Enhancing the Applicability of Blast Modelling and Advice

Architects, construction companies, engineers, owners and occupants seek guidance from providers of protective structure advice to develop a safe and secure built environment. The advice sought forms the basis for practical application of designs to minimise loss of life, assets and functions. This paper considers how advice based on the modelling of explosive effects is provided, specifically in relation to improvised explosive devices. Experience gained through reviewing protective structure advice indicates that, on occasion, the advice proffered does not assist the client and may be detrimental to the client's intentions. The advice may address what the client requested but not what was wanted or needed. The usefulness and hence value of the advice is related to: the specifics of the request, consideration of the client's broader built and operating environments, and limitations of the provider's perspective. This observation paper seeks to identify how the provision of protective structure advice can better assist the client in making effective decisions relating to the protection of structures.