Effect of baffles on hydrodynamic ram and damage of storage tank under fragment impact

Purpose Fragment impact is one of the main threats for the safety of storage tank in aircraft. This study aims to investigate the influence of inserted baffle on hydrodynamic ram (HRAM) and damage of storage tank to optimize the protective performance of storage tank under fragment impact. Design/methodology/approach The characteristics of initial shock wave, cavity evolution, velocity attenuation of fragment and anti-penetration performance of baffle-inserted tanks were evaluated by experimental and numerical methods. Findings Results indicated that the inserted baffle in tank could significantly increase the velocity attenuation rate of fragment in water. The volume of the second cavity caused by the inserted baffle rapidly decreased with the baffle position moving backward. For the baffle-inserted tank, the deformation of the front and rear walls was substantially weakened, and the alleviating effect for front wall was more significant. Comparing with the ordinary storage tank, the inserted baffle at normalized position 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 in tank made the ballistic limit velocity of storage tank increasing by 118.3%, 20.0% and 54.0%, respectively. Originality/value The findings of this work illustrating the HRAM history and damage map of storage tanks after inserted baffle could provide a convenient approach to improve the anti-penetration performance of storage tanks effectively.