Skip to main content

Blast wave interaction with structures: an application of exploding wire experiments

Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design volume 3, pages 337–347 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to build upon prior shock dynamics research to create an improved experimental setup that can be used to better understand the interaction of shock waves with structures. Large-scale blast wave experiments pose a risk to the individuals running the experiments, the surroundings, and the institution funding them. In contrast, small-scale blast experiments are able to decrease the danger and amount of funding needed associated with each experiment while producing valuable data. Simulations of blast wave–structure interaction may, on the other hand, result in extensive computational times and results that need verification. The exploding wire setup used in this research study has been optimized to consistently produce results at a run-time of less than 100 s per experiment. The adaptable exploding wire setup has a discharge voltage range of 10–40 kV. The configuration includes three main components: the driver, the experimental apparatus, and an ultrahigh-speed imaging system. The original makeup of the exploding wire apparatus allows for flexible adjustments of specifications such as initial detonation, shock wave origin, and magnitude in two and three dimensions. A recent advancement in algorithm tracking has allowed for automated detection of the individual shock fronts. In this instance, the exploding wire apparatus was adapted to simulate city-scale explosions in two dimensions, and the results were compared with numerical simulations.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

References

  • Blackmore JT (1972) Ernst Mach; his work, life, and influence. University of California Press, Los Angeles

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fouchier C, Laboureur D, Youinou L, Lapebie E, Buchlin JM (2017) Experimental investigation of blast wave propagation in an urban environment. J Loss Prev Process Ind 49(Part B):248–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hargather MJ, Settles GS (2007) Optical measurement and scaling of blasts from gram-range explosive charges. Shock Waves 17:215–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Held M (1999) Impulse method for the blast contour of cylindrical high explosive charges. Propellants, Explos, Pyrotech 24:17–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henshaw W (2011a) Mappings for overture a description of the mapping class and documentation for many useful mappings. Technical Report: UCRL-MA-132239, Centre for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Henshaw W (2011b) The plotstuff graphics post processor for overture user guide, version 1.00. Technical Report: UCRL-MA-138730, Centre for Applied Scientific Computing Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Henshaw W, Schwendeman D (2003) An adaptive numerical scheme for high-speed reactive flow on overlapping grids. J Comput Phys 191:420–447

    MathSciNet  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henshaw W, Schwendeman D (2006) Moving overlapping grids with adaptive mesh refinement for high-speed reactive and non-reactive flow. J Comput Phys 216(2):744–779

    MathSciNet  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini SHR, Takayama K (1999) Implosion of a spherical shock wave reflected from a spherical wall. J Fluid Mech 530:223–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lakhani E (2018) Design of exploding wire system. Master’s Thesis, University of California, San Diego

  • Mellor W, Lakhani E, Valenzuela JC, Lawlor B, Zanteson J, Eliasson V (2019) Design of a multiple exploding wire setup to study shock wave dynamics. Exp Tech 1–8

  • Overture Website (2012) https://www.overtureframework.org/. Accessed May 2020

  • Qiu S, Eliasson V (2015) Interaction and coalescence of multiple simultaneous and non-simultaneous blast waves. Shock Waves 1–13

  • Rose TA, Smith PD, May JH (2006) The interaction of oblique blast waves with buildings. Shock Waves 16(1):35–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao-Lin L (1954) Cylindrical shock waves produced by instantaneous energy release. J Appl Phys 25(1):54–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith PD, Rose TA (2006) Blast wave propagation in city streets—an overview. Prog Struct Mat Eng 8(1):16–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor G (1950) The formation of a blast wave by a very intense explosion. i. theoretical discussion. Proc R Soc Lond Ser A Math Phys Sci 159–174

  • Togashi F, Baum JD, Mestreau E, Löhner R, Sunshine D (2010) Numerical simulation of long-duration blast wave evolution in confined facilities. Shock Waves 20(5):409–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valger SA, Fedorova NN, Fedorov AV (2017) Mathematical modeling of propagation of explosion waves and their effect on various objects. Combust Explos Shock Waves 53(4):433–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Qiu S, Eliasson V (2013) Quantitative pressure measurement of shock waves in water using a schlieren-based visualization technique. Exp Tech 40:323–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng L, Lawlor B, Katko B, McGuire C, Zanteson J, Eliasson V (2020) Image processing and edge detection techniques to quantify shock wave dynamics experiments. Experimental Techniques: In review

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the US Air Force Research Laboratory under Grant No. FA8651-17-1-004 and the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CBET-1803592 for supporting this study. We would like to acknowledge the UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees program and the Undergraduate Research Scholarship program for their support. The Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Machine Shop was integral in the production of experiment samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0085, USA

    Janelle Coleen A. Dela Cueva, Kevin T. Q. Nguyen, Alexander Westra, Jane Zanteson, Rodrigo Chavez Morales, Benjamin J. Katko, Heng Liu & Veronica Eliasson

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0085, USA

    Lingzhi Zheng, Barry Lawlor, Jorge Nunez & Claire McGuire

Authors
  1. Janelle Coleen A. Dela Cueva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lingzhi Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Barry Lawlor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kevin T. Q. Nguyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alexander Westra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jorge Nunez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jane Zanteson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Claire McGuire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Rodrigo Chavez Morales
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Benjamin J. Katko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Heng Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Veronica Eliasson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Veronica Eliasson.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This study was supported by the US Air Force Research Laboratory under Grant No. FA8651-17-1-004 and the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CBET-1803592.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dela Cueva, J.C.A., Zheng, L., Lawlor, B. et al. Blast wave interaction with structures: an application of exploding wire experiments. Multiscale and Multidiscip. Model. Exp. and Des. 3, 337–347 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-020-00076-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-020-00076-0

Keywords

  • Shock dynamics
  • Shock–structure interaction
  • Schlieren photography
  • Exploding wire
  • Blast wave