ASSEMBLY AND ANALYSIS OF FRAGMENTATION DATA FOR LIQUID PROPELLANT VESSELS

The objective of this work was to assemble and analyze fragmentation data for exploding liquid propellant vessels. These data were to be retrieved from reports of tests and accidents, including measurements or estimates of blast effects, fragment velocities, masses, shapes, and ranges. Correlations were to be made, if possible, of fragmentation effects with type of accident, type and quantity of propellant, blast yield, etc. A significant amount of data was retrieved from a series of tests conducted for measurement of blast and fireball effects of liquid propellant explosions (Project PYRO), a few well-documented accident reports, and a series of tests to determine autoignition properties of mixing liquid propellants. The data were reduced and fitted to various statistical functions. Comparisons were made with methods of prediction for blast yield, initial fragment velocities, and fragment range. Reasonably good correlation was achieved. Methods presented in the report allow prediction of fragment patterns, given type and quantity of propellant, type of accident, and time of propellant mixing. However, more work must be done before the results of this study can be easily applied to estimation of damaging effects of fragments from exploding liquid propellant vessels.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Managers: C. David Miller and R.D. Siewert, Aerospace Safety Research and Data Institute, Lewis Research Center.
• Corporate Authors:

  Southwest Research Institute

  6220 Culebra Road, P.O. Drawer 28510
  San Antonio, TX  United States  78228-0510
• Authors:
  • BAKER, W E
  • Parr, V B
  • Bessey, R L
  • Cox, P A
• Publication Date: 1974-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 235 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hazardous materials; Safety; Tank cars
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051913
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA CR-134538 Contr Rpt
• Contract Numbers: NAS 3-16009
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1976 12:00AM