EXPLOSION-RESISTANT WALL CONSTRUCTION

Abstract: A wall construction with increased resistance to overpressure, such as overpressure as a consequence of explosions, comprises an essentially flat panel with a wall panel that is welded to adjoining structural components. The adjoining structural components are provided with at least one stop element having a supporting face facing the wall panel, which supporting face can be brought into interaction with the wall panel on deformation of the wall panel under the influence of an overpressure on that side thereof that faces away from the stop element.

Description: Explosion-resistant wall construction The invention relates to a wall construction with increased resistance to overpressure, for example to explosions, comprising an essentially flat panel with a wall panel that is welded to adjoining structural components. Such a wall construction is disclosed in US-A 4 632 041, in which an explosion chamber is described. This known wall construction has a flat wall panel that is welded to a cylindrical wall with a number of triangular support pieces thereon. The purpose of these support pieces is to restrict deformations of the weld joint between the cylindrical wall and the wall panel, which deformations can be the consequence of an explosion in the explosion chamber. The disadvantage of the known wall construction is that high stresses and deformations can arise in the weld seams, especially between the wall panel and the support pieces, as a result of which cracks can be produced and the wall construction can fail even under slight bulging. The extent of the bulging is virtually proportional to the resistance of the wall to lateral pressure. The aim of the invention is to provide a wall construction that does not have these disadvantages. Said aim is achieved in that the adjoining structural components are provided with at least one stop element having a supporting face facing the wall panel, which supporting face can be brought into interaction with the wall panel on deformation of the latter under the influence of an overpressure on that side of the wall panel that faces away from the stop element. When subjected to stress by overpressure the wall construction according to the invention can undergo substantial deformation without this resulting in failure. Specifically, the wall panel can acquire a curvature such that it starts to act as a membrane. The resulting membrane stresses can be absorbed by the wall panel exceedingly well. The stop element is preferably located at the place where the part of the wall panel adjoins a weld. This prevents the occurrence of excessive flexural deformation at the location of the weld, which could easily lead to failure of the weld. The supporting face of the stop element can be located some distance away from the wall panel in connection with production tolerances. If necessary, this distance can subsequently be reduced by means of filler plates. The stop elements thus also have the advantage that they can be fitted to an existing wall construction at a later date. The stress pattern in the deformed wall panel can be favourably influenced in an embodiment in which the distance of the supporting face of the stop element from the wall panel increases towards the structural component adjoining said supporting face. In this context the supporting face of the stop element is preferably curved. In order to leave space for the weld bead that is present between the wall panel and the adjoining structural components, the stop element can have a recess such that the supporting face terminates some distance away from the adjoining structural component. Depending on the support required for the wall panel, multiple support elements can be provided regular distances apart. A continuous support is also possible. The stop elements also reduce the shear stresses in the panel and therefore also the risk of failure as a consequence of shear stresses. An illustrative embodiment of the wall construction according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the outside of an explosion chamber. Figure 2 shows a section through the wall construction used in the explosion chamber according to Figure 1, in the undeformed state. Figure 3 shows a section through the wall construction according to the invention in the deformed state. Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of the deformed wall construction according to Figure 3. The explosion chamber 1 shown in Figure 1 has a wall construction 2 according to the invention that is welded all round to adjoining structural components, which are constructed as walls 3. The explosion chamber also has an access door, which is not shown, as well as other facilities that are required with such a chamber. As is shown in Figure 2, the wall construction according to the invention has a wall panel 4, to the inside of which reinforcing bars, for example T-bars 5, are welded in the customary manner. Stop elements 6 according to the invention are fitted on the outside of the wall panel. These stop elements 6 are welded to the adjoining structural components 3 and have a curved supporting face 7. As soon as an explosion occurs in the explosion chamber, high pressure is exerted on the wall panel 4 causing it to deform into the state shown in Figure 3. The reinforcing bars 5 also deform. The wall panel 4 is able to absorb substantial forces in this deformed state since it is exposed to membrane stresses in its surface. As is known, a panel is well able to withstand such membrane stresses. In addition, the support bars 5 of course have a supporting function. As can readily be seen in the detail in Figure 4, the wall panel 4 has come into contact with the supporting face 7 of stop element 6 during deformation. In this context the curvature of said supporting face 7 has been so chosen that the wall panel 4 has been gradually bent outwards from the weld 8. As a result excessive flexural stresses, especially in the outermost fibres of the wall panel 4, are avoided. It is also important that the weld 8 is hardly exposed to flexural stresses, as a result of which the risk of failure of the weld is largely prevented. The advantage of the wall construction of the invention is that the stop elements 6 can easily be fitted to an existing explosion chamber at a later date. In this context it is necessary only to weld the support elements 6 to the structural components adjoining the wall panel 4, such as the walls 3.

Claims: Claims 1. Wall construction with increased resistance to overpressure, such as overpressure as a consequence of explosions, comprising an essentially flat panel with a wall panel (4) that is welded to adjoining structural components (3), characterised in that the adjoining structural components (3) are provided with at least one stop element (6) having a supporting face (7) facing the wall panel (4), which supporting face (7) can be brought into interaction with the wall panel (4) on deformation of the wall panel (4) under the influence of an overpressure on that side thereof that faces away from the stop element (6). 2. Wall construction according to Claim 1, wherein the stop element (6) is located at the place where the part of the wall panel (4) adjoins a weld (8). 3. Wall construction according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting face (7) of the stop element (6) is located some distance away from the wall panel (4). 4. Wall construction according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the distance of the supporting face (7) of the stop element (6) from the as yet undeformed wall panel (4) increases towards the structural component adjoining said supporting face (7). 5. Wall construction according to Claim 4, wherein the supporting face (7) of the stop element (6) is curved. 6. Wall construction according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop element (6) has a recess such that the supporting face (7) terminates some distance away from the adjoimng structural component (3). 7. Wall construction according to one of the preceding claims, wherein multiple support elements are provided regular distances apart.

Inventors: SCHILT ANDRE, SCHILT, ANDRE
Applicants: SCHILT ANDRE, TNO, NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK (TNO), SCHILT, ANDRE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: B65D90, E04B1