Guidelines for the design of multiple-use explosion containment vessels based on the understanding of the strain growth phenomenon

The strain growth phenomenon is an unsolved fundamental problem in the dynamic elastic response of containment vessels subjected to internal blast loading, which may seriously influence the design of multiple-use containment vessels. Because strain growth may cause increased local structural deformation in multiple-use containment vessels, it is important to consider this phenomenon when designing multiple-use containment vessels. In this paper, the mechanisms of strain growth, its influencing factors, and control methods are presented. Based on the understanding of the strain growth phenomenon, the guidelines and procedures for the design of multiple-use containment vessels are proposed. Employing the design guidelines, application examples are presented to demonstrate how to control strain growth in containment vessels. Because the strain growth phenomenon has not been considered in the design method or design code for multiple-use explosion containment vessels, understanding of the strain growth mechanisms and the proposed design guidelines may contribute to the safe design of containment vessels.