ZAPATA’s staff of engineers, scientists, and weapons specialists have successfully executed an array of projects designed to help our customers achieve their research and development objectives. In cooperation with our municipal and institutional partners, ZAPATA can provide the full spectrum of explosive field testing and analytical services.Experimental Capabilities -
Full scale structural load testing
- Full scale blast testing of structures and components (up to 30 lbs net explosive weight)
- Static and dynamic instrumentation for measurement of airblast, structural vibrations, and structural deformations
- Materials testing/characterization
Analytical Capabilities- Simplified SDOF/MDOF software programs
- Static and transient structural analysis (SAP2000)
- Finite element analysis
- Air blast modeling, both simplified and CFD
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Sample Projects
RFID as Detonator - Proof of Concept
ZAPATA was contracted by Powers International and Raytheon to demonstrate that radio frequency identification (RFID) systems could be used as a triggering mechanism for an improvised explosive device. The project provided a proof of concept in support of future work on this newly identified vulnerability. ZAPATA fabricated the triggering mechanism and conducted the full scale field demonstration. Click the link below for videos from the field tests.
Explosive Chamber for Chemical Weapon Destruction
ZAPATA was contracted by the US Army Engineering and Support Center to conduct testing of a novel vapor containment structure for use in the explosive destruction of chemical warfare material. The objective of the test program was to evaluate the performance of the blast chamber at both destroying chemical agents and containing blast generated gases and debris. ZAPATA was able to successfully quantify the performance of the vapor containment structure and provided valuable engineering feedback to the Army.
Shape Charges for Ordnance Destruction
ZAPATA was contracted by the US Army Engineering and Support Center to conduct testing of shaped charge penetrators for use in the destruction of unexploded ordnance. Through the testing program, including multiple shots using a variety of different size shaped charge penetrators and receptor munitions, ZAPATA was able to identify commercially available penetrator charges and associated blasting procedures for use in the safe destruction of unexploded ordnance.
Related Publications
Weggel, David C., Brian J. Zapata, and Michael J. Kiefer. “Properties and Dynamic Behavior of Glass Curtain Walls with Split Screw Spline Mullions.” Journal of Structural Engineering Vol. 133, No 10, 2007.Weggel, David C. and Brian J. Zapata. “Laminated Glass Curtain Walls and Laminated Glass Lites Subjected to Low-Level Blast Loading.” Journal of Structural Engineering Vol. 134, No. 3, 2008. Zapata, Brian J. and David C. Weggel. “Blast Resistant Curtain Wall Subjected to Low-Level Blast Loading.” Proceedings of the 25th International Modal Analysis Conference. February 19-22, 2007 Orlando, Florida. Zapata, Brian J. and David C. Weggel. “Collapse Study of an Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall Building Subjected to Internal Blast Loading.” Journal of the Performance of Constructed Facilities Vol. 22, No. 2, 2008. Zapata, B.J. and D.C. Weggel. “Computational Airblast Modeling of Commercial Explosives.” Tenth International Conference on Structures Under Shock and Impact. May 14-16, 2008, Algarve, Portugal.
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