Protection Engineering Consultants
completes NCHRP bridge pier field tests
Spring Branch, Texas, March 1 -- Engineers from Protection Engineering Consultants have completed a successful test series as a part of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project on blast-resistant bridge details.
Results of the 1:2 scale explosive test conducted in Yancey, Texas will be used in combination with analysis by Protection Engineering Consultants and the University of Texas to recommend design detail enhancements to highway engineers that will add robustness to bridge piers at nominal cost.
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| Blast Test Figure 1 shows the significant damage to a bridge pier with standard details subjected to a small, localized "satchel" explosive. | Figure 2 shows the greatly reduced damage to a blast-reinforced pier, even when subjected to a large, vehicle-bomb-size explosive. |
About Protection Engineering Consultants
Protection Engineering Consultants provides research, design and consulting services to enhance the physical protection of people, systems and the built environment. Working with government agencies, the design community and industry, PEC brings expertise in multi-hazard assessment and protective design to mitigate blast, ballistic and vehicular impact attacks and accidents. Through the application of established and novel scientific methodologies as well as government and industry best practices, Protection Engineering Consultants helps clients maximize the physical security of plant, property and people while preserving utility and aesthetics.
For additional information, contact:
Kirk Marchand, P.E.
Managing Principal
+1 512 380 1988
kmarchand@protection-consultants.com