Handout 1 - Clemson University

3 Fundamentals of Blast Wave Mechanics
The understanding of blast wave propagation through different media is of utmost
importance in both numerical and experimental aspects of this research effort. The
propagation of a blast wave through media with different acoustic impedances will
result in a proportion of the incoming energy being reflected at the material interfaces,
potentially absorbed by the materials in the form of residual stresses or temperature
increase, while only the remaining proportion will be transmitted. This is the key
feature in most blast mitigation strategies.
3.1 Blast Wavefront Profile and Parameters
Basic concepts regarding blast waves, such as formation techniques, blast profiles,
scaling and physical parameters will be presented in this paragraph.
3.1.1 Introduction to Explosive Driven Blast Waves
The main focus of this research project is the mitigation of explosive driven blast
waves. The term blast wave refers to the pressure wave of finite amplitude which is
generated by a rapid release of energy. Even though explosive driven blast waves can
be generated by a number of sources, as nuclear such explosions or the muzzle blast
from a gun, this research effort will primarily concentrate on waves created by the
chemical reaction of explosive materials.
When an explosive is undergoing decomposition by burning, the reaction is
proceeding at or just above surface the of the solid material layer by layer as each is