The Explosive Threat - Preventing Progressive Collapse and Limiting the Extent of Debris

The protective design of structures to withstand the effects of explosive loading requires analytical analogies and performance criteria that are supported by first principles analyses and explosive test results. In particular, state-of-the-art protective design retrofit solutions require both an analytical evaluation and a full-scale test program to confirm their adequacy and performance standards. However, different government agencies specify different explosive threats and response criteria. In order to provide the desired level of protection these agencies must be able to review the analytical approaches and assess the adequacy of the proposed solutions. Presented is a discussion of the different protective design approaches for minimizing the hazard to debris and structural collapse resulting from both the vehicle and satchel threats that may originate outside the structure or within the pre-screened public spaces.