Analysis of structural response of storage tanks subject to synergistic blast and fire loads

• Published in: Journal of loss prevention in the process industries Vol. 80; p. 104891
• Main Authors: Li, Xiaofeng, Chen, Guohua, Khan, Faisal, Lai, En, Amyotte, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Blast; Domino effect; Fire; Storage tank failure; Structural response; Synergistic effect; Structural response; Storage tank failure; Synergistic effect; Blast; Domino effect; Fire
• ISSN: 0950-4230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2022.104891

Domino effect occurrence is a common event in hydrocarbon storage tank farms. Most of these occurrences are caused by the combined effects of fire and explosion. To ensure safety against domino effect occurrence, it is important to understand the synergistic effect of overpressure load in the presence of heat load. This study proposes a methodology to analyze the structural response of storage tanks for a blast following a fire. The methodology considers simultaneously the high temperature effect caused by fire as well as the high strain rate effect of blast. Based on the proposed methodology, a numerical model is established to investigate the dynamic response process of steel storage tanks. The model is used to analyze a range of scenarios. The results confirm that the high temperature weakens the tank wall and causes the tank wall to absorb more energy from the blast wave. This study provides a deeper understanding of damage effects of storage tanks caused by combined loading of fire and blast. •A new methodology to analyze the structural response of storage tanks under synergistic heat and blast load is presented.•A new model integrating FDS and ANSYS to dynamically simulate tank response is established.•Small-scale experiments were carried out to demonstrate the validity of the numerical method.•The study confirms in quantitative terms how synergistic loading is the main causation of domino effects.