Harold L. Brode

Bio: Harold L. Brode is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Equations of motion & Static pressure. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 517 citations.

Numerical Solutions of Spherical Blast Waves

Abstract: The strong‐shock, point‐source solution and spherical isothermal distributions were used as initial conditions for a numerical integration of the differential equations of gas motion in Lagrangean form. The von Neumann‐Richtmyer artificial viscosity was employed to avoid shock discontinuities. The solutions were carried from two thousand atmospheres to less than one‐tenth atmospheres peak overpressure. Results include overpressure, density, particle velocity, and position as functions of time and space. The dynamic pressure, the positive and negative impulses of both dynamic pressure and static overpressure, positive and negative durations of pressure and velocity, and shock values of all quantities are also described for various times and radial distances. Analytical approximations to the numerical results are provided.

Blast Loading and Blast Effects on Structures - An Overview

Abstract: The use of vehicle bombs to attack city centers has been a feature of campaigns by terrorist organizations around the world. A bomb explosion within or immediately nearby a building can cause catastrophic damage on the building's external and internal structural frames, collapsing of walls, blowing out of large expanses of windows, and shutting down of critical life-safety systems. Loss of life and injuries to occupants can result from many causes, including direct blast-effects, structural collapse, debris impact, fire, and smoke.The indirect effects can combine to inhibit or prevent timely evacuation, thereby contributing to additional casualties. In addition, major catastrophes resulting from gas-chemical explosions result in large dynamic loads, greater than the original design loads, of many structures. Due to the threat from such extreme loading conditions, efforts have been made during the past three decades to develop methods of structural analysis and design to resist blast loads. The analysis and design of structures subjected to blast loads require a detailed understanding of blast phenomena and the dynamic response of various structural elements. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the effects of explosion on structures. An explanation of the nature of explosions and the mechanism of blast waves in free air is given. This paper also introduces different methods to estimate blast loads and structural response.

Blast Wave from a Spherical Charge

Abstract: The blast wave from the detonation of a spherical charge of TNT is described based on results of a numerical calculation. The equations of motion and the equations of state for TNT and for air are described. The pressures, densities, temperatures, and velocities are detailed as functions of time and radius. Space‐time relations and energy and impulse histories are shown. A second shock is seen to originate as an imploding shock following the inward rarefaction into the explosion product gases and a series of subsequent minor shocks are seen to appear in a similar manner, moving out in the negative phase behind the main shock.

Review of the current practices in blast-resistant analysis and design of concrete structures:

Abstract: In contemporary society, industrialization and rising of terrorism threats highlight the necessity and importance of structural protection against accidental and intentionally malicious blast loads. Consequences of these extreme loading events are known to be catastrophic, involving personnel injuries and fatalities, economic loss and immeasurable social disruption. These impacts are generated not only from direct explosion effects, that is, blast overpressure and primary or secondary fragments, but also from the indirect effects such as structural collapse. The latter one is known to be more critical leading to massive losses. It is therefore imperative to enlighten our structural engineers and policy regulators when designing modern structures. Towards a better protection of concrete structures, efforts have been devoted to understanding properties of construction materials and responses of structures subjected to blast loads. Reliable blast resistance design requires a comprehensive knowledge of blast ...