Blast Load from a Butane Sphere

Question

Blast Load from a Butane Sphere

J1D (Structural)

(OP)

8 Aug 05 19:02

New structures are to be build in a distance about 150ft away from an existing Butane sphere (about 32ft dia and 30ft from ground to sphere center). The pressure, as per the client's experience is 1 psi. With a quick check I realized the pressure is huge for building walls.

I would like to ask the resource (design guide/code) for the blast design. Should the building walls resist the load or it is better to have a blast wall around?

Thanks for advice in advance.

JStephen (Mechanical) · Answer 1 · 2005-08-08 19:10:42

Is the 1 psi the blast pressure at 150'? Or is it the pressure in the sphere?

J1D (Structural) · Answer 2 · 2005-08-09 10:01:57

1 psi is the value to building walls. I know this is a rough number, the real pressure should be very distance sensitive. But we don't have this kind of study or data. I just realized that this pressure is about 10 times of the wind load.

dbuzz (Structural) · Answer 3 · 2005-08-09 21:54:05

Do you have access to Design of Blast Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities, published by ASCE?

J1D (Structural) · Answer 4 · 2005-08-10 09:59:25

No, is there a link to ASCE publications?

dik (Structural) · Answer 5 · 2005-08-10 13:45:46

The shock wave is reflective, generally and you should look at the skin pulling off, too.

Dik

dbuzz (Structural) · Answer 6 · 2005-08-10 20:30:38

http://www.pubs.asce.org/WWWdisplay.cgi?9704510

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