Explosive accidents

Introduction. The relevance of reconstructing the scenario of an emergency explosion is due to the direct relationship between the type of explosive phenomenon and the subsequent development of the emergency situation, as well as the final configuration of the destruction. Since the dynamic characteristics of explosive loads demonstrate significant variability, the overall morphology of the destruction will differ according to these parameters. The relevance of the problem is also dictated by the urgent need to improve the methods of predicting the loads resulting from emergency explosions. The observed imperfections in existing methods lead to obtaining only approximate values of the explosive loads that affect capital construction facilities.

Goals and objectives. The purpose of the paper is to identify the key characteristics of emergency explosions that allow for the reconstruction of emergency scenarios and contribute to the improvement of methods for predicting explosive loads, as well as the optimization of measures for preventing accidents.

To achieve this goal, the following objectives were set:

• analysis of emergency situations that occur in industrial and civil construction;
• conducting experimental studies in a small-scale test chamber and a large room.

Methods. Analysis of emergency situations that occur at construction sites. Measurement of overpressure in small-scale experimental chambers and a large room. Processing of experimental data using the MATLAB programme and subsequent analysis of the results.

Results and their discussion. It is shown that in deflagration explosions, which is typical for the vast majority of emergency explosions, the principle of quasi-static overpressure is observed under certain conditions, which imposes certain specific features on the destruction caused by dynamic explosive loads. For large rooms, the principle of quasi-static explosive pressure is violated, which leads to the occurrence of wave phenomena. It was shown that air shock waves accompanying emergency detonation and physical explosions have a lower destructive capacity, which is mainly focused on fragile window glass.

Conclusions. The identified characteristics of accidental explosions make it possible to reconstruct the scenarios of such explosions with the greatest accuracy. The materials presented in the paper can be used in the prediction of explosive loads resulting from various accidents, as well as in the development of measures for the prevention, localization, and elimination of their consequences.

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