initial ignition region is mainly located in the region where the outer edge of the rod is in contact with the high explosives and extends in a circular shape to the inside of the explosives. For typical pressed PBX under crack extruded loading, the damage region is mainly concentrated in the materials squeezed into the crack, and the initial ignition region is mainly located around the crack and gradually extends above the crack. The results indicate that the proposed SPH method is capable of modeling the damage and ignition responses of high explosives under complex stress states.

Study on the Influence of the Seal Position on Methane Explosion Damage Parameters in Fully Sized Mine Tunnel

Study on the Influence of the Seal Position on Methane Explosion Damage Parameters in Fully Sized Mine Tunnel

Numerical Simulation Study on Impact Initiation on Shielded Charge Using Hypervelocity Composite-Structure Reactive Fragments.

In order to study the impact initiation process and mechanism of hypervelocity PTFE/Al composite structure reactive fragments on a shielded charge, first, an existing PTFE/Al reactive fragment hypervelocity collision experiment was numerically simulated using the SPH algorithm in ANSYS/AUTODYN 17.0 software. Then, the Lee-Tarver model was verified to describe the detonation reaction behavior and explosion damage effect of reactive materials. A numerical simulation analysis of the impact of two kinds of ultra-high-speed PTFE/Al composite-structure reactive fragments on a shielded charge was carried out using the SPH algorithm. These were steel-coated PTFE/Al and steel-semi-coated PTFE/Al fragments, and they were compared with the impact of steel fragments. The results indicate that the threshold velocities of the impact initiation of the two composite-structure reactive fragments on the shielded charge were both 2.6 km/s, while the threshold velocity of the steel fragment was 2.7 km/s. Under the threshold velocity condition, the two composite-structure reactive fragments increase the time and intensity of the compressed shock wave pulse in the explosive due to the impact energy release effect of the reactive materials, causing the shielded charge to detonate under the continuous long-term pulse loads. However, the mechanism of the steel fragment on the shielded charge belongs to the shock-detonation transition. The research results can provide scientific references for the design of hypervelocity reactive fragments and the study of their damage mechanism.

The influence of boundary effects on explosive damage and crack propagation in brittle materials

To investigate the influence of boundary effects on the damage and fracture characteristics of brittle materials under explosive loads, studies were conducted using explosive model experiments and simulation methods. The results indicate that the damage outcomes of single and double boundary models are significantly affected by the variation in the distance (Δl) between the explosion source and the boundary. When Δl is the same, more fragments are generated by the double boundaries. The circumferential tensile stress, produced by the superposition of incident and reflected stress waves at the boundary, is the primary cause for the continuation of crack propagation.

Experimental study on protection of prestressed concrete box girder under vehicle explosion of bridge deck

AbstractThis paper presents a study on the explosion protection of prestressed concrete box girder, which is a commonly used in concrete bridges. The explosion protection tests of four prestressed box beams were designed with 1:5 scale. In order to evaluate the explosion performance of different protective layers, steel plate, ultra‐high‐performance concrete (UHPC) layer, and composite protective layer were used to protect the box girder. The experimental results revealed that under the effect of deck explosion, local penetrating failure occurred in the top plate of the box girder, which exhibited characteristics of punching failure. The web and bottom plate of the box girder as a whole exhibited bending characteristic. Compared with the unprotected box girder, the damage of the top plate of the protected box girder was less severe, whereas the damage of the bottom plate was greater. In working conditions 2–4, the UHPC protective box girder suffered less damage to the top plate, whereas the other protective box girders suffered more. The explosion dynamic responses of the box girder were compared, and the influences of different protective layers on the explosion dynamic response of box girder were studied. Based on the box girder damage, the protective efficiency of each protective layer under near‐explosion was studied. Based on the explosion tests, three‐dimensional numerical analysis model of box girder explosion was established. The accuracy of the numerical simulations of the box girder explosion were verified by comparing with the experimental failure data. Through the numerical results, the explosive energy dissipation capacity of different protective materials was compared and analyzed. Finally, based on the dynamic response of the box girder under different working conditions, the sensitivity of the protective layer to the dynamic responses of the box girder were studied. The analysis showed that the UHPC layer was sensitive to the change of prestress and explosion damage area of the box girder but had little influence on the rebars stress and the overall response of the box girder.

Damage mechanism and assessment of precast double-column bridge piers under blast impact

This paper aims to investigate the damage mechanism of precast double-column bridge piers under blast impact and propose a new damage evaluation method. The three-dimensional solid separation model of a pier column under explosion actions is established using ANSYS/LS-DYNA, and the accuracy of the numerical simulation method is verified by the existing experimental results. Subsequently, numerical experiments of the double-column bridge piers under explosions are carried out. The damage accumulation process and local failure mechanism are investigated with the analyses of the propagation of stress waves in concrete. In addition, the criteria containing residual bearing capacity and local damage are introduced in the damage assessment, aiming to evaluate the explosion damage degree of bridge piers comprehensively. The P-I (pressure-impulse) curves of precast double-column piers are established, based on the overpressure-impulse damage assessment method by Henrych’s empirical formula. The general evaluation process and method of double-column bridge piers under blast impacts are proposed and verified. The research results provide important insights and references for the anti-blast design of precast double-column piers and their bridge systems.

Explosion damage effects of aviation kerosene storage tank under strong ignition

In order to study the blast damage effects of aviation kerosene storage tanks, the out-field explosion experiments of 8 m³ fixed-roof tanks were carried out. The fragments, shock wave and fireball thermal radiation of the tank in the presence of bottom oil, half oil and full oil, as well as empty tank, were investigated under internal explosion by various TNT charge contents (1.8 kg, 3.5 kg and 6.2 kg). The results showed that the tank roof was the only fragment produced, and the damage forms could be divided into three types. The increase of TNT charge content and oil volume enlarged the deformation of the tank, while the hole ratio presented a trend of increase first and then decrease. The Hr, max and Vmax values positively increased as increasing the TNT charge content and oil volume (from empty to half oil), but decreased in full oil. The Pmax values had a progressive increase with the increment of TNT charge content, but not the case with the increase in oil volumes. The development of fireball was divided into three stages: tank roof ‘towed’ flame, jet flow flame tumbling and rising, and jet flow flame extinguishing. The Dmax and Hf, max values both increased as increasing TNT charge content and oil volumes. The oscillation phenomenon of fireball temperature was observed in the cooling process. The average temperature of fireball surface was positively correlated with TNT charge content, and negatively correlated with oil volumes.

Study on physical explosion equivalent of large diameter and high pressure natural gas pipeline

High pressure natural gas pipelines are prone to material failure and explosion due to various reasons. Over the years, scholars have done in-depth research on the process of chemical explosion. In this paper, the energy components of high-pressure trunk natural gas pipeline under normal operation state were derived. Based on the assumption of adiabatic non isentropic, the pressure distribution in the pipeline within a period of time after the pipeline cracks was derived, and the energy released by the physical explosion of the pipeline was further derived. To verify the theoretical results, an original size pipe explosion experiment was organized, and the pressure distribution obtained from the experiment was found to be in good agreement with the theoretical calculation results. Through the crack propagation time and the duration of ground motion obtained from the experiment, the range of the duration of the pipeline burst crack impact was obtained, and the equivalent range of the pipeline explosion was further calculated. At the same time, through the regression analysis of ground motion, the equivalent of the pipe explosion in this experiment was about 177 kg TNT, which was consistent with the theoretical results. Further, the theoretical model and experimental results were verified by numerical simulation, and deeply studied the influence factors of buried depth on the explosion equivalent, as well as the relationship between the environment of the pipeline and the explosion damage mode and hazard range of the pipeline. The research results of this paper give the calculation method and magnitude range of physical explosion equivalent of high-pressure trunk natural gas pipeline. It provides a reference for the formulation of safety standards for high-pressure trunk natural gas pipelines and inert gas pressure vessels.

Evaluation of the Dynamic Stability of Underground Structures Assuming a Hydrogen Gas Explosion Disaster in a Shallow Underground Hydrogen Storage Facility

Amid the ongoing global warming crisis, there has been growing interest in hydrogen energy as an environmentally friendly energy source to achieve carbon neutrality. A stable and large-scale hydrogen storage infrastructure is essential to satisfy the increasing demand for hydrogen energy. Particularly for hydrogen refueling stations located in urban areas, technological solutions are required to ensure the stability of adjacent civil structures in the event of hydrogen storage tank explosions. In this study, a numerical analysis using equivalent trinitrotoluene (TNT) and Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) models was employed to analyze the dynamic behavior of the ground in response to hydrogen gas explosions in shallow underground hydrogen storage facilities and to assess the stability of nearby structures against explosion effects. According to the simulation results, it was possible to ensure the structural stability of nearby buildings and tunnel structures by maintaining a minimum separation distance. In the case of nearby building structures, a distance of at least 6 to 7 m is needed to be maintained from the underground hydrogen storage facility to prevent explosion damage from a hydrogen gas explosion. For nearby tunnel structures, a distance of at least 10 m is required to ensure structural stability.

Effect of aging on damage properties and reaction characteristics of typical 2,4‐dinitroanisole (DNAN)‐based melt‐cast explosives under low‐velocity impact

AbstractThe effects of aging degradation on the safety performance of typical 2,4‐dinitroanisole (DNAN)‐based melt‐cast explosives (MCEs) were studied. An in‐house‐designed low‐velocity impact device and a closed bomb were used to study the effects of aging on the fragmentation and reactivity of DNAN‐based MCEs under impact damage. The test results showed that after artificially accelerated aging of the bare grain, the mass decreased, volume increased, and compressive strength increased, resulting in physical defects such as cracks and debonding occurring inside the explosive. The degree of damage to the DNAN‐based melt‐cast explosive increased with an increase in the impact velocity. Artificial aging increases the degree of damage and impact sensitivity of explosives. The relationship between the degree of fragmentation and the impact velocity under different aging times was revealed through the frangibility factor (FFE) and dynamic activity (L). The microcracks formed by DNAN sublimation and aging significantly affected the sample reaction violence.

Numerical analysis of the damage and failure behavior of polymer-bonded explosives using discrete element method

Numerical analysis of the damage and failure behavior of polymer-bonded explosives using discrete element method

Influence of sensor installation tilt angle on explosion shock wave pressure test

The surface reflection pressure sensor installation flatness will directly lead to the change of the explosion shock wave pressure propagation and distribution law, affecting the test results accuracy, and the test data cannot accurately evaluate the ammunition explosion damage power. In this study, the numerical simulation model of the explosion shock wave pressure propagation and distribution law was established by using the explosive mechanics simulation software, and the pressure distribution law was studied when the sensors installation angles were 0°, 4°, 8°, 12°, −4°, −8°, and −12° respectively. Combined with analysis of the pressure peak value and the pressure evolution nephogram at different measuring points, it is clarified that the positive tilt angle of the sensor installation has an enhancing effect on the pressure peak, while the negative tilt angle has a attenuation effect on the pressure peak. Based on the calculation function formula of the surface reflected pressure peak value in the national defense engineering design code, the surface reflected pressure peak value correction function formula is established by introducing the sensor installation angle correction effect. This study results provide a theoretical basis for the design of ammunition explosion shock wave pressure engineering test scheme and the test data validity verification.

Research on explosive damage effects of tungsten fiber-reinforced Zr-based bulk metallic glass matrix composite shell

To expand the application range of explosive fragmentation projectiles, tungsten fiber-reinforced bulk metallic glass matrix composite (WF/Zr-MG) is used as the warhead shell in static explosion experiments, and is compared with 40CrMnSiB steel shells. The experimental results showed that, compared with 40CrMnSiB steel shells, the fragments produced by the WF/Zr-MG shell exhibit a larger aspect ratio, smaller average size, and a greater number of fragments at distances of 3 m and 5 m, with an equal number of fragments at a distance of 8 m. Theoretical calculations showed that the initial velocity of the fragments produced by the WF/Zr-MG shell is lower, but their velocity decay is slower, resulting in a greater determined damage range. The research results showed that WF/Zr-MG can be used as a shell material for explosive fragmentation projectiles, which can enhance their destructive power.

Evolution of particle morphology of quartz sand during one-dimensional compression

Particle breakage alters particle size, shape, surface roughness, and co-ordination number, which in turn changes macro-mechanical behaviour including compressibility and shear strength. This study conducted a series of one-dimensional (1D) compression tests on quartz sands with different initial void ratios, ending the tests at various stress levels up to 13.5 MPa. The size and shape of particles were quantified using a dynamic particle shape analyser, while the surface roughness of thirty randomly selected particles for each sample was measured by an optical interferometer and quantified using flattened root-mean-square roughness (RMSf). The results demonstrate that a unique normal compression line is defined due to extensive particle breakage, with denser sample exhibiting a higher yield stress. Prior to yielding (vertical stress < 6 MPa), the changes in the three shape descriptors are limited, as the primary particle damage modes are abrasion and grinding. Conversely, at high stress level, a greater number of particles undergo splitting or explosive damage, leading to the creation of more irregularly shaped particles. The occurrence of plastic deformation at particle asperities under one-dimensional compression is identified, resulting in a decrease in surface roughness. This study highlights the significant role of the initial void ratio in shaping the evolution of surface roughness of particles under 1D compression.

Reenacting the hydrogen tank explosion of a fuel-cell electric vehicle: An experimental study

With the world-wide decision to reduce carbon emissions through the Paris Agreement (2015), the demand for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles has been increasing. Although hydrogen is not a toxic gas, it has a wide flammable range (4–75%) and can explode due to static electricity. Therefore, studies on hydrogen safety are urgently required. In this study, an explosion was induced by applying fire to the lower part of a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Out of three compressed hydrogen storage tanks installed in the vehicle, two did not have hydrogen fuel, and one was filled with compressed gaseous hydrogen of 700 bar and forcedly deactivated its temperature-activated pressure relief device. The side-on overpressure transducers were installed by distance in main directions to measure the side-on overpressure generated by the vehicle explosion. A 10 m-long protective barrier was installed, on which reflected overpressure, displacement, and acceleration were measured to examine the effect of attenuation of explosion damage in the event of an accident. The vehicle exploded approximately 11 min after ignition, generating a blast wave, fireballs, and fragments. The results of the experiment showed that the protective barrier could almost completely block explosive pressure, smoke, and scattering generated during an explosion. Through Probit function analysis, the probabilities of an accident occurring were derived based on peak overpressure, peak impulse, and scattering. The results of this study can be used to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for firefighters as the base data for setting the initial operation location and deriving the safe separation distance.

Nonlinear fitting based energetic material explosive shock wave pressure action evaluation model

There are many varieties of new developed energetic materials with different capabilities of shock wave pressure action. In order to effectively evaluate the explosive damage power of diverse energetic materials and to make the evaluation model universal, the TNT is used as the basic material, and the evaluation model of the explosive pressure action of energetic materials is established in this paper based on the nonlinear fitting method. Explosion tests of TNT with different charge quantities are carried out under the same test conditions, and the shock wave surface reflection pressure data at different proportional distances are obtained. The evaluation model between the peak pressure of the TNT shock wave and the proportional distances is constructed based on the explosion similarity ratio formula using the nonlinear fitting function. The prediction accuracy of the established model is verified by the typical TNT charge test, and the proposed model is applied to evaluate the explosive pressure effect of energetic materials. Experimental results show that the predication accuracy of the evaluation model for evaluating the explosion shock wave pressure action of energetic materials based on the nonlinear fitting method is higher than 86.5067%, which can meet the requirements of the engineering applications.