Numerical simulations of base isolated LNG storage tanks subjected to large commercial aircraft crash
Abstract LNG storage tanks are specified to be designed to withstand the impact of large commercial aircraft, while the existing studies refer to the safety assessment of the base isolated LNG storage tank are quite limited. At present firstly, the detailed finite element (FE) models of LNG storage tanks are established. Based on the scaled tests of RC slabs under the impact of deformable and non deformable projectiles, the numerical algorithm, constitutive model and the corresponding parameters of concrete are validated, which can both reproduce the behaviors of bending and punching shear failure potential induced by the aircraft impact. Then, the energy dissipation capacities and relative constitutive model of isolation systems are evaluated and validated. The reliable FE models of base isolated LNG storage tanks with three typical isolation systems are established Furthermore, by adopting the missile target coupled method, the dynamic responses and damage failure of tanks under aircraft impact are assessed, it derives that, (i) the fuselage and engines impact regions of tank wall are locally perforated and penetrated, the connection between the inner steel wall and deck is torn, and the safety of tanks is hard to be guaranteed; (ii) the selection isolation systems have sufficient lateral stiffness to resist the excessive global deformation of the base isolated LNG storage tanks under aircraft impact, different types of isolation systems and boundary conditions of tanks have slight influence on the local damage of tank wall. The present work could provide beneficial guidances for the design and safety assessment of the base isolated large scale LNG storage tanks under aircraft collisions.