RR333 - An experimental investigation of bund wall overtopping and dynamic pressures on the bund wall following catastrophic failure of a storage vessel

The Methodology and Standards Development Unit of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has commissioned Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to construct a laboratory facility and to conduct a series of tests simulating the sudden failure of a tank such as is used industrially for the storage of hazardous liquids. Such failures are rare. However, history has shown that when they do occur a large proportion of the liquid is likely to escape over the surrounding bund wall or embankment, even if the force of the wave impact does not damage the retaining structures. This report describes the background to the LJMU Project, describes the new test facility and records the results of the investigation. The results will be of value to HSE in the performance of its statutory duties, and may be of value to tank storage operators in their consideration of the extent and severity of foreseeable major accidents, in their risk assessments and in their consideration of reasonably practicable measures to reduce those risks.

• Visit the RR333 report
• Visit the RR333 appendices

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