Model road-tank metal vessels subject to internal explosion or static penetration

Abstract

Thin-walled tubes, having hemi-spherical ends and four symmetrically placed stiffening rings to model a typical road transport tank container, were subjected to a mechanical loading from either: (i) an axial line or point charge of explosive, or (ii) static penetration from the outside by a punch to determine their plastic deformation characteristics. The vessels were examined when: (a) nominally empty, (b) air pressurized, and (c) almost completely full of water. Results for a range of tests in which the vessels were not stiffened are also reported and this facilitates useful comparison between the stiffened and unstiffened cases.