Session: HT-02-01 Structures under Extreme Loading Conditions (Joint Topic)

Paper Number: 62086

Start Time: Thursday, July 15, 2021, 09:00 AM

62086 - Design and Test of Pressure Vessels for Contained Blast and Fragment Impact 

A special subset of pressures vessels are required to fully contain internal explosive blasts for commercial and government agencies conducting blast-related research and testing.  In some cases these blast chambers must also safely contain the impact of high-speed fragments that may be created from cased munitions and devices.  Both of these loading conditions require specific analysis methods, for example penetration mechanics and specialized dynamic finite element simulation.  Careful attention must also be paid to the materials and construction of these blast chambers, which typically utilize very thick steel plate, large forgings and pressings, and thorough weld procedure and inspection development.  Beside the typical steel pressure vessel body, many ports are needed in such vessels, including those that house thick windows.  Fatigue analysis is also conducted, using the predicted stress states, to ensure the pressure vessel will survive the required number of tests.  Due to the potentially hazardous operation of the vessel, they must also undergo extensive post-construction testing to verify their safety and to validate the design/analysis approach. 

 

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has designed, constructed, and tested many blast chambers in the last 30 years.  This paper will discuss the general approach, and some of the specialized work needed for this class of vessel.  To illustrate the different steps specific examples will be provided, which discuss the challenges and potential pitfalls.  For example, the design of entry doorways, their opening and closing methods, and safety interlocks will be discussed.  Selection of transparency materials, and the choice of materials and thickness will be included.  Typical test methods will be described and data obtained during recent projects, such as blast test strain fields and high speed video images of impact, will be included to demonstrate results.

Presenting Author: James Mathis Southwest Research Institute

Authors:

James Mathis Southwest Research Institute
Scott Mullin Southwest Research Institute
Greg Wattis Southwest Research Institute
Laura Hunt Southwest Research Institute
Steve Beissel Southwest Research Institute