Despite the importance of blast mitigation, many buildings fail to address the issue. Even older buildings may not meet the minimum security standards and may require alterations to increase safety. A key element in blast mitigation is the risk assessment of the building, which is a vital part of the design process. It involves assessing possible threats and damages, and calculating the appropriate blast pressure and impulse. Listed below are some ways to mitigate blasts.
Elastomeric polymers, such as those used in PAXCON, have been extensively tested by the U.S. Government since 1996. Only a single coating has been found to pass all bomb blast tests. It has since been applied to several buildings around the world, including the U.S. Pentagon, Federal Court House in New York, Washington Naval Base, and several buildings in London. In addition, polyureas can also increase the ballistic limit of a steel substrate.
Dragonshield HT (r) polyurea protective lining was a highly effective blast mitigation solution for US Marines Humvees. It was tested against 7.62/54R ammo and 9.4 mm rolled homogenous armor steel. The polyurea coating offered a 15% weight savings, and increased the occupants’ comfort while driving over rough terrain. The US Military decided to buy the solution and test it.
RCMP is the lead agency for physical security in Canada. They are responsible for providing guidance and advice on physical security. This manual describes blast dynamics and provides a list of appropriate blast mitigation considerations. In addition, it also includes a caveat on SA&A considerations. The RCMP also publishes a blast mitigation guideline that includes information on how to plan for blast mitigation. In this way, governments can avoid a potential blast by planning ahead.
Blasts may cause significant injuries and fatalities. Exposure to the overpressure of a blast is potentially lethal. A graph on the right illustrates the susceptibility of the ears to blast damage. The human ear is specifically designed to pick up sounds, which are small fluctuations in air pressure. Because of this, the ear is particularly vulnerable to blast damage. Listed below are some of the ways blast mitigation can reduce the risk of lethalities.
A common method of blast mitigation is the use of toughened or tempered glass. This type of glass is more resistant to blasts, requiring three to five times the strength of annealed glass. Furthermore, it can be tested in open arenas, where more than one window is tested at a time. In both methods, at least three samples must pass. This is why Blast Mitigation is necessary in many cases.
Buildings should be designed to be able to withstand the force of a blast. In other words, the building structure should be designed to limit the damage in one specific area. In the event of a blast, a building may collapse if one part is not designed to withstand the blast force. For this reason, engineers should design the building structure in such a way as to minimize any damage to a single part.
Blast mitigation can be costly and time-consuming. Moreover, it can delay construction time. However, if your building is high risk, blast mitigation is a critical design element. There are many products that protect buildings from explosions. Blast shields, also known as blast walls or blast curtains, are a popular choice for blast containment. The barrier should prevent explosions from spreading outside the building and to the surrounding area.
A full head model has been developed to simulate the impact of a blast on brain tissue. This model is based on the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center/MIT Full Head Model. The results of the simulation will allow the helmet to be tested and refined. Moreover, the results of these tests will indicate how effective the mitigation strategy can be. If the helmet fails to mitigate blast effects, it can be adapted to improve the safety of the soldier.
