The use of liquid hydrogen LH2 in aviation offers significant potential for reducing CO2 emissions. However, its unique properties, such as rapid dispersion, wide flammability limits, and low ignition energy, introduce explosion safety concerns in confined spaces like the aircraft tail cone, where LH2 tanks are typically placed. Using a numerical approach, this thesis investigates the blast loads and dynamic response of tail cone structures to a confined hydrogen-air detonation, identified as a worst-case explosion scenario.

The LS-DYNA CESE-Chemistry solver, employing an 8-step finite-rate reaction mechanism, was used to model the detonation blast wave. The structural response is coupled via Immersed Boundary Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). The detonation model was validated with literature results from a hydrogen-air detonation experiment, while the structural model was validated with blast-loaded circular plates, both showing good agreement.


Results show that the blast wave propagates in the tail cone with multiple reflections, producing 2–3 distinct pressure peaks. While the first pulse is the primary shock-loading in most locations, the second pulse is more significant at the bulkhead center, amplified by shock convergence effects.

The structural response occurs in four distinct phases: initial deformation, flexural wave propagation, secondary pulse loading, and snapback instability. Large deformations and high plasticity were observed at the bulkhead center and edge, identifying them as critical zones for damage. Parametric studies reveal that deflections increase with ignition distance and decrease with bulkhead thickness or radius. A linear relationship was found between a dimensionless impulse parameter and permanent deformations or plastic strains across varying bulkhead configurations.

The insights gained provide a foundation for designing safer hydrogen-powered aircraft and addressing regulatory gaps in explosion safety. Recommendations for future work include extending the model to 3D geometries, incorporating material failure models, and conducting tailored validation experiments.