Experimental investigation on the dynamic reactions of concrete walls coated with blast-resistant materials to hydrogen explosions

Hydrogen energy, with its distinctive advantages, holds immense potential for application and development, and is anticipated to be a pivotal force in driving the energy revolution. In the event of a future hydrogen leak, ignited by a spark at refueling stations, storage yards, or production facilities, concrete walls equipped with explosion-proof coatings are strategically positioned to mitigate the effects of blast waves, thereby safeguarding the surrounding structures. In this study, various explosion-proof coatings are evaluated and the strains on the concrete walls are analyzed which subjected to the impact of hydrogen-air mixture explosions. Results show that the pure polyurea coatings provide a basic level of protection, while high-elasticity polyurea coatings offer enhanced wall protection. With the pure polyurea coating, the maximum tensile strain at the center of the concrete block in the horizontal direction reached ∼9000 με, whereas the maximum negative peak was −12000 με and the positive peak exceeded 20000 με in the vertical direction. Both the maximum tensile and compressive strains occurred on the back of the concrete block, with the high-elasticity polyurea coating on the front, in the vertical direction, when subjected to 15% and 20% hydrogen mixtures, respectively. Without any coating, the concrete block first fractured on the back in the vertical direction, then on the front in the vertical direction, and finally on the front in the horizontal direction. The areas on the back of the concrete block in the vertical direction and on the front in the horizontal direction are more susceptible to tensile failure under the impact of hydrogen explosions.