Blast shield materials are described by idealized equations-of-state in both one-dimensional loading and one-dimensional unloading. A square-wave applied pressure history is one boundary condition at the impingement surface of the material and, at the rear surface of the material(s), there is a stationary boundary condition. The objective is to select the equations-of-state that yield the greatest reduction in reflected stress at the rigid-boundary condition, for the smallest overall length, for application to a blast shield. One and two layers of material are considered. Idealizations of the equations-of-state, boundary conditions, length of each layer, and number of layers are arranged to yield simple analytical expressions for the relation of reflected stress to the overall length of the blast shield.

The problem of isolating a water pipe system from the effects of a long duration blast wave resulting from a nuclear explosion is discussed. For an impact load of constant amplitude, the load at the end of the pipe has twice the magnitude of the impact load at the entrance of the pipe and has a duration dependent upon the pipe length. However, certain blasts have pressure-time histories which can induce even higher reflection factors than the usual factor of 2. These pressure-time histories, acting upon a water column in a closed-ended pipe, are analyzed by a time-position wave diagram.

Shutdown of the Babcock & Wilcox nuclear reactor water coolant pumps will cause check valves to close which will induce the generation of water hammer in the system. The magnitude, frequency, and duration of possible pressure oscillations in the pipeline and the discharge of the pressure oscillations into the attached plenum chamber were evaluated. Although the plenum chamber contains a great number of suspended rods, it was possible to establish the upper bound for the pressure loading across the internal structure of the plenum chamber at various stations for determination of design criteria.