Explosion Hazards Evaluation 

Accidental explosions and deliberate bombings by criminals and terrorists cause extensive structural and property damage, personal injury, and loss of life. Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) provides practical solutions to problems associated with blast effects, fragmentation, penetration, and protection. The SwRI Engineering Dynamics Department offers a unique blend of experimental, analytical, and numerical expertise which permits a multifaceted approach to solving safety problems.

Capabilities

• Fundamentals of explosions
• Software development
• Loading from blast waves and fragment impact
• Structural response
• Debris dispersion
• Blast-resistant design

  Terrorist bomb damage to Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Oklahoma City

• Human injury prediction
• Safety and hazards analyses
• Hydrocode simulation
• Finite element analysis
• High-speed data acquisition
• High-speed photography

Experience

• Code development for security evaluation
• Car bomb source prediction
• Short course development and instruction
• Hazards evaluation of high explosives (HE) facilities
• Shaped charge development
• Many varied experimental programs

Facilities

• Ballistics and explosives test range
• Remote test sites
• Testing up to 1000 lbs HE

	Post-accident debris and damage to rocket motor test facility
Propellant assembly line equipment undergoing ignition testing
	SwRI Engineering Dynamics Department staff members analyze the explosive effects of bare and cased charges including structural breakup, debris throw, air blast, and scaling.

This flyer was published in April 2009. For more information about Explosion Hazards Evaluation, contact P. A. Cox, (210) 522-2315, 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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