Title

Design Validation Experiments For The Key Worker Blast Shelter

Report Number

CONF-8305107, p. 126-131

Creator

Kiger, S. A.

Slawson, T. R.

Corporate Author

USAE Waterways Experiment Station (WES)

Laboratory

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Date

1983

Date Issued

1983-07

Extent

6

Identifier

ADA132780

Format

1 online resource (6 pages : ill.)

Abstract

Design calculations for the blast shelter included the effects of soil arching. In the past, soil arching has been ignored for dynamic loads at shallow burial depths; however, recent test data indicate structural loading is significantly reduced by arching, even at very shallow burial depths. The result is a more efficient structural design than was previously thought possible. Experiments to be conducted on 1/4-scale structural elements during June through October 1983 will provide loading and response data for the structural design. Specific design parameters that will be investigated include depth of burial, backfill soil specifications, concrete strength, and the effects of multiple weapon detonations. Static testing, using the Large Blast Load Generator facility at WES, will be conducted in the laboratory. All dynamic testing will be performed at remote field sites using a High-Explosive Simulation Technique known as a Foam HEST to simulate nuclear overpressures. Instrumentation will document the overpressure loading, free-field stresses and motions in the backfill, interface loads on the buried structure, structural deformations, and instructure shock levels. Results from these experiments will be used to validate and/or improve the blast shelter design and the computational procedures used for the design calculations.

Description

Design calculations for the blast shelter included the effects of soil arching. In the past, soil arching has been ignored for dynamic loads at shallow burial depths; however, recent test data indicate structural loading is significantly reduced by arching, even at very shallow burial depths. The result is a more efficient structural design than was previously thought possible. Experiments to be conducted on 1/4-scale structural elements during June through October 1983 will provide loading and response data for the structural design. Specific design parameters that will be investigated include depth of burial, backfill soil specifications, concrete strength, and the effects of multiple weapon detonations. Static testing, using the Large Blast Load Generator facility at WES, will be conducted in the laboratory. All dynamic testing will be performed at remote field sites using a High-Explosive Simulation Technique known as a Foam HEST to simulate nuclear overpressures. Instrumentation will document the overpressure loading, free-field stresses and motions in the backfill, interface loads on the buried structure, structural deformations, and instructure shock levels. Results from these experiments will be used to validate and/or improve the blast shelter design and the computational procedures used for the design calculations.

Distribution Classification

1

Distribution Conflict

No

DTIC Record Exists

No

Illinois Tech Related

No

Photo Quality

Not Needed

Report Availability

Full text available

Type

article

Is Part Of

Proceedings: 17th Asilomar Conference on Fire and Blast Effects of Nuclear Weapons