Blast mitigation using low-density EPS concrete: An experimental study

This paper reports the results from an experimental study on the blast loading of low-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete used for mitigation purpose. A volume fraction of 75 % is considered for the EPS. The effect of the presence of a front plate, attached to the tested EPS concrete sample, is analysed. Four blast intensities, generated at the end section of an explosive-driven shock tube (EDST), are used. Impulses are between 7.7 and 16 N.s. A small-scale experimental set-up is developed allowing the measurement of the transmitted impulse to an instrumented free-moving rigid plate. This transmitted impulse is quantified with three independent devices: pressure transducers, a high-speed camera (HSC) and an accelerometer. The experimental results show two distinct behaviour patterns of the EPS concrete: (i) crushing, and (ii) pulverization. The use of a front plate leads to a uniform loading on the front section of the specimen and a gradual crushing of the material. Without the presence of a front plate, the specimen is immediately exposed to the blast wave, leading to a pulverization process which allows an impulse reduction by 50 %.