Explosion Damage Assessment and Structural Integrity Evaluation
Abstract
An accidental explosion involving 18 lbs of Composition A5 occurred in an operating M42 grenade pressing line. The explosion initiated in a remotely controlled press housed in a cubicle with one venting wall; the remaining three walls and roof were hardened. The cubicle was constructed in accordance with TM 5-1300 and was located within a conventionally designed and constructed steel frame building with a cement asbestos roof. The cubicle performed in accordance with the original design criteria. No significant cubicle structural damage or hazardous spalling occurred. Reuse of the cubicle was possible with minor repairs. Overpressure substantially damaged the brittle roof material. The building frame suffered only minor damage. The cubicle defeated fragments and sufficiently attenuated overpressures such that only minor injuries occurred. Personnel whole body displacement and eardrum type injuries were consistent with the blast pressure attenuation expected for this type cubicle configuration. The roof was replaced with a frangible aluminum roof and the cubicle walls and roof refinished using epoxy mortar grout. The cubicle performed as intended and design methods and blast pressure prediction procedures agreed well with actual events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA165622
Entities
People
- Paul M. Lahoud