Probabilistic risk assessment of masonry buildings exposed to improvised explosive devices

Trends in the use of improvised explosive devices against civilian buildings pose a significant challenge to the professionals entrusted with the design of protective measures for blast risk mitigation. The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against civilian targets has been increasing at an alarming rate. Based on the Global Terrorism Database published by Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, the number of incidents worldwide have been mostly decreasing since the 1970's; however, the use of specific types of IEDs has grown exponentially and has become significantly more effective in terms fatality rates. Following the work by Netherton and Stewart two blast events are examined: namely, a vehicle born IED scenario and a laboratory (LAB) scenario. In the LAB scenario, a military grade explosive charge is detonated in front of a single masonry wall under controlled conditions.