The effects of surface explosions on earth structures and subsurface structures are investigated in this experimental research. Model experiments are conducted on a geotechnical centrifuge to simulate conditions of stresses that are comparable to stresses acting on full-scale (prototype) structures. Because of scaling effects on a centrifuge, where a small-scale (1:N) model is subjected to high gravity (N g), the volumetric effects of an explosion scale as N3. This allows experiments, using a relatively small quantity of explosives, to model effects due to large explosions on prototype structures.
Links to webpages on theory and techniques of geotechnical centrifuge modeling
The research is done in collaboration with researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, New York. The experiments are conducted at the Geotechnical Centrifuge Center of RPI, utilizing the 150 g-ton geotechnical centrifuge and associated laboratory facilities. Model preparation is conducted jointly at Manhattan College and RPI.
The original research was funded by the Civil & Mechanical Systems Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER), grant number CMS-0226864, Principal Investigator: Professor Thomas F. Zimmie, Co-Principal Investigator: Professor Tarek Abdoun, both at RPI.
The research conducted by personnel from Manhattan College was funded through a Research Opportunity Award (ROA) provided by the NSF.
Specific conditions studied in this research include:
Earth dams, dikes and levees - by RPI researchers
Subsurface tunnels - by Manhattan College and RPI researchers
Underground pipelines - by Manhattan College and RPI researchers
Manhattan College personnel on this project:
Karl Vamos - Sophomore-level Undergraduate Student, Visiting Research Scholar at RPI (June through August 2004)
Anirban De - Assistant Professor, Visiting Assistant Professor at RPI (June through August 2004)
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