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Determination of the Danger Area under the Effects of the Explosive Shock Wave

Angel A. Sarango, Ricardo J. Peralta, and Nestor D. Mejía
Department of Earth and Construction Sciences, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Av, Gral, Rumiñahui s/n, Sangolquí 171-5-231B, Ecuador

Abstract— Explosives detonation could cause a partial or total destruction of equipment and installations, which in some cases derives in technical staff fatality. The present study aims to define blast wave parameters for spherical explosive in outdoor detonation. To achieve this purpose, a total of 30 blast wave tests were developed in samples of 1kg, 3kg and 5 kg of TNT; the experimental results were compared with standards and handbooks of explosion protection in order to evaluate the damage produced by blast wave effect in equipment, installations and technical professionals. The results reflect a range of safe-zones that varies from 7 m to 300 m according to explosives magnitude, furthermore the results also show the distance at which blast wave provoke lethal injuries. Finally, this research will be applied in further experimental tests related to the controlled demolition of building structural elements, to maximize safety ranges and minimize equipment damage, injuries and fatalities in these events. 

Index Terms— TNT, shock wave, detonation, incident pressure, security zone

Cite: Angel A. Sarango, Ricardo J. Peralta, and Nestor D. Mejía, "Determination of the Danger Area under the Effects of the Explosive Shock Wave," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 295-299, November 2020. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.9.4.295-299

Copyright © 2020 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.