Numerical investigation on effects of steel I-section beams on the blast resistance of a stiffened steel tank under blast loading

The hazardous chemical storage tank faces a vital explosion risk, making reliability a critical concern. This study investigates the horizontal stiffening ring as an effective anti-blast measure to enhance the reliability of steel tanks under explosive conditions. Through numerical examination based on CONWEP model, we assessed the impact of vertical spacing between adjacent horizontal stiffening rings and their dimensions on the tank's blast resistance and overall structural integrity. The results suggest that a marked improvement in the tank's reliability and blast resistance with the addition of stiffening rings as horizontal stiffeners. The deformation shapes of the stiffened steel tank were less pronounced, and the radial displacements were smaller compared to an unstiffened steel tank. Additionally, the addition of horizontal stiffening rings enhanced the overall stiffness and stability of the steel tank. Furthermore, larger beam dimensions contribute to increased bending and shear stiffness, resulting in smaller deformations and better blast resistance of the steel tank.