The Engineer’s Response to Terrorism
New Questions and Responsibilities
Joseph Auchter
Matt Ventura
Sladana Lazic
Anita Lazic
Michelle Hood
Daniel Miller
Terrorism: A Rising Threat
September 11, 2001Worldwide revision of engineering prioritiesTerrorism and sabotage enter the equation
Engineering’s New Concerns
Traditional concerns: Mechanical failure Human error Malfunction Natural occurrences
Weather, natural disasters
New issues: Terrorist acts Deliberate sabotage
New Tools and Methods
Risk assessment Help with allocation of limited resources
Work closely with security agencies Courses teach how to evaluate terrorist threat
Information Increased dialogue More careful dissemination
New standards and building codes
Nuclear Power
What if aircraft crashes into a nuclear containment structure?Aircraft engine tests have been conducted
by Sandia National LaboratoriesJet aircraft unlikely to penetrate
containment structures at 550 to 600 mphNuclear power plants have four security
layers
Nuclear Power
What about transportation casks security? full-scale drop from nine meters onto a
target thermal test in which the cask was
engulfed in a 1,475°F fire for 30 min full-scale rail test in which the cask was
smashed into a concrete block at 81 mph
Structures World Trade Center
What went wrong 2/3 of support columns shattered Debris penetrated each building’s core Steel loses strength above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit
Vulnerabilities Floor trusses were flimsy Frame system connections were weak Designed to precise specifications
Structural redundancy
The Pentagon Survived better than expected Features in original design
Made of cast-in-place reinforced concrete Floors made of slab system Supported on spiral-steel-reinforced columns Limited “progressive collapse”
StructuresWhat can be learned Resistance to progressive collapse is critical Fire protection systems need to be in place
– Sabotage– Adequate thresholds– Multiple ignitions
Can buildings be designed to withstand such attacks
Engineers against Terrorism in Aviation
Smart materials that can mend a bullet hole by self-healing
Materials that are “harder to breach, harder to damage, and less susceptible to fire”
Use of improved fuels that are less volatile.
Engineers against Terrorism in Aviation
“Bullet-and-bomb-proofed door” between pilot and cabin“Protective bubble” around national assets“Automatic ground collision avoidance system”New method of Instrument flying called RNP (Required Navigation Performance)
A Map of Power Plants
The United States has five types of power plants
Gas
Coal
Oil
Hydroelectric
Nuclear
The Role of Engineering in Preventing Chemical and
Biological TerrorismChemical and Genetic Engineering Implement new and improved detection mechanisms Develop Faster Decontamination Methods Develop New Vaccines and Anti-Viruses Expand Research on genetic mutations and gene manipulation
Materials Engineering Develop and Improve chemical and biological repellent material Improve Chemical/Biological Agent Shields, Mask, and Air Filtering
Capabilities.
The Role of Engineering in Preventing Chemical and
Biological TerrorismMechanical Engineering Develop faster and more effective anti-biological/chemical weapon
deployment systems and mechanisms. Develop safer storage protection capabilities
Civil Engineering Improve and Expand structures that shield chemical and biological
attacks
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