Dynamic response of steel pipe rack structures subjected to explosion loads

This paper describes a parametric study of the dynamic behaviour of steel pipe rack structures subjected to explosion loading. The pipe rack design is assumed to be a multi-planar lattice girder consisting of rectangular or square hollow sections. Numerical analysis with the finite element method was performed on a series of 54 pipe racks in total, varying parameters such as mass distribution and aspect ratio. The study provides a deeper understanding - and forms the basis for a more accurate prediction - of the dynamic response of multi-planar lattice girder structures such as steel pipe racks.