PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOS

SUMMARY

Three blast-resistant modular buildings (BRMs) have been designed to withstand blast loads of 8 to 10 psi with a long blast duration (200 msec). A comprehensive test programme has been conducted at an explosives range facility located in the USA.

On 11th August 2020, one arena-style blast test was conducted against a 12 foot by 40 foot anchored Blast Resistant Building (BRB), a 12 foot by 40 foot unanchored BRB, an 8 foot by 20 foot BRB placed on the ground, a general job site truck and a general job site wood trailer. These units were placed on an arc around a 6,000 pound ANFO charge, located 173 feet from the anchored BRB, and 193 feet from all other specimens. The charge was detonated, and each unit’s responses were documented. The results of this test were presented at a FABIG Webinar held on 10th February 2021.

This presentation will include the results of the fire test following the first blast test on 11th August 2020, and the results of the 2nd blast test following the fire test.

Fire testing was conducted following the blast test. The 8ft x 20ft ground unit was equipped with three Passive Fire Protection (PFP) coatings and one uncoated wall that were tested against flame impingement. A 2000°F flame was introduced to the specimen surface, one at a time, for each of the four surfaces for 30 minutes. Temperatures were recorded throughout the unit during each test.

On 27th August 2020, a second blast test was conducted against a 12ft x 40ft unanchored Blast Resistant Building (BRB). A 3000 pound ANFO charge was placed 80 feet from the unanchored unit. The charge was detonated, and the unit’s response was documented. Although the 2nd blast test focused primarily on the unanchored unit, the anchored and ground units remained in place following Test 1 and were present in their locations for this blast test.

In general, the unanchored BRB sustained severe damages against a 3000lb ANFO charge placed 80 feet away. The BRB, as an overall building, satisfies many of the requirements for HIGH DAMAGE per ASCE rating designations. The unit is unlikely to collapse due to environmental conditions. However, it should not be occupied. While many of the components did not fail, they had significant permanent deflections causing them to be unrepairable.