Determination of the Danger Area under the Effects of the Explosive Shock Wave Angel A. Sarango, Ricardo J. Peralta, and Nestor D. Mejía Department of Earth and Construction Sciences, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Av, Gral, Rumiñahui s/n, Sangolquí 171-5-231B, Ecuador Email: andres_08_03@hotmail.com, ricardop1983.rp@gmail.com, ndmejia1@espe.edu.ec Abstract— Explosives detonation could cause a partial or total destruction of equipment and installations, which in some cases derives in technical staff fatality. The present study aims to define blast wave parameters for spherical explosive in outdoor detonation. To achieve this purpose, a total of 30 blast wave tests were developed in samples of 1kg, 3kg and 5 kg of TNT; the experimental results were compared with standards and handbooks of explosion protection in order to evaluate the damage produced by blast wave effect in equipment, installations and technical professionals. The results reflect a range of safe-zones that varies from 7 m to 300 m according to explosives magnitude, furthermore the results also show the distance at which blast wave provoke lethal injuries. Finally, this research will be applied in further experimental tests related to the controlled demolition of building structural elements, to maximize safety ranges and minimize equipment damage, injuries and fatalities in these events. Index Terms— TNT, shock wave, detonation, incident pressure, security zone I. INTRODUCTION In recent decades, use of explosives has increased in both civil and military scope, on top of that, the operation of this type of materials presents a high probability of structure damage and staff fatalities [1]. To cope with this problem, global organizations and governmental entities have conducted studies about blast wave (i.e. sudden release of large energy amounts in a wave from) produced by explosives detonation (i.e accidentally or intentional cases) to determine infrastructure protection plans and safety standards optimization. The safety parameters are fundamental aspects in detonation processes (i.e. plans and procedure of explosives work) this study aims to reduce the equipment and infrastructure damage, as well as injuries and fatalities of technician staff, due to explosives detonation processes. Similar researches worldwide have established safety parameters for explosives utilization, Manual [2] presents design methods based on experimental development, for protection of facilities intended to develop, test, produce, store, maintain, modify, inspect, demilitarize and destroy explosive materials; as well as, contribute in the process making decision and risk Manuscript received April 11, 2020; revised November 7, 2020. management in safe and effective way. On the other hand DoD [3] developed standards in order to maximize safety ranges for structures and technical staff that are exposed to explosives detonation. Additionally, it establishes processes about the exposure time to detonation effect, the lowest number of technical staff and compatible explosives to safe and efficient operations. Longinow [4] proposed a regulation for infrastructure protection against blast wave, its covers planning, design, construction and evaluation for both existing and new building projects subjected to accidental or intentional explosions. Besides, it includes principles to establish threats, security levels, methodological analysis and tests for explosions. DoD [3] and the International Center for Humanitarian Demining of Geneva [5] section II, detail shock wave effects induced by explosives detonation in infrastructure and technical operators in terms of damage and incidence pressure. This research is based on empirical methods for explosive wave characterization according US Department of Defense [2], which was determine by experimental correlations provided by DoD [3] the technical manual of Kingery and Bulmash [6] which provides shock wave parameters in form of polynomial diagrams and shapes, Swisdak Jr [7] model that establishes the same parameters of Kingery and Bulmash [6] but in this case is used exponential equations, Henrych and Major [8] and Sadovsky [9] models show the polynomial shapes to establish the incidence pressure. Additionally, it was correlated with values established in the Demining [5] by Zipf and Cashdollar [10] and White, Jones [11]; as well as in the DoD [3] through the study conducted by Kinney and Graham [12] , reaching to define the impact and damage caused by the detonation based on shock wave destructive effects on infrastructure, filming equipment and technical personnel. This research aims to define the security parameters, the optimal filming location and safety areas according to explosives magnitude in terms of incidence pressure, these parameters were validated through technical guides and manuals about protection against damage and destruction of infrastructure; morbidity and mortality in humans. 295 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No. 4, November 2020 © 2020 Int. J. Struct. Civ. Eng. Res. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.9.4.295-299