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Explosion hazards and evaluation
Journal
of Occupational
Accidents,
5 (1983)
211-216
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
211
Book Reviews Explosion
Hazards and Evaluation by W.E. Baker, P.A. Cox, P.S. Westine, J.J. Kulesz and R.A. Strehlow, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, xxvii + 807 pages, 230 figures, 69 tables, 8 appendices and subject index. US$l59.50 (in U.S.A. and Canada), Dfl. 375.00 (rest of the world), ISBN 0-444-42094-O.
This textbook follows a well-respected series of lecture courses on explosion hazards and a series of reports and “work books” on explosions by the same authors. The lecture notes are prized possessions and the work books not always easily available through libraries, so the appearance of the new text fills a gap in the bookshelf. The main topic, taking up 75 per cent of the text, concerns the damage created by explosions and, in marked contrast to earlier texts, a rigorous mathematical analysis is applied. In the earlier work books the analysis was supported by computer programs, but for the sake of brevity these are now omitted althought all the data for coding the programs is available in the appendices. The text is supported by numerous graphs, tables of results, example problems and references. Damage to structures, deformation, collapse and the trajectory of fragments are all covered, together with the impact of the fragments on various targets. A feature not treated in such detail by other textbooks on unconfined explosions is damage to people by blast pressure and impacts. Whilst blast effects are the more spectacular, thermal radiation effects can be more important in some situations, such as the Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE). The authors show how the size and duration of such a fireball can be estimated and then its effect on household materials and people. Two worked examples illustrate the use of the data in the book. The design calculations for a reinforced concrete wall to withstand blast loading are given and the explosion hazards in a typical large industrial complex are identified. The latter especially will assist those who have the task of investigation following an accidental explosion. In the earlier part of the book, the first 25 per cent, the authors review very briefly the wider topic of explosion hazards, especially those that might be ignitions for an unconfined vapour cloud explosion, and progress to consider the blast wave produced by explosions. To cover such a wide range of topics in so few pages requires careful selection. Errors of omission are an occupational hazard and one is noted. In the section on flame-proof enclosure the authors mention Standards in use in U.S.A. but omit mention of International and European Standards, which are different in many respects.
212
The authors are at their best when writing about the response of structures to shock and impulse loading from explosions. In other sections they have striven for brevity and although all the significant facts are reported some readers might wish for a more detailed exposition. For this they have the guidance of abstracts of the more important references and an extensive bibliography. The general impression is that the book provides a comprehensive review of the ignition and development of accidental vapour cloud explosions and the damage resulting from blast and thermal effects. It is a guide for those who have to predict the consequences of accidents and legislate or design to mitigate those effects. H. PHILLIPS
Occupational Company,
Health, edited by B.S. Levy and D.H. Wegman, Libtle Brown & Boston/Toronto, 1983, 526 pages, Paper Back US$28.25.
“Our primary intent is to present basic information that we believe is valuable to all health professionals. Ultimately, the recognition, treatment, eontrol, prevention and compensation of occupational diseases and injuries must be made as object,ively and compassionately as possible. It should necessariiy he based on good science and medicine and the recognition of the health rights of workers, incIuding the right t,o a safe and healthy workplace. Occu~at~o~a~ Health is intended to contribute to this end.” Thus the authors preface their book, addressed to medical students primarily but intended to be equally of interest to practising physicians and st,udents or practitioners in other health disciplines. Despite there being 55 contributors to this book and some 66 persons having reviewed drafts of the entire work or chapters, the editors have somehow succeeded in producing a book that is reasonably up to date, eminently readable, fairly comprehensive and at a reasonable price. The work is divided into five parts, the first dealing with general concepts and the American scene, Part 2 discusses the recognition and prevention of occupations disease, Part 3 considers hazards in the workplace and their effects, Part 4 goes through each organ system and describes the ethnic minority problems, non-oc~upatiollal medical problems, compensation and disabiiity evaluation. I would recommend it to non-American students: the specifically American subject matter forms a minority of the text and the excellence of the subject matter would make up for the inconvenience of having to look elsewhere for the legal and social insurance information relating to their own country. More than most forms of medical specialisation, Occupational Health has a strong political content. In terms of politics it can be confidently stated that the general tone of this book is not right wing.
of Occupational
Accidents,
5 (1983)
211-216
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
211
Book Reviews Explosion
Hazards and Evaluation by W.E. Baker, P.A. Cox, P.S. Westine, J.J. Kulesz and R.A. Strehlow, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, xxvii + 807 pages, 230 figures, 69 tables, 8 appendices and subject index. US$l59.50 (in U.S.A. and Canada), Dfl. 375.00 (rest of the world), ISBN 0-444-42094-O.
This textbook follows a well-respected series of lecture courses on explosion hazards and a series of reports and “work books” on explosions by the same authors. The lecture notes are prized possessions and the work books not always easily available through libraries, so the appearance of the new text fills a gap in the bookshelf. The main topic, taking up 75 per cent of the text, concerns the damage created by explosions and, in marked contrast to earlier texts, a rigorous mathematical analysis is applied. In the earlier work books the analysis was supported by computer programs, but for the sake of brevity these are now omitted althought all the data for coding the programs is available in the appendices. The text is supported by numerous graphs, tables of results, example problems and references. Damage to structures, deformation, collapse and the trajectory of fragments are all covered, together with the impact of the fragments on various targets. A feature not treated in such detail by other textbooks on unconfined explosions is damage to people by blast pressure and impacts. Whilst blast effects are the more spectacular, thermal radiation effects can be more important in some situations, such as the Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE). The authors show how the size and duration of such a fireball can be estimated and then its effect on household materials and people. Two worked examples illustrate the use of the data in the book. The design calculations for a reinforced concrete wall to withstand blast loading are given and the explosion hazards in a typical large industrial complex are identified. The latter especially will assist those who have the task of investigation following an accidental explosion. In the earlier part of the book, the first 25 per cent, the authors review very briefly the wider topic of explosion hazards, especially those that might be ignitions for an unconfined vapour cloud explosion, and progress to consider the blast wave produced by explosions. To cover such a wide range of topics in so few pages requires careful selection. Errors of omission are an occupational hazard and one is noted. In the section on flame-proof enclosure the authors mention Standards in use in U.S.A. but omit mention of International and European Standards, which are different in many respects.
212
The authors are at their best when writing about the response of structures to shock and impulse loading from explosions. In other sections they have striven for brevity and although all the significant facts are reported some readers might wish for a more detailed exposition. For this they have the guidance of abstracts of the more important references and an extensive bibliography. The general impression is that the book provides a comprehensive review of the ignition and development of accidental vapour cloud explosions and the damage resulting from blast and thermal effects. It is a guide for those who have to predict the consequences of accidents and legislate or design to mitigate those effects. H. PHILLIPS
Occupational Company,
Health, edited by B.S. Levy and D.H. Wegman, Libtle Brown & Boston/Toronto, 1983, 526 pages, Paper Back US$28.25.
“Our primary intent is to present basic information that we believe is valuable to all health professionals. Ultimately, the recognition, treatment, eontrol, prevention and compensation of occupational diseases and injuries must be made as object,ively and compassionately as possible. It should necessariiy he based on good science and medicine and the recognition of the health rights of workers, incIuding the right t,o a safe and healthy workplace. Occu~at~o~a~ Health is intended to contribute to this end.” Thus the authors preface their book, addressed to medical students primarily but intended to be equally of interest to practising physicians and st,udents or practitioners in other health disciplines. Despite there being 55 contributors to this book and some 66 persons having reviewed drafts of the entire work or chapters, the editors have somehow succeeded in producing a book that is reasonably up to date, eminently readable, fairly comprehensive and at a reasonable price. The work is divided into five parts, the first dealing with general concepts and the American scene, Part 2 discusses the recognition and prevention of occupations disease, Part 3 considers hazards in the workplace and their effects, Part 4 goes through each organ system and describes the ethnic minority problems, non-oc~upatiollal medical problems, compensation and disabiiity evaluation. I would recommend it to non-American students: the specifically American subject matter forms a minority of the text and the excellence of the subject matter would make up for the inconvenience of having to look elsewhere for the legal and social insurance information relating to their own country. More than most forms of medical specialisation, Occupational Health has a strong political content. In terms of politics it can be confidently stated that the general tone of this book is not right wing.