Dynamic response and safety assessment of propylene tower subjected to blasting vibration

This paper investigates the dynamic response and assesses the safety of a propylene tower subjected to blasting vibrations. A group of monitoring experiments on the response of the tower to blasting vibrations was carried out to this end. A model of a cantilever beam was used for the response along the horizontal direction and that of a strut for along the vertical direction. The theoretical and measured displacements were consistent in terms of time history curves and peak values. The design spectrum of the tower suitable for sustaining blasting vibrations was then proposed and verified, and its safety was assessed in combination with local requirements on seismic design. The results show that the first six modes of response should be considered under blasting vibrations in the horizontal direction, instead of the first three modes as in the case of an earthquake. The first three modes should be considered under blasting vibrations in the vertical direction. Owing to the importance higher modes in this scenario, the shear should be taken as the primary object of evaluation when assessing the safety of a tall propylene tower subjected to blasting vibrations.