About The Project

Sept 2023 – Sept 2026

Project aim

Current experimental approaches do not have the sophistication nor fidelity required to accurately measure blast loading in complex real-world environments. We aim to address this by developing a new experimental capability, MicroBlast, offering a step-change in our ability to perform precision experiments in explosive load quantification. This unique facility will enable rapid, high-rate, high-resolution, multi-parameter measurements of blast loading in complex 3D-printed environments, making use of our newly-acquired stereo ultra-high-speed video cameras, high-speed medium wavelength infra-red camera, and discrete pressure measurements using flush-mounted gauges. See Figure 1.

Programme and methodology 

MicroBlast is formed of three main work packages, each lasting approximately a year: 

1. Capability development – Proof of concept studies; establishing reliable and repeatable experimental techniques, inc. novel processing techniques with stereo ultra-high-speed video 

2. Understanding blast loading in complex environments – To what extent do obstacles influence blast load development. Is this length-scale dependent? Is this deterministic, or chaotic? How much does the load differ from free-field values, and is this predictable? 

3. Data generation – Case study of the 2020 Beirut explosion; development of FREMs to predict loading and structural response/damage from urban explosions; generation of bespoke datasets for city geometries to enable risk-based studies 

Expected benefits 

1. An improved understanding of the mechanisms governing blast-obstacle interaction and blast propagation in cityscapes. 

2. Clear identification of, and the ability to respond to, emerging challenge areas and scientific unknowns in this domain. 

3. FREMs for predicting blast load parameters and structural damage from urban explosions, based on probabilistic techniques and inverse modelling. 

4. A suite of benchmark data for numerical model validation, generated as part of the project. 

5. The ability to generate new, bespoke loading maps from a given blast event in a complex setting. 

6. New experimental techniques relating to small-scale testing and optical tracking of complex, multifaceted shock fronts.