Based on the intrabeam scattering theory of Bjorken-Mtingwa, the gener
al expressions for the growth rates of the horizontal, vertical and lo
ngitudinal emittances are expressed in the simple form of elliptic int
egrals. Using this analytical approach, the blow-up of a bunched heavy
ion beam in the proposed HIRFL storage ring is simulated. The time ev
olution of transverse emittances and momentum spread is obtained. A co
mparison of the results with those obtained from the extended Piwinski
theory exhibits a maximum discrepancy of 30%.