Response of Curtain Wall Architectural Envelopes to Negative Phase Blast Effects
NIHS has executed the contract for the Response of Curtain Wall Architectural Envelopes to Negative Blast Effects project. Dr. Braden Lusk with the University of Kentucky will be leading this effort. Dr. Lusk is developing architectural envelopes for blast mitigation solutions in typical curtain wall configurations. The target objective of this project is to increase resiliency of Critical Infrastructure by limiting the effects of an explosion near a critical building by creating design options for blast mitigation in curtain wall formats. The most important aspect of this project involves the development and validation of designs to resist the negative phase blast effects associated with large scale blast events.
"Over two years of hard work and preparation are finally bearing fruit! The start of these projects will allow for our research team to advance the technology necessary to create a safer hometown environment. The results oriented program (NIHS) will ensure advances in homeland security objectives while potentially generating some much needed economic growth in Kentucky."
-Dr. Braden Lusk, University of Kentucky
In the photo below, Dr. Braden Lusk
The Challenge
The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.
The Mission
NIHS' mission is to discover, develop and deploy solutions that protect and preserve the critical infrastructure of the nation's communities.
The Institute
NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.
The Strategy
Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.
