Gabion Systems Exposed To Blast Pressure- Experimental Tests To Validate Numerical Simulations – A Cooperation Between Germany and the UK

Recent developments in numerical simulation have enabled the prediction of the various response modes associated with gabion constructions exposed to near and medium field blast loadings. It has been recognised however that detailed quantitative, transiently-measured response data for these simulations is yet to be established. As part of the cooperation in the field of Force Protection Engineering between Germany (WTD 52) and the UK (Dstl) a series of controlled blast tests have been conducted in the LBS (Large Blast Simulator) shock tunnel currently in operation at WTD 52, Germany. The facility was used to load a series of double layer gabion wall units with laboratory-characterised soil fill properties. This paper describes the test procedure and output as well as the use of diagnostics (pressure gauges and high speed video) to transiently measure the wall deformation and air shock response. The modelling method, developed by the UK, is also broadly described together with the material parameters used to characterise the simulations. A comparison is made between the model and tests, with account being made for any discrepancies in the output.