Evaluating the effect of wood composition on the performance of impact limiters for dry storage containers

This study evaluated how the proportions of redwood and balsa wood influence the impact-absorption performance of the impact limiters in dry storage containers (DSCs). Analyses revealed that the safety and structural integrity of the DSC in the event of vertical, oblique, and horizontal drop accidents can be improved by optimizing the proportions of redwood and balsa wood in the impact limiters. Considering the impact-absorption characteristics of the constituent woods, impact limiters with different proportions of redwood and balsa wood were modeled, and their impact response characteristics for each drop scenario were investigated via finite-element analysis of the DSC and its components. Based on the findings, the optimal proportion of balsa wood was determined for each drop scenario, considering the dynamic responses and impact-absorption performance of the impact limiters. Additionally, stress-based evaluation in accordance with ASME BPVC Sec. III Div. 3 was performed on all the impact limiter models for the drop scenarios considered.