Experimental-theoretical correlation on the containment of explosions in closed cylindrical vessels

Approximate containment design formulas are developed for prediction of the maximum wall deformation of a cylindrical vessel due to detonation of a centrally located bare spherical high-explosive charge. Vessel wall response due to both the initial impulse loading and the long-term pressure build-up is considered. Formulas, which incorporate a rigid-plastic material model including strain hardening and strain rate sensitivity, are written in terms of elementary functions suitable for containment design calculations. Wall response predictions compare favorably with the results of a limited experimental program performed on mild steel containment vessels closed with massive end caps.