The most potent aspect of any large explosion is its blast overpressures. Not only is this force deadly in and of itself, but the associated ballistic impacts can cause grievous bodily harm and death. This is one of the primary concerns when attempting to reinforce any property that is likely to experience such a threat. Thankfully, there are a number of innovative solutions that have been developed. These will normally center around the protection of windows and the reinforcement of walls and columns. When approaching this from a logistical point of view, simply adding layers of steel and concrete to a structure may prove costly, time consuming and in some cases, it can jeopardize the safety of the building itself (from the sheer weight involved). These factors have been the driving forces behind the development of other technologies such as wire mesh and protective coatings. So, why are these two ideas so very effective at mitigating the effects of blast and fragmentation?
A Solid Solution
Much of the danger from an explosion will come in the form of fragmentation caused by the blast itself. So, it makes sense to equip walls with materials that will limit, if not eliminate, this threat. Wire mesh will allow a wall to retain the bulk of its shape and strength. Also, these wall reinforcement systems will keep larger parts of the wall from breaking away and becoming missies within a building.
Protective spray-on coatings are another option that can be installed easily. The proprietary technology between these coatings will give a wall extra support and much like wire mesh, the surfaces will be less likely to fragment when faced with a pressure wave. Thankfully, these two solutions are easy to implement, can be completed within a short time frame and will not add substantial weight to the structure itself.
Less Fragmentation
Again, the key concept here is to lessen the amount of fragmentation as opposed to eliminate it altogether. Due to the fact that majority of fatalities can be directly attributed to the ballistic effects of fragmentation, it only makes sense that these wall reinforcement systems have already been adopted by countless governments and private organizations.
As this technology continues to advance, we should expect a growing variety of such solutions that will employ an even greater range of materials and metals. It will indeed be interesting to see what the future may hold for blast protection systems.
Wall reinforcement systems can be made to suit a number of unique needs. To learn more of the technical details behind such solutions.
