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

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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