Protection Engineering Consultants
awarded
Phase II SBIR for definition of
damage
to
structural components
from internal blast loading
Austin, Texas, September 15 -- Dr. Chuck Oswald and Protection Engineering consultants have been awarded a $750,000 Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to study the response of structural elements when subjected to internal blast loads.
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), under the auspices of the DTRA SBIR Program Manager, has engaged Protection Engineering Consultants to develop algorithms for fast-running engineering models that predict damage levels of structural members subject to the blast environment from high explosives detonated inside a building (i.e., internal explosions). These algorithms will quickly assess building blast damage from internal explosion scenarios associated with terrorist threats, mission planning, and collateral damage analyses.
To accomplish this, Protection Engineering Consultants (PEC) and Applied Research Associates (ARA) will continue to jointly develop the Fast-Running Internal Damage Assessment Methodology (FRIDAM). Phase I SBIR work already completed focused on improving the accuracy and run-times of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) analyses, which is a primary part of the FRIDAM methodology to determine structural component damage. This work will be further commercialized into the VAPO 4.0 vulnerability assessment program during Phase II efforts.
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