Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMIA new method makes it possible to precisely calculate the damage to concrete under heavy loads, including breakage and debris formation. It analyzes individual pieces of debris and precisely determines their trajectories.
Until now, risk analyses that assessed the dangers of concrete debris were based on statistical estimates based on a few large-scale tests. An accurate and reliable numerical prediction tool was not previously available.
Fraunhofer EMI has now developed a method that can accurately simulate the damage, crack growth process and debris formation in concrete. The heterogeneous structure of the concrete is modeled in detail. This allows the formation of the debris to be accurately mapped and compared with real measurement data. In addition, the shape and flight characteristics of the debris can now also be determined, which leads to more accurate calculations of their trajectories.
This new method is particularly important when it comes to safety planning for ammunition depots. In the past, protective distances were often conservatively calculated and the available space may not have been optimally utilized. With the new method, these distances can now be calculated more precisely.
The method can also help to more accurately identify hazardous areas when explosions occur in or around buildings, helping to minimize the risk to people and equipment. It can also be used in other areas such as the assessment of security risks in the event of accidents involving explosives or terrorist threats.
As the calculations require a lot of computing power, the method has so far been used as a prototype. However, with suitable hardware, it could also be used in the future in the real planning of ammunition depots and other security-relevant areas.
