Explosion Phenomena and Effects of Explosions on Structures. II: Methods of Analysis (Explosion Effects)
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 15, Issue 2
Abstract
This is Part II of a three-part paper on the phenomena of explosions and effects of explosions on structures. The overall paper is intended to provide the reader with a practical overview of the various types of explosions and methods available to predict explosion effects, with emphasis on air blast. The response of structures to air blast is discussed and methods of analysis are presented. Since the subject area is broad, reference sources for more in-depth information on many of the topics presented are provided. In this paper, Part II, calculation methods for predicting explosion effects are presented for different types of explosions, with emphasis on air blast. Logic diagrams are presented to aid in the prediction of air blast characteristics from different types of explosions. Then the analysis tools required are summarized. A dispersion analysis is required to characterize a combustible cloud in cases involving a dispersed fuel. For the prediction of air blast characteristics the following methods are discussed: experimental modeling, TNT (trinitrotoluene) equivalency, methods for pressure vessel explosions, methods for boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions, multienergy and Baker-Strehlow-Tang methods for vapor cloud explosions, and computational fluid dynamics. A prediction of overpressure inside buildings and equipment is included.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 15 • Issue 2 • May 2010
Pages: 141 - 152
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: May 21, 2009
Accepted: Jun 23, 2009
Published online: Jun 25, 2009
Published in print: May 2010
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