Further study of lethal threat of damaged concrete debris due to accidental explosion

Abstract

Accidental explosion of ammunition storage magazine can have devastating effect on the surrounding buildings and structures costing lives and properties; especially in a densely populated Singapore, cordoning a large area off an ammunition house is impossible. Debris throw from an explosion can also ricochet upon impact on ground, furthering the lethal zone. Therefore, a study on the post impact debris throw is essential. A comprehensive study will allow militaries to design surrounding buildings and structures, according to the risk based on the lethality of an accidental explosion of ammunition house. This project studied the post- impact effect of damaged concrete cubes targeted at a relatively hard medium. The approach of this study is primarily experimental, which involves drop test of 100mm concrete chamfered cubes on reinforced concrete slab. There are two reports for this project. This report will mainly focus on the experimental preparation and set-up, while the writer’s partner’s report (Cham, J., 2015) will focus on the experimental analysis and results.