Evaluation of innovative materials subjected to near-contact detonations

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Some structures composed of brittle cast iron may be particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks using near-contact detonations because of the lack of ductility and poor quality control within the structures. For this reason, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center was tasked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to lead a research effort that would evaluate innovative materials for mitigation of damage to cast-iron structures subjected to near-contact detonations. This research was initiated to investigate the vulnerability of cast iron and to identify potential materials that could serve as retrofit layers to prevent breach in the cast-iron panels. The panels were subjected to near-contact explosive charges, and the response of both the retrofit layers and cast-iron panels were documented. It was determined that breach of the cast-iron panel could not be prevented for the threat condition applied; however, specific retrofits were developed in which the blast-face retrofit layer was not breached. These retrofits were considered successful because they were able to seal the area of the breach.