Design and Construction for Blast Resistance

The Journal’s Editorial Board is pleased to present this issue on protection of structures against blast loading. Included are an introductory guest editorial by Dr. Chengqing Wu, 11 technical papers, and a book review, all focused on mitigating the damage potential of accidental or intentional explosions.

The special topic issue was conceived and organized by Dr. Wu, University of Adelaide, Australia. Dr. Wu was coordinator of the Eighth International Conference on Shock and Impact Loads on Structures held in Adelaide in December 2009. Many of the technical papers in this issue were solicited from presenters at that conference. Others were submitted in response to our call for papers on the topic. We trust that you will find these papers to be informative and useful. They represent the state of the art in this important and evolving technology.

It is one of the benefits of modern instantaneous communication that such a project as this can be accomplished. Dr. Wu and I live halfway around the world from each other, but our cooperation was not limited by distance. It was a great pleasure to work with him throughout the manuscript solicitation and peer review process and in putting the completed issue together. I look forward to meeting Dr. Wu at the Ninth International Conference on Shock and Impact Loads on Structures in November 2011 in Fukuoka, Japan. A special session at the Ninth Conference will be devoted to forensic aspects of blast resistance and lessons learned from blast investigations that can guide future designs. Papers will again be solicited from conference participants making informative presentations that are relevant to readers of this journal.

Acts of terrorism involving intentional blast damage are particularly troubling to design and construction professionals. The forces of time and nature that work against the built environment are sufficient to keep designers and builders awake at night. It is truly disheartening to contemplate the need to also design against destructive acts motivated by misguided philosophies or evil intentions. Yet, forensic investigations conducted after acts of terrorism have shown clearly that design can make a difference. Design professionals can contribute substantially toward mitigating against acts of terrorism through enlightened site and building configuration, careful material selection and detailing, and competent structural design. The challenge, although not sought by designers and builders, is being addressed by the combined efforts of researchers and practitioners.

This journal, beginning with my Editor’s Note following the 1995 truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, has offered itself as a forum for disseminating information in support of this worthy quest. Since that tragic event, many individual papers discussing blast mitigation and investigations have appeared in the journal. Special sections and special topic issues have also been devoted to the subject, including (1) a special section on “Investigation of the Bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building” (August 1998, Vol. 12, No. 3); (2) a special topic issue on “Blast Mitigation and Design against Terrorism” (May 2004, Vol. 18, No. 2); (3) a special section on “Performance of the Pentagon: Terrorist Attack of September 11, 2001” (August 2005, Vol. 19, No. 3); and (4) a special topic issue on “Mitigating the Potential for Progressive Disproportionate Structural Collapse” (November 2006, Vol. 20, No. 4).

In my February 2002 Editor’s Note, in reference to the despicable events of September 11, 2001, I wrote the following:

Hatred has spoken, with its power to destroy, break, kill and maim. While horrifying, the accomplishment is not particularly impressive. Ours is the greater power and the more magnificent expertise. We can create. We can build. We can serve to improve the quality of life.

This special issue is intended as an important contribution toward meeting the challenge.