PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOS

SUMMARY

Three blast-resistant modular buildings (BRMs) have been designed to withstand blast loads of 8 to 10 psi with a long blast duration (200 ms), and a comprehensive test programme has been conducted at an explosives range facility located in the USA.

The test programme consisted of a single explosion test using a high explosive as an energetic source. The net explosive weight was circa. 5,500 lbs. The blast-resistant modular buildings were placed at a standoff distance of 180-220 feet from the detonation, which produced a blast pressure and impulse resulting in a response comparable to that predicted for the design load. The standoff distance and target blast loads were established based on the anticipated structural damage levels. The instrumentation included free-field pressure sensors designed to measure unobstructed pressures from the blast as well as side-on pressure sensors on the side and rear faces of the BRMs.

The main objectives of this test programme were to:

1. Understand the effects of blast pressure loading on the structural components of the BRMs;
2. Compare measured data from the tests with results from the analysis;
3. Understand the effects of the blast load on occupants inside the building;
4. Understand the effects of the blast-load on non-structural components (e.g. doors, window, light fixtures, electrical conduit pipes, HVAC units, wall sheathings);
5. Understand the effects of blast loads on the foundations and anchors of the BRMs;
6. Understand the noise level inside the BRMs due to the explosion;
7. Understand the effect of fire and blast interaction on the response of BRMs.

Following the test, the structure was analysed for the measured blast loads, and an evaluation of the performance is provided in this presentation.