Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices Research Articles

Explosive field trial for repetitive testing of VBIEDs to probabilistically measure blast and fragmentation hazards

This paper describes results from an explosive field trial of the detonation of Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). The purpose of the trials is to replicate tests with identical car type and explosive mass to help probabilistically characterise the uncertainty and variability of blast pressures and fragment hazards. These variabilities may be considerable, and it is important to recognise that the world is not deterministic. The paper describes the spatial variability (directionality) of incident pressure, impulse and time of positive phase duration, and compares these to results from a bare charge, and the hemispherical surface burst Kingery and Bulmash polynomials often used for predicting blast loads from IEDs, such as ConWep. This also allows directional airblast factors to be quantified. The spatial distribution of over 26,000 fragments on the ground is also presented over the 250 m × 300 m test arena. The fragment densities and velocities obtained from the witness panels are also described, and preliminary fatality risks were estimated. These data may help develop or validate airblast and fragment hazard numerical or other models. Ultimately, probabilistic approaches will provide decision support for the determination of safety distance and risk reduction measures to prevent fatality and injury from blast pressure and fragmentation hazards.

Blast resistance of ultra high performance concrete-filled steel tube (UHPC-FST) pier against vehicular bombs

Bridge piers will lose axial bearing capacities under accidental or deliberate explosions, which may cause partial or even multi-span collapse of the bridges. Compared with the conventional RC pier, the ultra high performance concrete-filled steel tube (UHPC-FST) pier exhibits superior strength, ductility, and durability, thus having promising applications in the field of blast-resistant bridges. This study aims to experimentally and numerically examine the blast-resistant performance of the UHPC-FST pier under the near-range explosion of Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED). Firstly, a prototype UHPC-FST pier with earthquake intensity VII was designed following the Chinese specifications, and four 1/4-scale UHPC-FST specimens were scaled and fabricated accordingly. The near-range explosion and succeeding axial compression test were carried out on the specimens with TNT masses of 3 kg, 4 kg, 7 kg, and 10 kg, respectively. Then, full parameters of the Karagozian & Case (K&C) concrete material model applicable to UHPC were systematically calibrated based on the available test data, and the refined finite element (FE) models were established correspondingly based on the explosion and axial compression test. The verification of FE modeling approach was verified by comparing the failure modes and axial force–displacement curves of specimens obtained from the numerical simulation with the test. Finally, two types of VBIED (compact sedan and cargo van) and three standoff distances were selected from the report FEMA-428 and Chinese specifications, and six explosion scenarios were designed correspondingly. The shock wave propagation, shock wave-pier interaction, and the damage evolutions of prototype piers were numerically reproduced. The blast-resistant performance of the prototype UHPC-FST pier was assessed from the aspect of the failure modes and residual axial bearing capacities, which were quantitatively compared with those of conventional RC pier with identical earthquake intensity.

Airblast variability and fatality risks from a VBIED in a complex urban environment

Explosive blasts and prediction of fatality risks in urban environments is a complicated task due to the variability in blast wave reflection and propagation. The terrorist threats considered in this paper are vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) containing 225 kg or 450 kg of TNT or ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) detonated in an open street. This paper uses Viper::Blast CFD software to estimate the variability of explosive blast loads using Monte-Carlo sampling. To probabilistically model the blast wave, the paper takes into consideration the variability of explosive charge mass, detonation location, height of detonation, net equivalent quantity, atmospheric pressure and temperature, and model errors. The fatality risk assessment combines lung-rupture, whole-body displacement and skull fracture dependant on the pressure and impulse. It was found that the mean fatality risk for a 450 kg home-made ANFO explosive device detonated at a road T-intersection is 16% for people exposed in the street. If bollards were placed 10 m from the main street then fatality risk for people in the main street is reduced by over 90%. It was found that a deterministic analysis yielded fatality risks 10–60% higher than a probabilistic analysis, leading to an overly conservative assessment of safety risks.

Guidelines for first responders based on results from deploying a mockup radiological dispersal device

During the past 7th Security Framework Program the European Commission funded a research project called CATO (CBRN Crisis management, Architectures, Technologies and Operational procedures) to develop a prototype decision support system for crisis management in addition to providing a suite of guidelines for first responders and incident commanders when dealing with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents. In order to derive these guidelines a proof-of-concept experiment was setup during which several passive agent (Stable CsCl) dispersions with improvised explosive devices and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were carried out. Each dispersion was thoroughly characterised by a number of monitoring devices, including high-volume air samplers and size-segregated air samplers. All environmental and forensic samples were collected by the UK counter terrorism police, following strict labelling and chain-of-custody protocols. The samples were analysed at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center suing the k0 method for instrumental neutron activation technique. A full consequence assessment analysis was carried out assuming that the observed concentration of Cs-133 in samples was Cs-137 instead and use was made of the specific activity of Cs-137. Due to the sensitivity of the information the European Commission classified this research. The resulted reported on in this work have been unclassified and are released to assist emergency planners and first responders to take the necessary precautions. The results indicate that, up to distances of 50 m from ground zero radiation levels will be considerable and therefore live-saving actions must be performed by fire/rescue wearing full protective gear. In addition, low-wind conditions will favor a long airborne residence time and therefore the use of full-face protective gear is a must. In order to protect first responders, a radiation protection specialist is to determine how long people can enter and remain in the contaminated area. The recovery of evidence in the case of a car-bomb will be hard or even impossible due to the high level of radioactive material remaining inside the vehicle.

Terrorists Use of Ambulances for Terror Attacks: A Review.

Using an ambulance as an attack modality offers many advantages to a terrorist organization. Ambulances can carry more explosives than most vehicles and can often bypass security. Yet, studies examining how terrorist organizations have incorporated ambulances into their attacks are lacking. This article seeks to identify and analyze known instances in which an ambulance has been used in a terrorist attack. The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) was searched for terrorist events that involved the use of an ambulance from the years 1970-2018. Variables of event time, location, and loss of life were analyzed. Twenty instances where an ambulance had been used in a terrorist attack were identified from the GTD. Fifteen of the attacks occurred in the Middle East, while the remaining five occurred in Southeast Asia. All attacks except one had occurred after 2001, and 13 had occurred within the past decade. Most attacks (12/20) resulted in up to three people killed, while six attacks had 10-20 casualties. The deadliest attack occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2018 and caused over 100 casualties. One event did not have casualty information in the GTD. In all cases, ambulances were used as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) by terrorist organizations. This study shows that terrorists are increasingly acquiring and utilizing ambulances in their attacks, often with deadly consequences. Security and public health experts must be aware of this hazard and work to deny terrorists access to these vehicles.

Određivanje pozicije akustičkih izvora korišćenjem spektralne analize višeg reda za određivanje vremena nailaska signala

The localization of various acoustic sources in a battlefield (such as weapon rounds, mortars, rockets, mines, improvised explosive devices, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and airborne vehicles) nowadays has a significant history. In acoustic source localization systems of multiple sensors, networked and placed at known positions are used to detect signals emitted from the source and perform localization of the source. Time of arrival estimation of the gun fire shock waves at large distances is significant when the purpose is the gun localization. At large distances shock wave signal is significantly deformed and therefore it is relatively difficult to accurately estimate the time of arrival. In this paper methods for TOA estimation are proposed, which are based on cumulants of the acoustic signal which originate from distant gunfire events. Localization of acoustic sources is performed in two steps by time difference estimation of acoustic signal arrival and using Discrete Probability Density method for positioning. Numerous field experiments have been conducted in order to verify performance of the proposed approach.

The Rising Drone Threat from Terrorists

The Rising Drone Threat from Terrorists Alyssa Sims (bio) Fist-sized craters pockmark 23 Wall Street, the corner building intersecting Wall Street and Broad Street, left by shrapnel from a bomb blast almost one-hundred years ago.1 On September 16, 1920, a horse-drawn cart parked across from the building that headquartered J. P. Morgan at the time detonated, killing thirty-eight people and injuring several hundred.2 The evolution of vehicular bombs begins with this ruthless feat of ingenuity by a terrorist. Though the New York police never charged anyone, historians suspect that the perpetrator was Mario Buda, an Italian immigrant and anarchist.3 Militants have long sought parity with the artillery of state militaries, but a lack of resources and technological sophistication have posed barriers to radicals determined to inflict mass harm. However, Buda's deadly weapon fashioned out of widely available materials is an example of a practical resolution, which would later be replicated in other vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), leading up to the contemporary use of drones by non-state actors. Terrorist networks have operated drones since at least 2004, when the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah flew a military-grade drone over Israeli airspace.4 However, because of the lack of state support, most terror groups are barred from accessing drone technology of this caliber. Despite this, recent innovation has created an opening for unfettered drone experimentation: hobbyist drones. Commercial-use drones, the kind available from Amazon.com and the most ubiquitous among militant groups, are not sold with arms or explosives; however, with a little engineering, they can be modified to carry a small payload and strike targets from a distance. Recognizing the potential for terrorism, in 2015, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FAA, and the military held a conference in which videos depicted simulated drone attacks.5 DHS again outlined the threat to civilians in a 2017 fact sheet that highlighted the potential for "malicious schemes by terrorists, criminal organizations (including transnational organizations), and lone actors with specific objectives."6 It is unclear how many, if any, civilians have been killed by hobbyist drones so far, as terrorist use of drones has occurred outside of the United States. And though the domestic threat might be "imminent," as indicated by FBI Director Christopher Wray, it has not arrived yet. But terrorists are nonetheless becoming frequent drone users, and as non-state groups acquire drones and launch attacks, terrorist drone use has proven destructive on the battlefield. In this article, I argue that while terrorist drones indeed pose a moderate threat to civilians, non-state use of drones will pose the greatest challenges in combat. Professional militaries will need to invest in conventional air defenses in addition to counter-drone [End Page 97] measures, such as electronic jamming, and employ many of the same precautions used to detect and disarm improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Non-state actors have reached a critical point in the development and use of drones (also known as "unmanned aerial vehicles" or UAVs) in combat and surveillance operations. They are effective drone users, arming drones on their own and executing drone missions that inflict battlefield losses. Additionally, several groups have published drone videos online propagandizing this success, which may encourage lone-wolf drone attacks. Though this unmanned aircraft capability has appropriately stoked terrorism fears, this development echoes previous vehicular technology developments, originating with Buda's bomb. In this respect, though the potential risk to civilians exists, militants are limited in their capacity to inflict large numbers of casualties by drone. Militant bomb makers need a vehicle to deliver their explosive devices, requiring terrorists to be creative about moving bombs from Point A to Point B. Suicide vests are a straightforward way to achieve this. However, access to sensitive enemy positions can be limited. In these cases, groups have deployed car bombs, which can inflict heavy casualties, and buried hard-to-detect roadside bombs or IEDs. Rigged over-the-counter drones pose a new aerial threat to professional militaries because of their ability to surveil battlefield positions, log sensitive information, and launch unpredictable and coordinated attacks. However, as a vehicle for transporting explosives, drones share a...

Aspekti umanjivanja efekata napada improvizovanom eksplozivnom napravom u vozilu

The paper deals with tactical and technical contexts of attacks by vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). This type of attack is usually conducted aiming at so-called 'soft targets", i.e. people who are at a certain moment in the area of a planned attack. The objectives of these attacks can be diverse. The common denominator of attacks is usually to create damaging consequences, especially a large number of dead and injured people. This paper did not focus on the elimination of these attacks, but rather on the reduction of their consequences. Since their assumption is that a complete prevention of these attacks is impossible, the authors formulated some possible solutions, (regarding the technical parameters of the means in particular) to mitigate the consequences of attacks in different ways. Some measures and technical means to mitigate the effects on people are easier to implement while some are more complex and costly.

Optimal design and dynamic impact tests of removable bollards

Anti-ram bollard systems, which are installed around buildings and infrastructure, can prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering, maintain distance from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and reduce the corresponding damage. Compared with a fixed bollard system, a removable bollard system provides more flexibility as it can be removed when needed. This paper first proposes a new type of K4-rated removable anti-ram bollard system. To simulate the collision of a vehicle hitting the bollard system, a finite element model was then built and verified through comparison of numerical simulation results and existing experimental results. Based on the orthogonal design method, the factors influencing the safety and economy of this proposed system were examined and sorted according to their importance. An optimal design scheme was then produced. Finally, to validate the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme, four dynamic impact tests, including two front impact tests and two side impact tests, have been conducted according to BSI Specifications. The residual rotation angles of the specimen are smaller than 30o and satisfy the requirements of the BSI Specification.

Određivanje pozicije akustičnih izvora korišćenjem metode diskretne raspodele verovatnoća podržane združenom detekcijom i procenom vremena nailaska signala

The localization of various acoustic sources in a battlefield (such as weapon rounds, mortars, rockets, mines, improvised explosive devices, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and airborne vehicles) nowadays has significant history. In acoustic source localization systems multiple sensors (such as microphones or microphone arrays), placed at known positions and networked, are used to detect signals emitted from the source and perform localization of the source. In this paper, Discrete Probability Density (DPD) method, as a method for position determination, has been used to estimate location of acoustic sources such as artillery weapons. Wavelet decomposition of the acoustic signal enables to emphasize N-wave in the time domain. Time of Arrival (TOA) estimation is realized by a statistical analysis of narrow time segment which hold N-wave. Based on the estimated TOA Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) is calculated. TDOA presents relative time difference of arrival of the sound signal between pairs of sensors. Localization of the acoustic sources is performed by time difference estimation of acoustic signal arrivals using Discrete Probability Density method. A number of experiments with fire off mortar projectiles have been conducted in order to verify the performance of the proposed approach.

Orthogonal analysis and optimization of a K4-rating auto-lifting anti-ram bollard system

The anti-ram bollard system (ABS) is installed around the perimeter of buildings and infrastructures to prevent the penetration of unauthorized vehicles and reduce the blast and debris caused by the vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED). Comparing with the fixed anti-ram bollard system (FABS), the auto-lifting anti-ram bollard system (AABS) has the advantage to be set down automatically to allow authorized vehicles passing on. In this paper, a configuration of K4-rating AABS is proposed and a finite-element model is developed to simulate its performance. Differences between vehicle model and real vehicle, effects of boundary conditions are both taken into account. The effectiveness and accuracy of the numerical simulation are validated through predicting the results of relevant experiments. Based on the verified numerical model, 32 groups of numerical experiments of K4-rating AABS are investigated using an orthogonal array L32 (48×81). The order and significant levels of nine affecting factors are identified on the basis of the range analysis and variance analysis, respectively. It shows that gaps between substructure and outer sleeve, wall thickness of substructure, wall thickness of steel tube, diameter of steel tube and thickness of stiffening ribs have significant influences on the behavior of AABS. The optimal design is proposed according to the orthogonal analysis.

Troublesome trade-offs: balancing urban activities and values when securing a city-centre governmental quarter

Homeland security measures increasingly affect urban life and activities. Standoff distance, which prevents unscreened vehicles from approaching within a certain distance of a building, is a widely applied measure when protecting buildings against attacks with vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. This measure both is rather inexpensive and has few negative externalities when implemented in rural areas. Unfortunately, sites with protection needs often are situated in city centres. We apply the so-called Security Function Framework to illuminate the externalities or the ‘troublesome trade-offs’ between protecting a high-value site against vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and protecting other urban values. This paper demonstrates that standoff creates challenges for other important values, such as functional office spaces for all employees, deliveries and emergency vehicle access. Simultaneously, standoff creates opportunities for reinforcing social-responsibility requirements, such as accessibility for pedestrians and environmental considerations. Security measures can have both negative and positive externalities and planning might alleviate some of the negative ones.

Assessment of Load Sharing Members in an Anti-Ram Bollard System

Due to the increased frequency, scale, and danger of malicious attacks carried out by Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), anti-ram bollards have become a key element in the protection of critical structures. This study focused on the evaluation of above grade load sharing members in a steel anti-ram bollard system in an attempt to develop efficient load sharing mechanisms that improve the structure's ability to resist vehicle impacts, while concurrently remaining aesthetically pleasing to the general public. A computational assessment was completed using calibrated LS-DYNA finite element models to determine if effective load sharing member configurations and designs could be established so that further optimization of the entire anti-ram system was possible. It was determined that efficient above-grade load sharing could improve the crashworthiness of the anti-ram bollard systems that were studied. Of the configurations that were investigated, the most effective load sharing member design was a single HSS member connecting the vertical bollards near their exposed free ends.

State-of-the-Art Review on Anti-Ram Bollards

Perimeter protection is an important physical protection approach for buildings and infrastructures, which is also regarded as the first line of protection. Vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) have been recognized as a major design threat by many government agencies for years, since they have been so extensively used in past terrorist attacks against critical buildings and infrastructures. Preventing unauthorized vehicles from approaching a protected area with vehicle barriers installed in perimeter of the buildings and infrastructures would consequently reduce blast and debris threats. The history of test certification standard for vehicle barriers is briefly reviewed. The research achievements on anti-ram bollards, one type of vehicle barriers, in the fields of crash test, numerical simulation, and design theory are presented. The remaining problems and deficiencies of the research are pointed out and the corresponding proposals are put forward. Finally, some further research works on anti-ram bollards are proposed.

Recovery of DNA and fingermarks following deployment of render-safe tools for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED)

Improvised explosive devices (IED) are responsible for a significant proportion of combat and civilian deaths around the world. Given the ease with which IEDs can be made, the large quantity of explosive which can be contained within or on a vehicle, and the use of VBIED in the past (for example the 2002 Bali bombing) in terrorist activities, VBIED are an ongoing concern for Defence and law enforcement agencies. Fingermark and DNA analyses are routinely used by police and forensic analysts to identify suspects involved in illegal activities. There is limited information available on the feasibility of obtaining fingermarks, fibres, hair and DNA samples following an explosive incident, or a situation whereby an IED has been rendered safe following the utilisation of an appropriate defeat or render-safe tool. The main objective of this study was to determine if fingermarks and/or DNA (from saliva and hair samples) placed on the interior and exterior of road vehicles, and on inanimate objects (such as plastic or glass bottles), are able to be obtained and analysed following the use of a vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) render-safe tool on a vehicle containing simulated explosives. The identification of fingermarks on the exterior (67.2±8.5%) and interior (43.8±17.8%) of the vehicles was possible following the use of the render-safe tool, though this was more challenging in the latter than the former. Fingermarks were also able to be identified from both plastic and glass bottles placed inside the vehicles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques yielded DNA profiles that were able to be identified from saliva and hair samples. These preliminary results suggest that both fingermarks and DNA profiles, obtained from vehicles that have been subjected to a VBIED render-safe tool, may be used to identify persons of interest.

Behavior of portable fiber reinforced concrete vehicle barriers subject to blasts from contact charges

Portable concrete barriers are commonly used to form a secure perimeter to prevent entry of terrorist vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). Barrier effectiveness can be compromised when satchel charges are used to breach a protective perimeter and subsequently permit closer access to the intended target by VBIEDs. The behavior of five portable concrete vehicle barriers was tested under satchel sized contact charge explosives at the Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) test range at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Four barriers representing different fiber reinforced concretes (FRCs) including two types of synthetic FRC, two steel-synthetic blend FRCs with different fiber volumes, and a traditional reinforced normal weight concrete which served as the control specimen. Each of the FRCs exhibited less material loss and surface damage compared to the control. The two steel synthetic blended concretes exhibited the least amount of damage of all barriers, with no visible difference in performance between the two fiber volumes. The control barrier had widespread spalling and limited concrete in the core of the specimen remained intact. A finite element model was created in LS-DYNA to model one FRC barrier and the control barrier to see if the models could predict the observed damage. Both models were deemed successful due to their ability to show similar patterns of damage as the tested barriers.

SEVERE LUNG INJURY FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO CHLORINE GAS: A CASE SERIES

PURPOSE: Chlorine is a chemical with widespread industrial use. Chlorine gas was used as a weapon in the first World War with devastating consequences. More recently, attempts at weaponizing chlorine have been made during attacks with vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) in Iraq. We report our experience with the care of nine patients who suffered acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following chlorine gas exposure.