Devising an Integrated Procedure for Assessing Fragmentation Effects

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative analysis of Russian and foreign investigations in fragmentation effects and methods for assessing parameters of fragments formed by explosions of the equipment used for storing hazardous substances. Based on the results of the analysis, a conclusion was made as to the necessity of developing an integrated procedure for assessing fragmentation effects. The procedure is to be implemented as an ordered systematized algorithm comprising the analyzed methods for calculating individual parameters of fragments. The procedure devised was tested during the accident at the Cosmo Oil petroleum refinery in Japan, on March 11, 2011. Practical relevance of the procedure proposed is justified by the calculation results agreeing with the accident events. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.