Finite-Element Analysis of Cryogenic Pressure Vessels Under Blast Loading

Abstract: The behavior of cryogenic double-walled pressure vessels, such as thoseused in space launch vehicle infrastructure, under blast loading is a somewhatunderstudied topic. This is of interest due its implications on, among otherthings, launch site design and safety in the event of a launch vehicle failure.The detonation of a 100 kg charge of TNT at a distance of 1 m from a simplifiedmodel of a horizontal cryogenic (double-walled) pressure vessel was simulatedusing Ansys Mechanical and AUTODYN. As a result, the inner and outershells of the pressure vessel underwent significant deformation which, in thecase of the outer shell, reached one third of its radius. No rupture occurred.Various other structural parameters, such as von Mises equivalent stress, strain,and element velocity were also studied. The results presented in this reportimply that cylindrical cryogenic pressure vessels are highly resistant to blastoverpressure, but does not take surrounding piping, valves, supports, and other infrastructure into account.