Abstract
The identification and consideration of various potential hazards significantly reduce the accidents in the industrial locations where specific operations with explosive materials take place. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects generated by external explosions produced near an experimental steel frame building model. The novelty of the paper is the combination of experimental results on site with data from specialised databases of accidental explosions. These data were integrated using computer modelling to evaluate the risk associated with different hazardous situations (shockwave propagation, spreading of debris), and the effects on the location. The numerical simulations were performed using IMESAFR software, which is a quantitative risk assessment tool and can be used to calculate risk to personnel from commercial explosives facilities and operations. The results of the simulations were used to design the perimeter security within the site and the placement of the experimental model, considering the maximum expected blast charge. Considering the limited space available on site, the results of the simulations were very valuable and confirmed the tests that were already planned can be performed without any risk for personnel, nearby buildings and facilities.
Highlights
The starting point for effective design and management of occupational health and safety in the field of explosives for civil use consists in the reduction of the global risk for different accidental scenarios, respectively the reduction of occupational hazards, the risk of a terrorist attack and the risk of structural collapse [1]. These activities have the effect of optimising the activities to prevent accidents in the industrial locations where specific operations using explosive materials take place, as well as to protect the urban areas exposed to terrorist threats [2]
An example is the international database of accidental explosions due to explosives for civil uses developed by two agencies with activity in the field, i.e. the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) and Department of Defense (DoD)
The study presented in the paper aimed to estimate the possible levels of damage and the risk zones for the personnel within the perimeter of an industrial location used for specific operations involving explosions
Summary
The starting point for effective design and management of occupational health and safety in the field of explosives for civil use consists in the reduction of the global risk for different accidental scenarios, respectively the reduction of occupational hazards, the risk of a terrorist attack and the risk of structural collapse [1]. These activities have the effect of optimising the activities to prevent accidents in the industrial locations where specific operations using explosive materials take place, as well as to protect the urban areas exposed to terrorist threats [2].
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