Cost–benefit analysis of corrugated blast walls

Abstract

Blast walls are generally used to reduce explosion consequences as a form of passive mitigation for offshore installations. Currently, three main types of blast wall are used; flat, stiffened panel and corrugated. Given its particular geometric characteristics, corrugated blast walls are better energy-absorbing systems than other types of blast wall. Thus, corrugated blast walls are often installed in offshore installations to protect against hydrocarbon explosions. However, limited information is available on the influence of parameters of corrugated blast walls such as breadth, height, angle and thickness on lateral deflection, as well as cost. Hence, optimised parameters that consider the comparison between damage (deformation) and cost must be determined for corrugated blast walls. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of design parameters on the nonlinear structural characteristics and cost of corrugated blast walls in association with cost-benefit analysis. A dynamic finite element analysis was performed by analysis system/Livermore software-dynamics (ANSYS/LS-DYNA) by varying wall thickness, breadth, height and angle of corrugation. Design guidance is offered with an example of how to determine the parameters of a blast wall.

Keywords:

• offshore installation
• hydrocarbon explosion
• corrugated blast wall
• nonlinear structural response
• cost–benefit analysis

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Leading Foreign Research Institute Recruitment Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and future Planning (MSIP) (grant No. 2014040731). This study was undertaken at the Lloyd's Register Foundation Research Centre of Excellence at Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF), a UK registered charity and sole shareholder of Lloyd's Register Group Ltd, invests in science, engineering and technology for public benefit, worldwide.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Ministry of Science, ICT and future Planning (MSIP) [grant number 2014040731].