Disaster simulation for chemical plant (Effect of sequential explosion on pipe considering the cumulative damage)

Abstract

When an explosion occurs in chemical plants, the explosion pressure leads to collapse of pipes and equipment. Even if pipes are not destroyed immediately by the explosion pressure, the cumulative damage caused by the sequential explosion pressure will bring about collapse. Therefore, the disaster simulation program, which takes the cumulative damage into consideration, has been developed. In this program, three-dimensional explosion pressure applied to pipes can be calculated, and the equivalent stress acting on the connecting bolts of pipes can be analyzed. The cumulative damage is estimated by use of the obtained stress. Manson-Coffin's rule and Miner's rule. As an example, the cumulative damage over time for pipes in a model plant has been analyzed. As a result, it is shown that the proposed computer program is very useful for reliability evaluation and installation of pipes in chemical plants.