Buried Explosion Module (BEM): A Method for Determining the Fragment Hazards Due to Detonation of a Buried Munition

摘要

During unexploded ordnance (UXO) remediation operations, ordnance may be found that is deemed unsafe to move. In this case, the ordnance must be destroyed in place. In order to protect the disposal personnel as well as the public, a withdrawal distance from the detonation is enforced. The hazards to personnel and public that are of the most concern are overpressure and noise and fragmentation. For most unexploded ordnance the fragmentation range is much larger than the inhabited building distance (IBD) for overpressure. The Structural Branch of the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH) has developed an analytical method to calculate public and operational personnel withdrawal distances for fragmentation of buried munitions. The method addresses cratering and soil ejecta effects as well as primary fragmentation from the munition. The Structural Branch has developed software to simplify and standardize the calculations to determine the withdrawal distance due to fragmentation and soil ejecta due to the detonation of a buried munition. This software which is called the buried explosion module (BEM) has been incorporated in the Mapping Explosive Safety Hazards (MESH) software. The theory used in the development of the BEM software will be discussed. The software will be outlined and an example presented.