# Sitemap

A list of all the posts and pages found on the site. For you robots out there is an XML version available for digesting as well.

## Estimation of Temperature and Pressure of a Constant Volume Propane-Oxygen Mixture

Published:

A recent project required a first-order approximation to determine if an explosive gas mixture would result in a tank rupture. The following analysis done in Python and follows Coopers analysis 1 It provides a reasonable approximation, however it is sensitive to the chemical reaction hierarchy assumed. The jupyter notebook used to perform this analysis is here. Read more

## Determining Fragment and Debris Hazards

Published:

When the United States Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) determines fragment and debris hazards they use a 6-step process based on Technical Paper 12 (TP-12) 1. In summary, this process finds the range $R$ at which there is a probability $p$ of a person with an area $A_T=0.58\,m^2$ $(6.24\,ft^2)$ being struck by a fragment with a mass $m$ and kinetic energy $E_{CR}=58\,ft{\text -} lb\, \left( 79\,J \right)$. The process is, Read more

## Calculating TNT Equivalency for Incident Impulse

Published:

When you are conducting tests on explosives, a common requirement is to determine TNT equivalency. You can determine equivalency using all of the typical blast parameters measured. Peak pressure and impulse are two of the more common methods. Of the two, peak pressure is the simplest. Read more

## Analysis of Incident Overpressure Using Python

Published:

This Jupyter Notebook is a research notebook that I use to analyze incident pressure data from a blast. Table 1 below is the list of the data acquisition (DAC) channels, the distance from the $200:g$ charge and what is being measured. If you are interested in obtaining the python code please go to my Github. Read more

## Analysis of Explosive Magazine Padlock Breaching Techniques

Published in Journal of Physical Security, 2014

A series of lock breaching tests are described in which five sets of standard shackle locks and 4 sets of puck style locks were tested for vulnerability to a Dremel… Read more

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K. (2014). Analysis of Explosive Magazine Padlock Breaching Techniques. Journal of Physical Security, 7(1). https://rbsekurity.com/JPS%20Archives/JPS%207(1).pdf

## Assessment of the Fragmentation and Overpressure Hazards Due to TNT Detonations Inside a Type III Daybox

Published in Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 2016

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K. (2017). "Assessment of the Fragmentation and Overpressure Hazards Due to TNT Detonations Inside a Type III Daybox." Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## Weaponizing Model Aviation Fuel

Published in National Counter Terrorism Center, 2017

Recommended citation: Shelley, T., & McNeill, S. K. (2017). "Weaponizing Model Aviation Fuel." Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## Literature Review of DHS Explosive Chemicals of Interest

Published in U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2017

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K. (2017). "Literature Review of DHS Explosive Chemicals of Interest." Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## IMESAFR Science Panel

Published in 2018 International Explosives Safety Symposium & Exposition, 2018

ATF recommended and sponsored the formation of the Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk (IMESAFR) Science Panel (ISP), which reviews and discusses the technical content of the IMESAFR software, desired future algorithms, and field testing associated with the IMESAFR models. Read more

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K., Hsu, N., Tatom, J., & Evans, W. (2018). The IMESAFR Science Panel. In International Explosives Safety Symposium & Exposition: Explosives Safety & Munitions Risk Management. San Diego, CA: DTIC. https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2018/intexpsafety/McNeillPaper.pdf

## Iron Warrior 4 and Technical Paper 21

Published in 2018 International Explosives Safety Symposium & Exposition, 2018

When presented with the opportunity to “piggy-back” on the Iron Warrior IV test, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked with Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) to sponsor a debris recovery effort. Read more

Recommended citation: Tatom, J. W., McNeill, S. K., & Conway, R. (2018). Iron Warrior 4 and Technical Paper 21. In 2018 International Explosives Safety Symposium & Exposition. San Diego, CA: DTIC. https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2018/intexpsafety/Tatom2Paper.pdf

## Harmonization without Loss

Published in MSIAC 2018 Improved Explosives and Munitions Risk Management Workshop, 2018

In the U.S., the storage of commercial explosives is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE, more commonly known as ATF). Read more

Recommended citation: Tatom, J. W., & McNeill, S. K. (2018). Harmonization without Loss. In MSIAC 2018 Improved Explosives and Munitions Risk Management Workshop. Grandada, Spain: Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center. https://www.msiac.nato.int/news/announcing-the-msiac-improved-explosives-and-munitions-risk-management-iemrm-workshop

## Overpressure and Fragment Analysis of the Inspire 14 Improvised Hand Grenade

Published in Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 2018

Recognizing the role low-explosive powders play in bombings is essential for counter-improvised explosive device (IED) efforts and requires field testing of these powders to assess the hazards. Read more

Recommended citation: Ortel, M., Joa, W., & McNeill, S. K. (2018). "Overpressure and Fragment Analysis of the Inspire 14 Improvised Hand Grenade." Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## Investigation of Shock Propagation in Air from Sheet Explosive

Published in 45th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, 2019

The geometry of an explosive is known to have a fundamental effect on the resulting shock wave propagation. Read more

Recommended citation: Garcia, S., Joa, W., McNeill, S. K., & Johnson, C. E. (2019). Investigation of Shock Propagation in Air from Sheet Explosive. In 45th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. Nashville, TN: ISEE. https://www.isee.org/news/125-conferences/2019-conference/404-technical-papers?start=6

## Explosive Storage Regulations: A Comparison of the American Table of Distances to Quantitative Risk Assessment Methods

Published in Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 2019

In 1914, the Association of Manufacturers of Powder and High Explosives1 published the American Table of Distances (ATD) based on a study of one hundred and seventeen explosions between 1864 and 1914. Read more

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K. (2019). "Explosive Storage Regulations: A Comparison of the American Table of Distances to Quantitative Risk Assessment Methods" Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## Analysis of the Fire and Explosion at the Girard Point Refinery

Published in Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 2019

A fire and subsequent explosion occurred at approximately 4:22am on June 21, 2019… Read more

Recommended citation: McNeill, S. K. (2019). "Analysis of the Fire and Explosion at the Girard Point Refinery: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion." Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Center for Explosives Training and Research, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

## Risk Criteria for Quantitative Risk Assessment

Published in International Society of Explosive Engineers, 2019

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) can be specifically tailored for use by the commercial explosives industry to calculate risk to employees and the public… Read more

Recommended citation: Hoffman, S., & McNeill, S. (2019). "Risk Criteria for Quantitative Risk Assessment"e;. In 46th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. Denver, CO: International Society of Explosives Engineers.