Collaborative research with the Institute for High Energy Density, Russian Academy of Sciences, to develop fail-safe construction techniques for protecting buildings from terrorist-type explosions has been established. In the proposed work, a weak sand-cement mixture will be tested to obtain an understanding of blast wave attenuation under simulated terrorist-type explosions, including the determination of blast wave attenuation coefficients. The suggested material is proposed as a granular filler for permanent or temporary barriers used to protect buildings from blast, and as building material. The suggested materials are expected to be broken into small pieces by an explosion to attenuate the more destructive reverberations that would occur in a densely built-up urban environment. Ex-pl oratory experiments will be carried out using different wall thickness and different sand-cement ratios. In addition, a laminated distribution of materials will also be tested that will absorb the blast force and channel the blast to reduce damage to critical areas. This advanced concept is expected to be more effect in multihazard mitigation but at the same time easy to manufacture. The results of this study will form the basis of future proposals to appropriate funding agencies and to commercial enterprises. A numerical model will be developed using the smooth particles hydrodynamics technique that allows the simulation of a shock wave propagating through mixed gas-solid media. The numerical code will be validated by the aforementioned experimental data. Shock wave attenuation and dispersal, and material velocity will be obtained from the numerical simulations. From the numerical code, optimal wall thickness and filler compositions for the maximum wave attenuation will be determined. This phase of the research will provide a new design tool, as well as propose new methodologies for protecting buildings from terrorist-type explosions. The work at UTA will involve testing in a blast simulator, as shown schematically below. This simulator is modified from an existing shock tunnel (see schematic below).

A further effort aims at developing techniques for using shape memory alloys in a structure. Potential spin offs will be the development of advanced construction materials and techniques, and improvements modeling blasts in various media.