Blast wave injury prediction models for complex scenarios

Blast waves from explosions can cause lethal injuries to humans. Development of injury criteria has been ongoing for many years, but with the main focus on free field conditions. However, with terrorist actions as a new threat, explosions in urban areas have become of much more interest. Urban areas provide a complex environment for blast wave...

Single point methods for determining blast wave injury

Models for calculating human injury from a blast wave are examined. The Axelsson BTD model is able to give injury estimates also for complex shock waves, but is difficult to use in practise since it requires input from four pressure sensors on a BTD (Blast Test Device) in the specific location. To find the injury in other places, a new...

The acoustic source strength of high-energy blast waves: combining measurements and a non-linear model

In the densely populated area of the Netherlands, the objective of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence is to find an optimal balance between military training and the impact on the surrounding civilian community. A special case concerns large weapons, such as artillery or demolitions, which create high-energy blast waves. These waves have a low...

A numerical technique to design blast noise mitigation measures

Large weapons, such as armor, artillery or demolitions, create a high-energy blast wave. It has a low frequency content, typically between 15 and 125 Hz, and can propagate over large distances. As a result it is a relative important cause for annoyance. Mitigation measures need to be close to the source for best effectiveness, but due to the...

A blast absorber test: Measurement and model results

A blast absorber test was conducted at the Aberdeen Test Centre from 13 to 17 June 2005. The test was set up to determine the absorbing and shielding effect of a gravel pile, of 1.5 meters high and 15 by 15 meters wide, on blasts from large weapons: e.g. armor, artillery or demolition. The blast was simulated with single brick C-4 charges of 570...

Study of blast wave interactions with structures using a phase-stepped double reference beam holographic interferometer

An optical study of blast wave propagation and interaction with multiple structures is presented, as well as a method for obtaining quantitative information on the pressure distribution from a number of phase-stepped images. The blast load distribution on buildings is studied by scaling down the buildings and exposing to a plane shockwave in a...

Estimate of blast wave properties