Experimental Investigations of the Strengthening Effects of CFRP for Thin-Walled Storage Tanks under Dynamic Loads

Abstract

In this study, the strengthening effects of different lamination conditions on carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) for thin-walled storage tanks (TSTs) subjected to internal pressure under dynamic loads were experimentally investigated. A total of three small-scale models of TSTs were used for the investigation, including non-strengthened specimens, specimens strengthened with 0° CFRP layers, and specimens strengthened with 0°/90° CFRP layers. There were two types of tests for every specimen: the static and dynamic tests. A new experimental method using small steel balls was applied to create internal pressure in the TSTs. The results show that small steel balls could be used to increase the internal pressure compared to a normal liquid. Furthermore, the similarity rules for small-scale TSTs with small steel balls inside were also studied to consider the applicability of the models. The experimental results indicated that the CFRP layer could effectively restrain both static and dynamic hoop strains in the TSTs. Moreover, the CFRP layer could also remarkably reduce the impact of sloshing on the TST shells. The 0° CFRP layer proved to have better effects than the 0°/90° CFRP layers on the strengthening of the TSTs against dynamic loads.