Numerical simulation of blast effects on structures at JRC-ELSA

The European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) at JRC Ispra develops, in collaboration with the French CEA, numerical tools for the simulation of fast transient dynamic phenomena in fluid-structure systems, with emphasis on fluid-structure interaction (FSI) phenomena. In recent years these tools have been applied, within the RailProtect project, to study the vulnerability of critical land mass transport infrastructures (train stations, metro stations, carriages) to blast loading from terrorist attacks. The various approaches available for air blast simulations are briefly reviewed: structure only (applied pressure), fluid only, or full FSI. Models for the simulation of the explosive charge are also shortly discussed. Next, mechanisms of blast injury are introduced and a new model allowing the estimation of various risk, ranging from eardrum rupture to death, is presented. Risk maps can be visualized as a function of maximum overpressure and of impulse in each point of the model, and can help safety authorities in taking decisions.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen