Overpressure


Overpressure is the pressure caused by a shock wave over and above normal atmospheric pressure. The shock wave may be caused by sonic boom or by explosion, and the resulting overpressure receives particular attention when measuring the effects of nuclear weapons or thermobaric bombs.

Effects

According to an article in the journal Toxicological Sciences,
Blast overpressure, also known as high energy impulse noise, is a damaging outcome of explosive detonations and firing of weapons. Exposure to BOP shock waves alone results in injury predominantly to the hollow organ systems such as auditory, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems.

An EOD suit worn by bomb disposal experts can protect against the effects of BOP.
OverpressureEffects

  • Most buildings collapse except concrete buildings
  • Injuries universal
  • Fatalities occur
  • Residential structures collapse
  • Brick walls destroyed
  • Injuries common
  • Fatalities may occur

    • Calculation for an enclosed space

    Overpressure in an enclosed space is determined using "Weibull's formula":
    where: