Modeling environmental effects in the simulation of explosion events

Explosion events from malicious activities produce tremendous losses. The magnitude of these losses is directly tied to the overpressure field generated during the event. This field is dependent on both the explosive charge and the environment in which the event occurs. Environmental factors, such as blast focusing and channeling, greatly alter the damage patterns. A useful tool in investigating and preparing for such events is computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Here, a CFD tool, Computational Explosion and Blast Assessment Model (CEBAM), is tested to determine the accuracy to which environmental effects can be represented. Configurations ranging from long single streets to barricaded buildings are simulated to determine the utility of CFD modeling in predicting the overpressure fields. The CEBAM simulations are found to compare well with the available test data supporting the use of CFD modeling to investigate potential events.