Case Study of Structural Modifications to Existing Explosives Manufacturing Facility for Enhanced Capabilities and Increased Personnel Safety

摘要

The AMC-R 385-100 Safety Manual requires that facility modernization efforts involving an increase in explosive limits include provisions to upgrade existing facilities to meet explosion resistant construction criteria set forth in TM 5-1300, 'Structures To Resist The Effects of Accidental Explosions.' Through a Safety Enhancement Modernization project for a Lead Styphnate and Tetracene manufacturing facility, analysis was conducted to determine the structural sufficiency of the kettle room reinforced concrete walls (RCW) to withstand the gas and shock pressures generated by increased explosive quantities while providing Protection Category I per TM 5-1300 for facility operating personnel. The RCW were analyzed at 2 degrees deflection as allowed for Protection Category I and were found to be insufficient to provide personnel protection during an incident of proposed increased explosive limits. The RCW were then analyzed to determine their explosive resistance in accordance with current TM construction criteria. The walls were found to have structural sufficiency adequate for an explosive limit significantly below the proposed modernization quantities and at no better than Protection Category IV. Different methods were considered which would strengthen the walls to current TM standards for increased explosive limits and provide increased personnel protection. The considered solution is a partial rebuild of the facility that will be designed in accordance with the 1990 edition of TM 5-1300.