Accession Number:

AD0900487

Title:

Blast and Fragment Hazards from Bursting High Pressure Tanks

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL ORDNANCE LAB WHITE OAK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Pittman, Joseph F.

Report Date:

1972-05-17

Pagination or Media Count:

154.0

Abstract:

Five pressure vessels that are used in the flight hardware of spacecraft were inflated until they burst. Airblast and fragment parameters were measured to evaluate the hazards from the accidental rupture of such tanks during their handling, checkout, and use. Tank volumes ranged up to 6 cu ft, skin thicknesses up to 0.368 inches, and burst pressures up to 8,000 psi. Airblast results showed that tank rupture generated shockwave overpressures and impulses at high enough levels to be a significant hazard to personnel and equipment. Rupture blast energy could not be equated to a single TNT blast yield. The tanks burst into as many as 60 fragments, some weighing several pounds. These fragments attained maximum velocities of about 1400 ftsec.

Descriptors:

• *PRESSURE VESSELS
• THICKNESS
• SPACECRAFT
• HAZARDS
• FRAGMENTATION
• STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES
• SHOCK WAVES
• HANDLING
• BLAST
• DAMAGE CONTROL
• CHECKOUT PROCEDURES
• FAILURE(MECHANICS)
• PRESSURIZATION
• EXPLOSIONS
• RUPTURE
• NITROGEN
• PRESSURE
• SAFETY

Subject Categories:

• Containers and Packaging

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE