Blast Resistance Testing Methods for Underground Structural Components of Fortified Facilities and Protective Shelters Subjected to Buried Artillery Munition Explosions

For conducting defensive operations, serving at checkpoints, and performing other tasks that require safe conditions for military personnel, special structures and other fortification equipment elements are widely used. In recent years, domestic manufacturers have intensified their efforts in developing and producing such structures. However, not all fortified facilities or shelters can provide adequate protection for military personnel and civilians against the effects of munitions. Some of these shortcomings are revealed during testing conducted according to established methodologies. As stated by authors of the article, existing testing methods for fortified facilities and protective shelters have not sufficiently addressed the underground structural components resistance to seismic waves and fragments resulting from the explosion of artillery munition with delayed-action fuses. Neglecting have serious consequences for human safety, as manufacturers often focus more on the protective properties of above-ground elements, assuming that the underground portion is adequately protected by the soil. Existing testing methods require improvement, in particular the development and substantiation of new blast resistance testing methods for underground structural components of fortified facilities and protective shelters subjected to buried artillery munition explosions. The approaches proposed in this article aim to improve the quality and objectivity of evaluating the fortified facilities and protective shelters’ ability to withstand shock waves distributed through the soil, as well as fragmentation fields. The articles’ materials are based on calculations involving one of the most powerful artillery munitions used by Russian troops – the 152 mm НЕ-64 high-explosive shell. The study results consider factors such as the purpose and conditions of fortified facilities and protective shelters use, the НЕ-64 shell characteristics, soil properties, and physical processes that occur following buried artillery munition explosions. The authors propose using these methods during blast resistance testing for underground structural components of fortified facilities and protective shelters.