BLAST RESISTANCE OF CHECK AND GATE VALVES
Abstract
The objective of this task was to determine the blast resistance of standard check and gate valves which may be used in protective shelter equipment and utility systems. To accomplish this objective, commercially available 3 inch 200 psi WOG (water, oil, or gas) bronze check and gate valves were subjected to transient air pressures to about 390 psi (the maximum capability of the Laboratory at the time of the tests) and to transient hydraulic pressures to about 2000 psi. Subsequent visual examination, operational tests, and hydrostatic leak tests revealed no damage to the valves, and test data indicated relatively low magnitudes of strain, which leads to the conclusion that standard check and gate valves can withstand transient loads far in excess of their rated capacity. In order to determine whether or not the valves may be dynamically loaded when subjected to a nuclear blast wave, the natural frequencies of the valves were obtained and compared to the rise time of nuclear explosions. This showed that if a blast wave reaches the valve without attenuation, dynamic loading could occur. If, however, the wave must propagate through a piping system to reach the valve, the wave front may be relatively unchanged, or it may steepen and possibly increase the dynamic loading, or it may be attenuated so that little or no dynamic loading would occur. In the case of shocks generated by the test equipment, it was shown that dynamic loading was not applied. Because the most severe loading conditions could not be produced by the test equipment, the exact configuration in which valves are to be used must be considered before recommendations can be made as to their blast resistance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0626831
Entities
People
- J. C. King
- K. R. Bockman
- R. S. Chapler
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center