Design and test of a blast resistant luggage container

The development and testing of a manufacturing ready blast resistant luggage container is described in three steps. In the first step, design goals and feasibility studies were performed. Design goals were developed from a study of both the factors driving the need for such containers and the requirements of normal operations. These goals were used to develop a general design concept and the criteria for the feasibility studies. These feasibility studies included simple loading and response models, and material selection. These feasibility studies indicated that the design goals could be met by the chosen approach. The second step, development of the first proof of concept prototype was begun. More detailed analyses and component tests were performed. These analyses were complicated by the difficulty of modeling the effects of luggage on the blast loads. Analysis had to be augmented by component tests and detailed inspection of full scale test results. A full-scale prototype was fabricated and tested at the full threat level. Failure was observed at the joints. The joints were redesigned, component tests performed, and a second prototype constructed. Testing of this prototype produced no failure. The third step, production of a successful manufacturing ready prototype was initiated. This prototype was designed to meet all concerns of the prospective end users and be easily manufactured. Due to a change of charge location, a shock hole occurred in this prototype. A new prototype was designed. This was the first prototype to incorporate a blast resistant door. Tests showed the door to be sound, but one extrusion to be under-designed. A final prototype was produced and tested. This prototype survived the test without failure or serious damage.