In order to avoid blasts, you need to understand what makes a structure vulnerable to them. Blasts can be caused by a variety of factors, including intentional or unintentional acts, natural disasters, and accidents. Blast mitigation can help you to minimize the damage from these types of disasters, as well as help your organization to avoid the consequences of such incidents. Here are some tips to help you mitigate your risk:
o Use polyurea coating to reduce wall deflection, which can lower the blast-induced pressure in a room. Polyurea coatings have a high elongation, which absorbs pressure over a large surface area. Minimization is another technique, which reduces the possibility of objects near walls from being struck by blast loads. Ultra-high-strength barrier coatings can significantly improve the survivability of occupants in blast-impacted buildings.
o Use an advanced blast-mitigating polymer, such as Dragon Shield. This innovative material can be applied to buildings and military assets to prevent shrapnel penetration. In addition to its superior energy absorbing and fragment containment capabilities, Dragon Shield offers superior tensile strength, elongation, and strain modulus. This translates into a safer environment for your employees and visitors. It also reduces damage to buildings, including the cost of replacing damaged building components.
During a blast, walls are the most vulnerable part of a building. The walls hold windows and doors, while the external coating helps to reduce the blast’s effect. For more information, read Blast Effects on Buildings – Second Edition. This is an excellent choice for those interested in heavyweight math. Listed below are some of the main factors that will impact the building’s blast mitigation performance. You may even want to consider retrofitting to increase your building’s performance.
o Use tempered or toughened glass. Tempered glass is three to five times stronger than annealed glass. This type of glass is designed to withstand blasts. Moreover, it is much lighter, so it’s easier to transport. Blast-resistant glass is an ideal option if you’re concerned about flying glass fragments. The material is also flame-retardant and self-extinguishing.
o Consider the stand-off distance. Blast hazards can extend beyond the immediate location of the explosion. They can also cause structural damage in buildings within the blast radius. Buildings that are more than ten blocks away from the blast site have encountered glass that was blown off. Additionally, many buildings within a few blocks suffered severe damage. A few of these buildings have even collapsed. Considering these factors, blast mitigation is essential for the safety of your building.
o Know your buildings. Blasts can cause damage to buildings when over-pressure waves are present. However, the pressure waves cannot escape the city limits because they bounce off nearby buildings. If your buildings have a good insulation rating, they can channel the blasts and prevent them from reaching the buildings. The resulting pressure waves are a direct cause of damage. A strong foundation is a must for blast mitigation, as it protects the structure and surrounding area from further damage.
o Consider how the building is built. Most buildings are designed with static loads in mind. Blast mitigation requires engineers to take into account the structure’s dynamic response to the blast. The blast loads must be calculated into building designs so that a single area does not collapse, and the damage incurred by the building will be limited to one part. Buildings with more than one part may have larger walls and thicker columns to reduce the chance of a collapse.
o Consider Blast Mitigation During Building Design. Blast mitigation can be costly and time-consuming if not implemented properly. For buildings that have a high risk of explosion, blast mitigation is a critical design factor. If you are looking for a durable and cost-effective solution, consider using blast shields or specialized materials to minimize blast damage. By incorporating blast mitigation into the design of your building, you can protect your people from the devastating effects of a bomb explosion.
