Hope College Engineering Department
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Summer 2008
Project Summary

 

Project Title: Study of Pressure Waves from Close-In Blasts
Student Name: Ben Barkel
Student's Home Institution: Hope College
Research Advisor: Dr. Roger Veldman
Source of Support: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF-REU Grant No. PHY-0452206, in part by the Hope College Engineering Department, and by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Understanding the behavior of pressure waves from close-in explosive blasts is essential for predicting the blast response of aircraft structures.  To better understand these waves, the reflected pressures generated by far-field and close-in blasts were measured using commercially available transducers including piezoelectric quartz sensors and piezoresistive carbon gauges.   The effectiveness of these transducers was assessed in order to develop a reliable method of recording reflected pressures at close range.  The sensors were mounted to a rigid steel block and a C4 charge was detonated at various distances above the block.  For far-field blasts, the pressure readings showed the expected sharp rise in pressure followed by an exponential decay.  At close range, the data showed a distinct pressure profile with a less distinct peak.  Quartz sensors have shown promise in recording reflected pressures at close range.  Carbon gauges must be tested further before their effectiveness can be conclusively assessed.


 

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