|
Abstract. The impulse delivered to the surface of a building by
a blast wave traveling perpendicular to the building surface is
not usually the fully reflected impulse produced on an infinite
surface. Instead, it is lessened by "clearing" as expansion waves
propagate inwards from the regions of lower pressure at the
building’s edges. The actual time-varying load delivered to any point
on the building surface can be approximated by an instantaneous
rize to the reflected (or oblique reflected) pressure followed by
a positive phase foreshortened by the arrival of the expansion
wave. The assumption in this clearing model is that building
surface dimensions are similar, ensuring that reflected pressures are achieved
across the whole surface parallel to the blast wavefront. For
a tall building whose height is considerably greater than its
width, expansion waves originating from the sides of the building
will propagate inwards and reduce the (oblique) reflected pressure as
the blast wave progresses up the building. This paper illustrates
the phenomenon of clearing on tall buildings, identifying the key
factors that govern the process. Results of numerical simulations are
presented, supported by small-scale experiments in which a broad range
of important parameters, such as stand-off and building width, were
investigated.
Related topics:
homeland security, firepower and protection
View first page of "Rose: Blast Loading and Clearing on Tall Buildings"
Papers by Rose
Papers by Smith
Papers by McLennan
Register for the free
to receive a list of papers for each issue as it is released.
|
