Measurement of Ballistic and Explosive Events 

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) has the capability to conduct fully instrumented, high-fidelity experiments to examine impact, penetration, and blast phenomena. The SwRI Ballistic and Explosion Test Facility has a variety of instrumentation, data recording and reduction systems available to measure, record, and analyze dynamic data. The facility is staffed with experienced technicians who can design and fabricate specialized sensors and data recording devices to meet unique requirements.

Dynamic Measurements and Transducers

• Blast and quasi-static pressure
• Temperature
• Strain
• Acceleration
• Rotation
• Displacement
• High-speed photo-optic sensors
• Ultra high-pressure carbon gages
• Humidity
• Particle site

Typical piezoelectric transducers used to measure blast pressures

High-speed Imaging

• IMACON ultra high-speed digital camera (up to 108 frames/second)
• High-speed video systems

Radiography

• 300 kV and 150 kV Hewlett Packard pulsed x-ray systems
• On-site automated film processing
• Digital image analysis and enhancement

Over-pressure measurement from high explosives test

Transient Data Acquisition

• Nicolet Multipro high-speed data acquisition system (95 channels)
• Portable Nicolet Multipro high-speed data acquisition system

SwRI-designed probe for measuring wave propagation in soils and powders

IMACON ultra high-speed digital camera used for imaging of projectile penetration into ceramic armor

This flyer was published in April 2009. For more information about Measurement of Ballistic and Explosive Events, contact Donald J. Grosch, (210) 522-3176, or Scott A. Mullin, (210) 522-2340, Mechanical Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.

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