Engineering Models for Damage to Structural Components Subjected to Internal Blast Loading

Weidlinger Associates Inc. proposes to develop effective technology for simulating explosive detonations within civil buildings where the propagation of airblast and failure of weak internal walls are strongly coupled. We will conduct a field test program designed to complement other internal detonation testing efforts such as DTRA''s Distinct Cobra, expanding the available database. We will perform high fidelity coupled CFD/CSD simulations of the proposed test events and other available field tests to validate the computational tools. Using the validated tools, we will explore additional internal detonation phenomena not addressed by testing. We will develop improved methods for fast ruuning internal detonation models such as VAPO to produce quantitative estimates of blast damage caused by these threats.