Effect of blast pressure on discrete models using a shock tube

Abstract

There has been a spike in the number of terrorist attacks in the past few years and this has shown the need to study the effect of blast loads on buildings and to be taken into consideration in the design process. This threat shows the need for understanding blast mitigation techniques with materials primarily in the construction of buildings. The eruption of high energy materials produces blast waves. This kind of eruption causes tremendous losses and irreparable damages to both man and man-made structures. The effect of the blast wave is most atrocious closer at the middle or at the point of constructive interference. Shock tubes are used to mimic blast waves. For the purpose of studying the science behind the effects of blast pressure on buildings, experiments were done in the shock tube on discrete configurations are done at various pressures. Various methods are used to vary the strength of shock wave is for example by changing the driver gases or by changing the diaphragm thickness. Discrete models selected are suitably scaled cylinder, cone and cubical blocks with different materials such as Wood, Nylon and Mild steel. Pressures are measured by using PCB Piezo electronic transducers with suitable PCB Piezo electronic signal conditioner and NI data acquisition system. The present work proves that cone was a better option in reducing the impact pressure of shock on the body.