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	A Conference on Architectural SuretyÒ
	Assuring the Performance of Buildings and Infrastructures
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The Characterization of "Non-Ideal" Explosives

Dr. Van Romero and Pharis E. Williams

New Mexico Tech

ABSTRACT

Understanding the response of structures to blast profiles is critical to successful modeling of structural collapses and the study of mitigation techniques. Integral to any of these analyses is an accurate characterization of the blast profile generated by terrorist devices. Such characterization can be separated into three components: 1) blast (shock) generation within the detonating high explosive, 2) transfer of the shock wave from the reactive components to air and 3) transport of this shock wave in air to the structure. This paper will focus on the intrinsic difference in the blast profile when produced from "non-ideal" (terrorist) explosives as opposed to "ideal" (military) explosives. This intrinsic difference is a consequence of the difference in the energy release mechanisms. The energy release in non-ideal explosives occurs over a longer period of time and results in a significantly different blast profile which, in turn can result in significantly different damage effects. The Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) at New Mexico Tech is executing a program to understand and document these differences as part of its Counter Terrorist Explosives Research (CTEC) initiative.

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