Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Vol. 51 No.5, pp.755-771, 2014.

Structural Impact Response Characteristics of an Explosion-Resistant Profiled Blast Walls in Arctic Conditions

Author(s): Sohn, Jung Min, Kim, Sang Jin, Seong, Dong Jin, Kim, Bong Ju, Ha, Yeon Chul, Seo, Jung Kwan and Paik, Jeom Kee

Abstract:

Environmental changes, especially global climate change, are creating new challenges to the development of the Arctic regions, which have substantial energy resources. And attention to offshore structures has increased with oil and gas development. The structural impact response of an explosion-resistant profiled blast walls normally changes when it operates in low temperatures. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the structural response of blast walls in low temperature and suggest useful guidelines for understanding the characteristics of the structural impact response of blast walls subjected to hydrocarbon explosions in Arctic conditions. The target temperatures were based on the average summer temperature (-20 degrees C), the average winter temperature (-40 degrees C) and the coldest temperature recorded (approximately -68 degrees C) in the Arctic. The nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to design an explosion-resistant profiled blast wall for use in Arctic conditions based on the behaviour of material properties at low temperatures established by performing a tensile test. The conclusions and implications of the findings are discussed.