The development and analysis of a mobile explosive containment unit for on-board aircraft protection

This body of work examines the process involved in researching a mobile explosive containment unit for use on board a commercial aircraft. If a device with unknown origin were discovered on board a commercial aircraft an explosive containment unit could be used to dispose of it thereby preventing the passengers and the hardware from incurring any harm. A methodology was developed to help understand and effectively capture the properties of nominal explosives, the detonation pulse, ensuing shock and pressure waves. This methodology was developed with the purpose of mitigating these explosive effects. The information concerning the material properties, shape and sizes of an explosive containment unit were all analyzed to identify one optimal containment unit. This containment unit was utilized extensively in modeling to determine a range of possible materials and reinforcement methods, for reducing the total weight of the unit. Upon optimizing the containment unit numerical analysis was performed on a fuselage section of a narrow body commercial aircraft with the containment unit. The containment unit was successful in arresting the explosion before it was able to cause harm to its surroundings. The success of these containment units proves that the methodology discussed and developed here is capable of rabidly developing and analyzing explosive containment units to fit a wide variety of needs.