The objective of this study was to refine and/or develop new demolition techniques which would serve to minimize hazards to the environment in areas where demolition activities are scheduled or are on-going. The objective of the first year's effort was to survey present demolition techniques and provide a vehicle for assuring that the most modern demolition techniques and procedures are described so that the Army might make use of them in developing demolition contracts. The phase of the study reported herein involved (1) determining the general state-of-the-art of the demolition industry regarding techniques and current practices, (2) assessing Army demolition problems as characterized by typical projects, and (3) evolving basic guidelines and optional plans of action to be considered in planning demolition projects. It is concluded from this investigation that current Army policies concerning protection of the environment from demolition operations are in step with broad Federal policies aimed at improving the national level of environmental quality. (Modified author abstract).

Explosion Hazards and Evaluation presents the principles and applications of explosion hazards evaluation. The text is organized into nine chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 discuss the energy release processes which generate accidental explosions, and the resulting development of pressure and shock waves in a surrounding atmosphere. The manner in which the "free-field" waves are modified in interacting with structures or other objects in their paths is discussed in Chapter 3. Structural response to blast loading and non-penetrating impact is covered in two chapters, with Chapter 4 including simplified analysis methods and Chapter 5 including numerical methods. Chapter 6 includes a rather comprehensive treatment of generation of fragments and missiles in explosions, and the flight and effects of impact of these objects. Chapter 7 considers thermal radiation of large chemical explosions. Explosions may or may not cause damage or casualty, and various damage criteria have been developed for structures, vehicles, and people. These criteria are presented in Chapter 8. General procedures for both the postmortem evaluation of accidental explosions and for design for blast and impact resistance are reviewed in Chapter 9. Engineers, scientists, and plant safety personnel will find the book very useful.