Author(s)

F. A. Maestas

Abstract

The accurate modeling of complex physical events is critical in evaluating measures for designing and protecting human safety. This paper describes current techniques for modelling key aspects of vehicle, building and human response to extreme events. The terrorist act results in high pressure and temperature environments that apply loads over short time durations. Those loads must be accounted for in the design of building structures, protective vehicles and protective safety equipment. Examples associated with designs to mitigate progressive collapse, occupant injury in vehicle roll over and brain injury will be presented. Key aspects of the modelling will be discussed. Engineering models will be the focus of the paper although some finite element techniques will be also provided Keywords: weapon effectiveness, survivability analysis, modeling and simulation, physical security analysis, persona security. 1 Introduction In recent years, physical security and force protection specialists have been obligated to make costly and potentially life-saving decisions regarding blast mitigation strategies associated with equipment, structural designs and retrofits, site planning, and security protocols for increasingly complex environments and in response to increasingly aggressive adversaries. Typically, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have increasingly been the preferred means for terrorists to achieve their objectives. The increased use of both conventional and thermobaric weapons is motivating new and innovative efforts within research, development, and medical communities to offer near- and long-term improvements in vehicle design, structural design and personnel protective gear. Figure 1 merely is a fireball surrounding a vehicle as the result of an IED detonation.

Keywords

weapon effectiveness, survivability analysis, modeling and simulation, physical security analysis, persona security