Design Considerations for Toxic Chemical and Explosives Facilities

Chapter 4

Explosives Storage Structures Richard L. Wight

Downloaded by RUTGERS UNIV on January 11, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: July 20, 1987 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1987-0345.ch004

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: DAEN-ECE-T, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20314-1000

A magazine is a unique structure with special features. Explosive contents are a threat to the magazine's vicinity, and the explosive contents themselves can face various threats. The threat factors led directly into design and construction criteria. The Department of Defense (DOD) uses standardized magazine designs which results in several benefits. A t y p i c a l explosive storage structure, or magazine, appears to be nothing more than an enlarged storm-cellar from a Midwestern farm. Actually, i t i s unique type of structure that incorporates special design considerations. Such a structure w i l l be discussed i n this chapter. Function of Structure The fundamental purpose of any storage structure i s to preserve i t s contents u n t i l needed. Thus the purpose of a magazine i s to preserve explosive material u n t i l needed. The explosive contents must be kept safe, secure, accessible, and usable. In addition, these contents must be a minimal threat to the magazine's v i c i n i t y . Threats to Structure Threats to the magazine's explosive contents also e x i s t , such things as: -theft, -lightning, -penetration of structure by p r o j e c t i l e , -fire, -vandalism, -explosive forces from accident i n neighboring magazine, -corrosion, -water damage, - j a r r i n g or tumbling of storage containers, -rodents, -and environmental d e t e r i o r a t i o n .

This chapter not subject to U.S. copyright Published 1987 American Chemical Society

Scott and Doemeny; Design Considerations for Toxic Chemical and Explosives Facilities ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1987.

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TOXIC CHEMICAL AND EXPLOSIVES FACILITIES

Design Requirements The above paragraphs suggest that the i d e a l magazine should:


-prevent p r o j e c t i l e penetration, -prevent human (and animal) i n t r u s i o n , - r e s i s t blast forces from outside the magazine, - d i r e c t i o n a l i z e forces from an explosion within the structure, -be fireproof and lightning-proof, -be watertight, -provide a stable environment, -provide adequate storage volume i n an e f f i c i e n t arrangement, -and accommodate materials-handling equipment. Construction

Features

When the requirements of the ideal magazine are translated into construction terms, the following features could emerge: -Earth cover. -Structural s h e l l , arch or box. -Concrete headwall and large steel door. -Screened or impassable vents and intrusion-detection system. - S i t i n g so greatest distance to a neighboring magazine i s away from the weakest side, the headwall. -Noncombustible construction and a lightning protection system with a e r i a l s and counterpoise. -Relatively constant temperature and humidity resulting from the earth cover. -Waterproofed surface and drains within the earth cover. -Capability of being b u i l t to various lengths. Figure 1 i s a sketch of a t y p i c a l arch magazine that shows some of the features just l i s t e d . Standardization The DOD owns thousands of explosives storage structures that have been constructed over the past years. Many are s i m i l a r to Figure 1 i n concept. Today t h i s s i m i l a r i t y has been i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z e d and i s called standardization. Standardization has several benefits: -Safety i s known. Most DOD standard designs have been "proof-tested" by exposure of a test structure to the explosive effects of a nearby detonation. The worst-case test condition i s depicted i n Figure 2. -Time i s saved. DOD construction projects involving explosives require special review by the DOD Explosives Safety Board. Standard designs are pre-approved; t h i s saves review time. -Design costs are saved. A l l the designer has to do i s adapt the foundation to the s i t e conditions. The rest of the design need not be touched. -Construction cost are saved. Most explosives storage projects involve several magazines. Repetitive construction of i d e n t i c a l structures i s cost e f f e c t i v e . -Security i s known. The weak points of standard structures against intrusions have been studied, and corrective measures have



S t r u c t u r a l Features of Typical Magazine

Magazine)

Figure 1.

(Weakest Side of


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Figure 3.

Security Features of Magazine S i t e


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T O X I C C H E M I C A L A N D E X P L O S I V E S FACILITIES

From U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Standard Drawing 33-15-74

From U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Standard Drawing 33-15-65

Figure 4.

T y p i c a l Magazine Cross-Sections


4.

WIGHT

91

Explosives Storage Structures

been developed. Figure 3 shows security-related t y p i c a l earth-covered magazine.

features of a

Figure 4 shows the cross-sections of two magazines designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both are standard magazines.


R E C E I V E D March 26,1987


Design Considerations for Toxic Chemical and Explosives Facilities

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