Effect of the Barrier Geometry on the Mitigation of Blast Waves

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical simulation using the commercially available AUTODYN 3D code is carried out to estimate the peak pressure behind a blast barrier. A 50 kg TNT charge source is employed to simulate the blast wave. Four different element geometries are used individually to model various shapes of barriers. These barrier models are constructed singly from plates, angle bars, I-beams or tubes. The pressuretime histories are recorded by using gauges located behind each barrier model. The obtained results are compared with the no-barrier case at the same locations. The influences of the boundary conditions, the cross-sectional dimensions, the spacing between elements and the amount of charge and its position are examined and evaluated. The outputs show that the peak pressure of the blast wave can be reduced depending on certain parameters chosen for the barrier design. KEY WORDSBlast