charumathi
Member • Dec 30, 2008
Engineers Against Terrorism
Protection By Structural Design
Terrorism is one of the most challenging battle faced by the International Countries.Buildings are being the main target of terrorists.so taking precautions has become necessary.
· Bomb attacks are commonly aimed at buildings because explosions are quick and easy to execute using readily available materials. For example by driving into targets, they gain more media attention.Therefore the construction and maintainence of buildings should be in such a way such that they provide safe and security.This can reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks and protect the people, regardless of location or profile.
· One way to protect and safeguard buildings against terrorism is to incorporate structural changes. Engineers with expertise in explosion mitigation design can evaluate and recommend structural design requirements so that we can minimize structural damage and improve rescue efforts.
· Existing buildings can be retrofitted and upgraded to reduce the hazards due to destructive explosions.
· The majority of injuries from a destructive explosion are caused by glass breaking into thousands of pellets, with sharp edges flying at near-supersonic speed.This can be eradicated by ensuring anti-shatter films on windows.This is evident in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, where glass lacerations were cited as the major cause of injuries, as anti-shatter films on windows were not installed.In contrast, it was reported that the bombing of the HSBC headquarters in Istanbul on 30 November 2003 had caused minimal injuries because of anti-shatter films.
· To safeguard from breakage of walls and windows, we can limit the localized area and reduce the hazard of flying fragments.
· Blast engineer consultants can help find the right solution to maximize protecting people inside while maintaining the architectural integrity of the buildings, even the historically significant ones, without changing their appearance.These buildings had employed security measures when they were originally built.
· . There are ways to provide protection to a building against a car bomb or hand-carried explosive attack. Limiting access and creating a buffer zone to keep vehicles as far away as practical from the building are key preventative measures since explosive attacks can be less lethal with distance.
· Ultimately, solutions are based on the characteristics of a site or a building. Preventative measures typical for densely populated areas include: closing adjacent streets or eliminating traffic to the building; allowing only authorized vehicles to park near the building; providing anti-ram barriers along the curb; and placing landscaping features, such as fountains and statues, to create a navigational obstacle for vehicles to get to the building.
· One example is the Financial District of London, where during the IRA bombings, truck traffic was monitored and restricted in the area, while roads were deliberately narrowed to limit the size of the vehicle that could drive through the street.
· Buildings with internal courtyards--a style that is indigenous to many cultures in warm climates--are perfect for this purpose as they present a blank wall to the street and face inward instead. This style is consistent with basic security principles and attractive as well. Another design concept is to have an entry pavilion and/or loading dock outside the main building structure.
· Childcare centres, including outdoor playgrounds, should be situated in the most protected location possible. The convenience of placing them near the front entrance for easy drop-off is outweighed by the risk of casualties. It is recommended that the centre should not be situated above, below or adjacent to public lobbies, loading docks or mailrooms. Play areas can be placed on the building roof, as is common practice in Isreal.
It is critical that we take a reasonable, unobtrusive approach to protect organizations and people, because terrorists will have won if we have created an oppressive environment that is inconsistent with the freedoms we strive for.
Terrorism is one of the most challenging battle faced by the International Countries.Buildings are being the main target of terrorists.so taking precautions has become necessary.
· Bomb attacks are commonly aimed at buildings because explosions are quick and easy to execute using readily available materials. For example by driving into targets, they gain more media attention.Therefore the construction and maintainence of buildings should be in such a way such that they provide safe and security.This can reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks and protect the people, regardless of location or profile.
· One way to protect and safeguard buildings against terrorism is to incorporate structural changes. Engineers with expertise in explosion mitigation design can evaluate and recommend structural design requirements so that we can minimize structural damage and improve rescue efforts.
· Existing buildings can be retrofitted and upgraded to reduce the hazards due to destructive explosions.
· The majority of injuries from a destructive explosion are caused by glass breaking into thousands of pellets, with sharp edges flying at near-supersonic speed.This can be eradicated by ensuring anti-shatter films on windows.This is evident in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, where glass lacerations were cited as the major cause of injuries, as anti-shatter films on windows were not installed.In contrast, it was reported that the bombing of the HSBC headquarters in Istanbul on 30 November 2003 had caused minimal injuries because of anti-shatter films.
· To safeguard from breakage of walls and windows, we can limit the localized area and reduce the hazard of flying fragments.
· Blast engineer consultants can help find the right solution to maximize protecting people inside while maintaining the architectural integrity of the buildings, even the historically significant ones, without changing their appearance.These buildings had employed security measures when they were originally built.
· . There are ways to provide protection to a building against a car bomb or hand-carried explosive attack. Limiting access and creating a buffer zone to keep vehicles as far away as practical from the building are key preventative measures since explosive attacks can be less lethal with distance.
· Ultimately, solutions are based on the characteristics of a site or a building. Preventative measures typical for densely populated areas include: closing adjacent streets or eliminating traffic to the building; allowing only authorized vehicles to park near the building; providing anti-ram barriers along the curb; and placing landscaping features, such as fountains and statues, to create a navigational obstacle for vehicles to get to the building.
· One example is the Financial District of London, where during the IRA bombings, truck traffic was monitored and restricted in the area, while roads were deliberately narrowed to limit the size of the vehicle that could drive through the street.
· Buildings with internal courtyards--a style that is indigenous to many cultures in warm climates--are perfect for this purpose as they present a blank wall to the street and face inward instead. This style is consistent with basic security principles and attractive as well. Another design concept is to have an entry pavilion and/or loading dock outside the main building structure.
· Childcare centres, including outdoor playgrounds, should be situated in the most protected location possible. The convenience of placing them near the front entrance for easy drop-off is outweighed by the risk of casualties. It is recommended that the centre should not be situated above, below or adjacent to public lobbies, loading docks or mailrooms. Play areas can be placed on the building roof, as is common practice in Isreal.
It is critical that we take a reasonable, unobtrusive approach to protect organizations and people, because terrorists will have won if we have created an oppressive environment that is inconsistent with the freedoms we strive for.
