A review of explosive characteristics of prestressed secondary containments near the ultimate load

The principles of load-structure interaction as they pertain to secondary containment structures are reviewed. These principles are illustrated by simple computations for 1:14 scale model test structure. It is demonstrated that the preultimate behavior should be identical for both pneumatic and hydraulic loading systems but that the post-ultimate behavior will differ substantially. However, in each case the post-ultimate behavior may be explosive. Implications with respect to complete and local failures of real containments are also briefly examined. (Auth.)