Blast mitigation using FRP retrofitting and coating techniques

Extensive experimental and computational studies have been carried out on survivability of buildings, vehicles, combat helmets etc exposed to various high‐velocity projectiles such as explosives, bullets, sharpenal etc. Such explosive attacks have necessitated the development of protective techniques for mitigation of blast. Retrofitting the above mentioned structures with light weight materials such as fibrous composites, coatings or both seems to be of foremost importance. The present review focuses mainly on experimental techniques reported in last 15 years for blast mitigation. The topics covered include introduction, applications and properties of FRP coatings, types of explosives and other details of charge, testing procedures and performance evaluation of protected structures. Proposed mechanism for improvement in blast mitigation of protected structures has also been discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1389–1402, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers