June 2013

The 2013 test series was conducted in conjunction with the Explora Foundation at the Rafael Shdema Firing Range located south of Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. This test series continued the research into the performance of structural and architectural systems under blast loading conditions.

The scope of the 2013 test series was greater than that of the 2012 test series. To complete this larger scope three blast arenas were utilized: a main arena with charges ranging from 500-1000kg of TNT, a glass testing arena with charges ranging from 40-50kg of TNT equivalence, and a fragmentation arena.

There were three tests conducted in the main blast arena. In total five targets were tested. Some targets were tested multiple times during two or more of the main arena tests. The first target was used to investigate the behavior of a historic masonry wall subject to blast loading. The second target tested historic masonry columns. The third target continued the investigation into the effect of blast loading on industrial equipment, using a generator. The fourth target continued the ongoing research at the University of Toronto into blast loading on square hollow structural sections (SHS). Both hollow and concrete-filled elements were tested. The fifth target investigated glass fibre polymer (GRP) columns subject to blast loading. All main arena tests were fully instrumented and the results were recorded using a high-speed data acquisition system.

The glass testing arena consisted of three targets containing a total of seven panes of glass. These tests expanded the research into the applicability of the Glass Failure Prediction Model (GFPM) to blast loading. A total of four tests were conducted to obtain a significant collection of test data to compare to existing models. All targets were fully instrumented, including the use of high speed video cameras.

The third arena tested various configurations of blast resistant materials subject to a close range fragmentation charge.