APT conducts risk assessments for launch systems, explosives, and other inherently hazardous operations. These assessments begin with the standard risk equation:
Risk = Likelihood x Consequence
From this basic equation a specific risk equation is derived in mathematical terms to reflect the scientific and probabilistic situation under assessment.
APT has been successful developing risk equations in use today by:
- Range Commander’s Council
- Most National Ranges
- DoD Explosives Safety Board
- Air Force Safety Center
- US Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety
- Naval Ordnance Center
- Marines Corps Systems Command
- NATO
Specific risk equations have been developed and used for major national programs including NMD, X-34, X-37 and others.
Quantitative Risk Assessments
APT has unique experience and capability in providing explosives quantitative risk assessments (QRAs). APT provides explosives QRAs using APT-developed software tools including Safety Assessment For Explosives Risk (SAFER©), IME Safety Analysis For Risk (IMESAFR©), and Death and Injuries Resulting from Explosions (DIRE©).
SAFER is used to assess the risks to people and buildings at inhabited building distance, public traffic route, and intraline distance scenarios. This model was developed for Government use and includes models for Government facilities and explosives.
IMESAFR is used to assess the risks to people and buildings in and around commercial explosives operations. This model was developed specifically for the commercial explosives industry and includes models for commercial facilities and explosives.
DIRE is a consequence model that is used to analyze the effects and consequences of an explosion by considering overpressure, impulse, building collapse and debris using state-of-the-art modeling.
QRA Capabilities
- Evaluation of High-Risk Scenarios
- Identification of and Minimization of Worst-Case Risks
Protective Construction Design. APT has expertise in the analysis and evaluation of blast effects and development of protective design studies and structural concepts required for compliance with the requirements of UFC 3-340-02, “Design of Structures to Resist Accidental Explosives,” as required by DoD Explosive Safety Regulations. APT uses analytical tools and procedures developed in DDESB Technical Papers, including:
- BLAST EFFECTS COMPUTER (BEC) is a sophisticated airblast prediction tool capable of comprehensive prediction of all airblast parameters required to perform injury, damage, and structural loadings.
- CONBLAST is a suite of software tools that are used to develop internal airblast shock loads, gas pressure loads, fragmentation for evaluation and design of protective designs structures.
