Quantifying Blast Effects on Constructed Facilities behind Blast Walls
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31, Issue 4
Abstract
Explosive attacks on constructed facilities are a significant threat worldwide, producing devastating consequences including loss of life, property damages, and economic losses. This paper presents the development a blast effects assessment model (BEAM) capable of efficiently quantifying and visualizing blast effects on constructed facilities behind blast walls. The model provides novel and unique capabilities that enable designers to: (1) efficiently predict the blast damage level on facilities for a wide range of feasible design alternatives of blast charge weight, blast wall type, building material, and facility location; (2) quantify the effectiveness of feasible frangible blast wall types in reducing blast loading on facilities; and (3) generate visualizations of the anticipated facility damage areas based upon the blast charge weight, blast wall type, and building material combinations. These distinctive capabilities enable designers to accurately and efficiently evaluate all feasible design alternatives in order to select an optimal design solution that minimizes the risks to site personnel and facilities from the threat of explosive attacks.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Mr. Gregory Doyle from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Weapons Effects & Planning Tools Branch for the provision of the VAPO software used in this publication. They would also like to thank Mr. Doyle and the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory for their insightful comments and recommendations. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States government.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31 • Issue 4 • August 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 19, 2016
Accepted: Nov 15, 2016
Published ahead of print: Feb 20, 2017
Published online: Feb 21, 2017
Discussion open until: Jul 21, 2017
Published in print: Aug 1, 2017
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