• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.713-727
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• 2018

Thin-walled mental tubes under lateral crushing are desirable and reliable energy absorbers against impact or blast loads. However, the early formations of plastic hinges in the thin cylindrical wall limit the energy absorption performance. This study investigates the energy absorption performance of a simple, light and efficient energy absorber called the ring stiffened tube. Due to the increase of section modulus of tube wall and the restraining effect of the T-stiffener flange, key energy absorption parameters (peak crushing force, energy absorption and specific energy absorption) have been significantly improved against the empty tube. Its potential application in the offshore blast wall design has also been investigated. It is proposed to replace the blast wall endplates at the supports with the energy absorption devices that are made up of the ring stiffened tubes and springs. An analytical model based on beam vibration theory and virtual work theory, in which the boundary conditions at each support are simplified as a translational spring and a rotational spring, has been developed to evaluate the blast mitigation effect of the proposed design scheme. Finite element method has been applied to validate the analytical model. Comparisons of key design criterions such as panel deflection and energy absorption against the traditional design demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design in blast alleviation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2016

A finite element dynamic simulation is performed to gain an insight about the stiffened blast wall structures subjected to blast loading. The simulation was verified using qualitative and quantitative comparisons for different materials. Based on in-depth examination of blast simulation recordings, dynamic behaviors occurred in the blast wall against the explosion are determined. Subsequent simulation results present that the blast wall made of the high performance steel performs much better in the shock absorption. In this paper, the existing finite element shock analysis using the LS-DYNA program is further extended to study the dynamic response of the stiffened blast wall made of the high-performance steel considering high strain-rate effects. The numerical results for various parameters were verified by comparing different material models with dynamic effects occurred in the stiffened blast wall from the explosive simulation.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.380-387
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• 2014

Piper Alpha disaster drew attention to the damage likely to arise from explosions and fires on an offshore platform. And great concerns have been increased to prevent these hazards. Blast wall is one of the passive safety systems; it plays a key part of minimizing the consequences. However, a buckling due to explosion loads is a factor which can reduce the strength of blast wall. The buckling often occurs between web and flange at the center of blast wall. This study aims to find a solution for reinforcing its strength by installing a flat plate at the spot where the buckling occurs. First of all, ANSYS finite element method is adopted to numerically compute the structural resistance characteristic of blast wall by using a quasi-static approach. Sequentially, the impact response characteristics of blast wall are investigated the effect on thickness of flat plate by using ANSYS/LS-DYNA. Finally, pressure-impulse diagrams (P-I diagram) are presented to permit easy assessment of structural response characteristics of stiffened blast wall. In this study, effective use is made to increase structural intensity. of blast wall and acquired important insights have been documented.