Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study

This paper reports the results from an experimental study on the blast loading of low-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete used for mitigation purpose. A volume fraction of 75 % is considered for the EPS. The effect of the presence of a front plate, attached to the tested EPS concrete sample,...

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Main Authors: H. Ousji, K. Miled, A. Siala, B. Belkassem, D. Lecompte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524011136
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author H. Ousji
K. Miled
A. Siala
B. Belkassem
D. Lecompte
author_facet H. Ousji
K. Miled
A. Siala
B. Belkassem
D. Lecompte
author_sort H. Ousji
collection DOAJ
description This paper reports the results from an experimental study on the blast loading of low-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete used for mitigation purpose. A volume fraction of 75 % is considered for the EPS. The effect of the presence of a front plate, attached to the tested EPS concrete sample, is analysed. Four blast intensities, generated at the end section of an explosive-driven shock tube (EDST), are used. Impulses are between 7.7 and 16 N.s. A small-scale experimental set-up is developed allowing the measurement of the transmitted impulse to an instrumented free-moving rigid plate. This transmitted impulse is quantified with three independent devices: pressure transducers, a high-speed camera (HSC) and an accelerometer. The experimental results show two distinct behaviour patterns of the EPS concrete: (i) crushing, and (ii) pulverization. The use of a front plate leads to a uniform loading on the front section of the specimen and a gradual crushing of the material. Without the presence of a front plate, the specimen is immediately exposed to the blast wave, leading to a pulverization process which allows an impulse reduction by 50 %.
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series Case Studies in Construction Materials
spelling doaj-art-92350ffa117f422080c675c948d422452024-12-02T05:04:54ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952024-12-0121e03962Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental studyH. Ousji0K. Miled1A. Siala2B. Belkassem3D. Lecompte4Military Academy, Fondouk Jedid, Nabeul 8012, Tunisia; Sciences and Technologies for Defence (STD), Military Research Center, Cité Taieb Mhiri, Aouina, Tunis 2045, Tunisia; Corresponding author at: Military Academy, Fondouk Jedid, Nabeul 8012, Tunisia.Université Tunis El Manar, Ecole Nationale d’ingénieurs de Tunis, Laboratoire de Génie Civil, B.P. 37 Le Belvédére, Tunis 1002, TunisiaSciences and Technologies for Defence (STD), Military Research Center, Cité Taieb Mhiri, Aouina, Tunis 2045, TunisiaMilitary and protective engineering, Royal Military Academy, Av. de la Renaissance 30, Brussels B-1000, BelgiumMilitary and protective engineering, Royal Military Academy, Av. de la Renaissance 30, Brussels B-1000, BelgiumThis paper reports the results from an experimental study on the blast loading of low-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete used for mitigation purpose. A volume fraction of 75 % is considered for the EPS. The effect of the presence of a front plate, attached to the tested EPS concrete sample, is analysed. Four blast intensities, generated at the end section of an explosive-driven shock tube (EDST), are used. Impulses are between 7.7 and 16 N.s. A small-scale experimental set-up is developed allowing the measurement of the transmitted impulse to an instrumented free-moving rigid plate. This transmitted impulse is quantified with three independent devices: pressure transducers, a high-speed camera (HSC) and an accelerometer. The experimental results show two distinct behaviour patterns of the EPS concrete: (i) crushing, and (ii) pulverization. The use of a front plate leads to a uniform loading on the front section of the specimen and a gradual crushing of the material. Without the presence of a front plate, the specimen is immediately exposed to the blast wave, leading to a pulverization process which allows an impulse reduction by 50 %.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524011136Sacrificial claddingBlast mitigationEPS concreteImpulseLow-density brittle foam material
spellingShingle H. Ousji
K. Miled
A. Siala
B. Belkassem
D. Lecompte
Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Sacrificial cladding
Blast mitigation
EPS concrete
Impulse
Low-density brittle foam material
title Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
title_full Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
title_fullStr Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
title_full_unstemmed Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
title_short Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study
title_sort blast mitigation using low density eps concrete an experimental study
topic Sacrificial cladding
Blast mitigation
EPS concrete
Impulse
Low-density brittle foam material
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524011136
work_keys_str_mv AT housji blastmitigationusinglowdensityepsconcreteanexperimentalstudy
AT kmiled blastmitigationusinglowdensityepsconcreteanexperimentalstudy
AT asiala blastmitigationusinglowdensityepsconcreteanexperimentalstudy
AT bbelkassem blastmitigationusinglowdensityepsconcreteanexperimentalstudy
AT dlecompte blastmitigationusinglowdensityepsconcreteanexperimentalstudy