TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES - Modeling Techniques

Hinman Consulting Engineers has developed 3-dimensional methods of analyzing explosion effects on structures. Because every structure has unique characteristics, our models are designed to accommodate a variety of geometric shapes, material properties, support conditions, connection details, and dynamic loading conditions. They incorporate material strain hardening, damping and non-linear structural behavior.

Typically we create 3-D graphics and animations to represent window breakage patterns, progressive collapse, and structural element failures for existing and upgraded solutions to visually summarize the benefits of mitigation solutions.

The figure below details the expected window performance of one building during a blast event.

This figure is an example model that would accompany our analysis of an existing airport terminal and its parking configuration. Color-coded bands demonstrate how the TSA security guidelines restrict what types of vehicles can park in specific locations, based on the structural capacity of the terminal building. Typically a rendering like this would be presented with related models that depict how various retrofit options help minimize the parking restrictions.