Recommended Finite Element Formulations for the Analysis of Offshore Blast Walls in an Explosion

Abstract

This study suggests relevant finite element (FE) formulations for the structural analysis of offshore blast walls subjected to blast loadings due to hydrocarbon explosions. The present blast wall model adopted from HSE (2003) consists of a corrugated panel and supporting members, and was modelled with shell, thick-shell, and solid element combinations in LS-DYNA, an explicit finite element analysis (FEA) solver. Stainless and mild steels were employed as materials for the blast wall model, with consideration of strain rate effect throughout ten (10) pulse pressure load regimes. The obtained FEA results were validated by experimental data from HSE (2003) with decent agreement. In the present study, recommended FE formulations with additional hourglass control functions were widely discussed from the perspectives of solution accuracy and computational cost based on a statistical approach. The obtained outcomes could be used for the structural analysis and design of offshore blast walls in the estimations of maximum and permanent deformations under blast loadings.

Numerical Investigation on the Capability of Modeling Approaches for Composite Cylinders under Low-Velocity Impact Loading

“…The 8-point hexahedron solid element possesses a specific geometry and comprises eight integration points [50]. The fully integrated quadratic 8-node solid element features nodal rotation and includes six degrees of freedom at each node, with 14 integration points [51]. On the other hand, the reduced integrated solid element is an 8-node hexahedron solid element that incorporates tri-linear shape functions and utilizes one integration point located in the middle of each element [51].…”

“…The fully integrated quadratic 8-node solid element features nodal rotation and includes six degrees of freedom at each node, with 14 integration points [51]. On the other hand, the reduced integrated solid element is an 8-node hexahedron solid element that incorporates tri-linear shape functions and utilizes one integration point located in the middle of each element [51].…”

Analytical and numerical modelling of high-velocity impact on multilayer alumina/aramid fiber composite ballistic shields: Improvement in modelling approaches

“…This formulation relies on Reissner-Mindlin theorythe stress state is planar, so the element may change its thickness only when membrane stress is applied [43]. Moreover, an 8-node brick element was used to obtain a more realistic simulation with regard to element bending [44]. The element dimensions were chosen as 1 � 1 � 0.55 mm [23], and the Matzenmiller, Lubliner and Taylor constitutive law was adopted [45], with the parameters shown in Table 7.…”