Analytical & Computational Energetics, Inc.

PO Box 809, Helotes, TX 78023

Tel: 210.862.1481
kclutter@aceng.net

HE Explosion Load Prediction

Overview
There are multiple options for determining the blast loads on structures from explosions. Most of the
methods use simple techniques that can be overly conservative. This may at first sound appropriate but it
can have tremendous impact on the design and construction of the structures. Conservative designs mean
more metal, concrete and labor. There are even some scenarios where the simple methods can under
predict the loads which would result in an inadequate design. Using better modeling tools help avoid
costly or inadequate designs. ACE provides better modeling using a simulation code titled CEBAM
developed by Dr. Clutter.

Information
To address anti-terrorism and force-protection issues, various organizations in both the government and
private sectors require explosion effects modeling. The ultimate goal is typically the determination of the
effects on people and other resources if an attack were to occur. This requires engineering analysis into
the structural response and the blast (pressure) loading caused by the explosive event. The structural
response can be analyzed with a variety of tools to include FEA methods which is commonly used. FEA
methods are the most sophisticated approach and perform the analysis using a true 3D representation of
the structure. A full set of partial differential equations which govern the dynamics of the structure are
solved.

The other aspect of addressing these problems is the determination of the pressure loading on the structure
caused by the explosive and drives the response of the structure. As in the case of analyzing the structural
aspects, there is a range of tools that can be used. The most common approach uses simple blast curve
data that gives the pressure and impulse as a function of explosive charge size and distance. Though many
times this method is packaged into computer programs and may give the appearance of being
sophisticated they do not incorporate the specifics of the actual event. The data on which the load is
determined is essentially a charge setting in an open field. Some of the models that include the blast-curve
based load prediction are the following: Conwep, AT Planner, VAPO and BEEM.

ACE recommends the use of blast load modeling to match the sophistication of the FEA structural
analysis typically performed. In fact one has to wonder about the merits of using sophisticated structural
response analysis with such simplified load predictions. To match the quality of the FEA type analysis
ACE uses a hydrocode / computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach to obtain the blast loading
information. In theory general purpose CFD codes such as Fluent and CFX can be used for blast
modeling but some models have been developed specifically for this problem. These include the
following: CTH, Epic, SHARC, SHAMRC, Autodyn, Air 3D and CEBAM.

The majority of these are government codes and not available to the general public but can be used on
government projects if approval is granted. However they are complicated to use and require experts in
the area of hydrocodes. AUTODYN and CEBAM are available commercially and Air 3D is available to
some from a UK government agency. Dr. Clutter with ACE developed CEBAM specifically for the
structural vulnerability problem and the methodologies used in the code are described in reference articles
provided 1. It was developed for use by those that are not hydrocode experts.

1
www.aceng.net/papers
 ACE, HE Explosion Load Prediction | 2

What is the advantage of using the more sophisticated blast load modeling? In short, you get the actual
load the structural will be exposed to, not an over simplified estimate. The response of structural elements
is dependent on the loading magnitude, duration and shape. All of these parameters are affected by the
specifics of the event such as what surrounds the location of the explosive charge. For instance, an
explosion that occurs in an urban setting does not behave like one initiated in an open fieldthe scenario
assumed in the blast-curve based modeling.

Just the presence of a few reflecting surfaces can significantly increase the magnitude of the load. Figure
1 shows a simple example of the effect of reflecting surfaces 2. The pressure time histories are made at
point 2 in the geometry and the charge was 300kg of TNT. The comparison shows the effect of the
presence of surfaces b and c.

Figure 1. Effect of reflecting surfaces on the blast load magnitude.

The environment can also dramatically affect the loading history. Figure 2 shows how the incident blast
wave produced by a charge reflects off the buildings bordering a street and causing the load on the
structures to be not a single pulse as assumed by the simple methods but a collection of pulses 3. The
results in the figure are for a scaled test configuration and a comparison of Air3D and CEBAM are
included.

The configurations in Figure 1and Figure 2 are rather simple but are found to change the blast loading
from the simple, single pulse assumed in the simple methods. These effects are even more exacerbated in
complex situations such as the example in Figure 3. It shows that the load on a single building cannot be
accurately predicted if surrounding objects are not included. For instance, the backside of buildings (the
surface away from the blast) is typically considered to be exposed to a side-on, non-reflected load when
using the simple methods. In fact, the side can be loaded much higher due to the channeling and focusing
of blast off of neighboring buildings.

Another phenomenon that occurs is the collision of the multiple blast fronts causing an increase in loading
on areas of the structures that may be unexpected. The complex environment also changes the load
produced on the faces of the structure. Instead multiple pulses are produced due to blast waves reflecting
off the various objects. Such phenomena are not captured by the simple methods.

2
Luccioni, Ambrosini, & Danesi, Blast load assessment using hydrocodes, Engineering Structures, Vol 28 (2006)
1736-1744.
3
Clutter, Mathis, & Stahl, Modeling Environmental Effects in the Simulation of Explosion Events, Int. Journal of
Impact Engineering, Vol. 34, No. 5, May 2007, pp. 973-989.
 ACE, HE Explosion Load Prediction | 3

Figure 2. Blast channeling down a street between buildings.

Location of charge

Increased back-side loading due to Collision of blast waves causing increase Complex loading up the face of buildings
neighboring buildings in loading caused by the urban environment

Figure 3. Example blast load analysis in an urban setting.

 ACE, HE Explosion Load Prediction | 4

Personnel
ACE has personnel that can assist in performing vulnerability assessments to address terrorism threats.
This includes the definition of the explosive threat that should be considered as part of the analysis. One
of these is Dr. J. Keith Clutter. Keith holds a PhD from the University of Florida in aerospace engineering
and has over 20 years of experience in the areas of thermal-fluid sciences, numerical modeling,
explosions, and security engineering. He has developed and applied computational modeling tools for
combustion, explosions and chem/bio dispersion. One code he developed called CEBAM simulates
accidental and malicious explosions from gas and condensed phase explosives and is used by various
commercial and government organizations for performing vulnerability assessments.

Keith also serves at the rank of Lt. Col. in the US Air Force Reserves and has over 20 years of experience
in the areas of security, civil engineering and explosives operations. In addition to his engineering
education he has completed several security related courses to include USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(EOD) School, USAF Air Base Combat Engineering, FBI Vehicle Bomb Course, USAF Security Forces
Officer Course and various threat analysis and counter-terrorism training courses. His training also
includes courses on the production an employment of homemade explosives. He is well versed in
performing vulnerability assessments to include working with information to define threats. He is a
veteran of multiple tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom performing EOD and security missions
and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his service.