Explosion Protection—Architectural Design, Urban Planning and Landscape Planning

Abstract

This paper gives first a short overview of some basics of blast wave propagation and blast wave reflection. The reflected overpressure-time history, which is the design load, depends on the shape and geometry of the structures where the blast wave is reflected. It presents some shape studies which show the influence of shaping on the explosion design load. These shape studies include horizontal shapes (e.g. cross section of columns), vertical shapes (e.g. facades) and spatial shapes of buildings. The paper further shows that shrub plantings reduce blast loads. It also discusses the use of flexible materials and constructions and the influence of the urban situation on the design.