Title: Full Scale Blast Testing of Hybrid Barrier Systems

Author(s): N. L. Carey and J. J. Myers

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 281

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-20

Keywords: alternative construction materials, blast mitigation, composite material, concrete barrier, polyurea, reinforced concrete and hybrid barrier systems, vehicle barrier.

DOI: 10.14359/51683617

Date: 12/27/2011

Abstract:
This research investigated the performance of full scale reinforced concrete and hybrid barrier systems coated with plain or discrete fiber-reinforced polyurea during blast testing. The testing was conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) test range at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. This study builds on previous work investigating concrete hybrid construction performance during reduced scale panel blast testing (Tinsley and Myers 2007), reduced scale projectile impact testing (Carey and Myers 2009), and prior vehicle barrier blast testing (Coughlin 2008). Six barriers were constructed and tested to evaluate the performance of conventional and hybrid systems including the use of polyurea coating technology to minimize overall structural damage and debris scatter. The addition of a polyurea coating improved barrier performance and decreased the mass lost after detonation. The addition of E-glass fibers to the elastomeric polyurea coating was evaluated as well, but it was found that it did not enhance the performance of the polyurea coating system significantly. After detonation, all the barriers maintained their integrity sufficiently to prevent vehicle breach through the barrier chain.