Simulating Explosive Detonations Within Multiroom Buildings

The detonation of an explosive charge within a building produces complex propagating blast pressures that are strongly influenced by the building’s room layout and construction of interior walls. This paper looks at the effects of internal blast on common, non-structural steel stud or wood stud walls and unreinforced CMU walls in various multi-room configurations. Their blast response is investigated through experimental and numerical models with the goal of quantifying the blast pressure propagation into rooms adjacent to the blast. Risk assessments to power generation facilities should consider the potential for an explosive event within control buildings or other support facilities. These events could be an accidental explosion or the result of a terrorist action. A better understanding of the failure mechanisms and pressure transmission characteristics of typical power generation facility structures will lead to improved vulnerability assessments of these types of structures and the critically important control equipment located within them.