This new technology could protect public buildings from terrorist attacks – here’s how
The researchers, from Sheffield’s Blast and Impact Group, say it can predict the impact any explosion will likely have in any confined space.
Their findings, published in the journal Process Safety and Environmental Protection, show it could also be used to predict the structural damage and injuries a bomb blast would cause.
The team say the tool could be used to help design buildings and infrastructure that are better equipped to withstand explosions by reducing structural damage and potential injuries to people nearby.
Following recent bomb attacks, engineers and government agencies have been urgently seeking quick-running tools to help them predict, and ideally proactively prevent casualties.
The Sheffield team explained that a key aspect is being able to predict the pressure that is generated by a blast in confined spaces, where blast wave reflections from walls and other objects can increase its magnitude and duration.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, known as Martyn’s Law after Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett, was enshrined in UK law last year to better protect the public from terrorism.
It requires certain public premises and events to be prepared and ready to keep people safe in the event of an attack.
The new model could enable the rapid assessment of multiple potential scenarios, even when the exact mass or composition of the explosive is not known.
Sheffield engineers are working with the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) to incorporate the model into their EMBlast software, which is used by the industry for predicting blast effects on buildings.
Dr Andrew Barr said: ‘Explosions inside buildings can be far more destructive than those in open air. When high-pressure shockwaves hit walls and other obstacles, they bounce back and interact, creating a sustained pressure that can cause severe injuries and major structural damage.
‘Engineers assessing these threats have typically relied on look-up charts developed decades ago for TNT explosions. These methods are fast, but they can’t be easily adapted to other explosive types or scenarios.
‘Our new predictive tool simulates the mechanical, thermal and chemical processes behind this dangerous pressure build-up, giving engineers and safety specialists a more accurate picture of the potential consequences of an explosion.’
His colleague, Dr Dain Farrimond, said: ‘We hope to use this knowledge to help develop materials that can be placed around explosives to safely reduce their destructive energy.
‘We would then also be able to model the blast-reducing effects of these materials by adapting the predictive tool, further assisting quick decision-making by engineers and government agencies.’
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