Design of silos for dust explosions: Determination of vent area sizes and explosion pressures. (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tascón, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 134(2017:Mar. 01)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Silo -- Dust explosion -- Venting -- Explosion loads -- Structural design -- Eurocode 1; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.12.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: DIN-Report 140 has been analysed and compared to EN 14491 and NFPA 68. Three different venting systems were considered to study the effects of inertia. Significant differences between the three methods have been detected. DIN-Report 140 imposes conservative values for vent areas of bursting panels. Practical recommendations are given for the design of vent areas in silos. Abstract: The "Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures – Part 4: Silos and tanks" EN 1991-4 includes dust explosions as an accidental action for load combination in some design situations. Venting is the most widely used method to mitigate the effects of explosions. The area size of the venting devices installed in the silo will determine the development of internal overpressures in the event of an explosion, and thus the structural design of the silo. Also, the inertia and the activation pressure of the venting elements can influence the explosion pressures. The Eurocode 1 suggests using the German DIN-Report 140 to design the venting devices. However, other methods exist, such as the European standard EN 14491 and the American standard NFPA 68, which were not specifically developed for silos. In this study, the DIN-Report 140 has been analysed by calculating a wide range of cases, including different silo dimensions, materials (barley and wheat flour) and values of inertia and activation pressure of the venting devices. Three types of venting systems have been considered: bursting panels, explosion doors and light-weight concrete slabs. In addition, the DIN-Report 140 has been compared with current European and American venting standards. The results obtained in this study indicate that there are marked differences between the three methods considered, and that vent areas calculated according to DIN-Report 140 for either bursting panels or explosion doors seem to be very conservative. Uncertainties and limitations of DIN-Report 140 have been detected and discussed. The final goals of this study are to provide guidance on the determination of explosion loads and to contribute to the development of a single common practice for venting in silos.