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The
blast from the detonation of 5 tonnes of explosives.
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HOW
does Defence determine international criteria for the safe handling
and storage of explosives?
By detonating explosives near appropriate buildings.
International and Defence ordnance experts did just that on May
6 when they detonated 5 tonnes of explosives at the Woomera test
range.
Defence Science and Technology Organisation managed the detonation
under a research agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence.
Multiple on-site sensors measured the blast pressure and its impact
on a number of residential and industrial buildings surrounding
ground zero.
Thirteen cameras in protective housings recorded the blast, which
could be seen for 10km.
Trials Manager Major Keith Parker said the trials would obtain
data to help refine the international safety criteria for explosives
storage and handling. “Information gathered from this and previous
trials will enable a comprehensive understanding of the effects
of an ammunition blast and will ensure we maintain the highest
standards of ammunition storage safety,” he said.
The Director of Trials with Corporate Management, Group Captain
Mike Gaspert, said the detonation was not as large as previous
trials, but was more complex. It was also significant because
of the participation of the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany
and Singapore. “Research organisations such as the CSIRO and the
University of Melbourne as well as a number of commercial companies
conducted side experiments to test and measure the impact of an
accidental or deliberate explosion on a variety of building materials,”
GPCAPT Gaspert said.
