Building Blast

Analysis
wind engineering & architectural aerodynamics

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Dynamic loading produced by the detonation of high-explosive materials

is, unfortunately, an increasingly important load case that designers of
important structures need to consider for the safety of the people
interacting with the structure and integrity of the structure itself.
In recent years, considerable attention has been given
to explosive loads on landmark structures as a result
of both accidental and intentional events. At the same

Key Services

Identification and assessment of likely threat scenarios

Blast Loads
The quantification of blast loads on structures from

loads and structural responses can now be modelled using

explosion events requires the accurate modelling of

software that couples these technologies for complex

peak overpressures and the associated impulse from

designs and for a range of threat scenarios.

the expanding gases of detonation as well as taking into

account the geometric effects of blast wave reflection
and diffraction. The recent developments in the fields
of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and non-linear

time, building designers the world over have been

Blast Load Prediction

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) have meant there have been

increasingly pushing the boundaries on design with ever

Non-linear dynamic structural analysis to assess

were not possible up until recently. Accurate explosion

more demanding architectural and structural forms and

utilizing advanced structural materials and methods.

resistance to blast loading

Understanding how these designs and materials are able

Analysis of blast resistant faade and glazing systems

to withstand blast loads and maintain structural integrity

Advice on blast resistant design and development of

is now no longer possible with semi-empirical methods

without making highly conservative assumptions that drive
up asset cost and compromise design.
The balance of compromising design for the safety of the
structure is heavily influenced by the acceptable level of

significant advances in the prediction of blast loads that

BMT use advanced three-dimensional CFD software to

calculate the evolution and movement of the blast pressure
wave through the air and its interaction with surrounding
structures. The end result is an accurate blast pressure
distribution across the structure that is then coupled to the
dynamic structural response model.

mitigation measures

Risk-based assessments
Determination of protection levels
Building evacuation analysis

risk. A risk-based approach to design for blast loading

should be taken where accurate methods are employed to

Key benefits

assess the consequence of an event, and combined with

Risk-based assessment of security related threats

the likelihood of an event occurring.

BMT have taken their extensive experience in risk-based
explosion load analysis from the Oil and Gas industry
and coupled it with class-leading software for non-linear

Cost effective structural and faade designs that

balance an acceptable level of risk

Interactive solution development

dynamic structural finite element analysis (FEA), and

Iterative design optimisation

unparalleled knowledge of structural environmental

Visualisations of the blast waves, cladding and

loadings to provide the construction industry a complete

package for blast load design. The approach that BMT
provide through all stages of design ensures that the risk
posed to building occupants and structural integrity from
terrorist and other explosions is significantly reduced.

structural response to aid design development

Threat AssessmenT
The identification of key threats is the first stage of any blast
study for a new development. Explosion threat scenarios
are typically specified in terms of an explosive charge weight

Overpressure resulting from a small device (~20kg TNT equivalent) detonated in a built-up urban area. Reflection of the blast wave-front is

at a standoff distance from the target structure. BMT works

shown, resulting in successive cycles of overpressure.

closely with security consultants and governmental bodies

to determine the likelihood of a given scenario occurring.

Tel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224

Email: enquiries@bmtfm.com Website: www.bmtfm.com

Design of Glazing Systems

Design of Structural Elements

The proliferation of fully glazed facades in new building

Protection of a structures occupants by the faade

designs means that the importance of glazing system

system is the first line of defence against blast. However,

design to resist blast loading is more important than ever.

for extreme events or events where terrorists target weak

points in a structures design, the integrity of the structure

The fragmentation and subsequent projection of glass

is vitally important. BMT can carry out detailed blast

fragments from bomb blasts is frequently the highest

analysis to ensure that the structure is robust enough

threat to human life. Ordinary annealed or toughened

to maintain integrity for an acceptable blast risk event

glass forms elongated shards and small fragments when

through the development of alternate load paths. The

subjected to blast loads of sufficient strength that will

analysis of structural elements to resist blast loading

travel at high speed and cause severe or lethal injuries

requires a dynamic analysis with non-linear ductile

to personnel and extensive damage to fixtures, fittings

response where ultimate limit state assessments are

and equipment. Appropriately supported laminated glass

carried out. Where complete structural failure is predicted,

panels have far superior blast resistance properties that

BMT can work with the building designer to develop

allow them to absorb energy with little or no fragmentation.

alternative load paths and mitigation strategies.

The key to optimum protection from laminated glazing

Design of Protected Spaces

systems is the laminate composition and the support

system. BMTs advanced non-linear FEA tools are capable
of modelling the failure mechanism of glazing laminates

In some buildings, it is necessary to design protected

and the supporting system to identify areas of design that

spaces that are hardened to resist the effects of external

can be optimised for maximum protection. The levels of

explosions and protect the occupants inside or a critical

protection can then be categorised using standards such

piece of equipment. In the event of a bomb threat,

as GSA TS01, ASTM F 1642-04, and ISO 16933.

sometimes it is safer for the building occupants to seek

Fully-coupled blast simulations showing the initial failure of a double

internal shelter or to evacuate through subterranean exits

glazed facade element and glass fragmentation after complete failure

due to the high risk of injury from falling glass and other
debris that occurs over a wide area.
Bomb Shelter Areas (BSAs) are ideally located in
basements using reinforced concrete and away from
areas exposed to high blast and direct fragment hazards.
To ensure that the BSA does not become a hazard itself to
evacuees, it is vitally important to determine the protection
offered for a range of threats. In other words, its limiting
blast capacity must be quantified.

Adapted from the US General Services Administration (GSA) standard testing criteria for blast resistant glazing.

Tel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224

Pressure waves travel through the structure during a blast

faster than the wave-front travels through air, resulting in
structural stresses in advance of the main blast impact.

Design Advice & Mitigation

Measures
In the early stages of a structures design, BMT can
provide advice on good design practice for blast
resistance and mitigation measures to reduce the risk
of damage from bomb blasts. Often this requires an
assessment of the buildings external form to identify
areas of re-entrant corners, cantilevered upper floors/setbacks of the lower floors, recesses, internal courtyards

BMT are able to determine the limiting capacity of a

and arcades which will exacerbate the effects of an

BSA from a blast by modelling the structural integrity of

external bomb blast. BMT then work with the building

the building and shelter for a range of blast threats. The

designers to reduce these problem areas and introduce

analysis of the modelling results can be used to determine

mitigation schemes such as convexly curved or faceted

the optimum location of the BSA and identify ways for

facades and barrier schemes around the buildings

strengthening the shelter.

perimeter.

Email: enquiries@bmtfm.com Website: www.bmtfm.com

For further information contact:

Tel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224
Email: enquiries@bmtfm.com Website: www.bmtfm.com

BMT Fluid Mechanics Limited, 67 Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0JY, UK