Explosive Engineering

College: Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences

This specialized major focuses on scientific principles, engineering practices, and safety protocols related to explosives and explosive systems.

Students explore key areas such as explosive materials, blast physics, explosion effects, safety engineering, and regulatory compliance.

The program emphasizes practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and understanding of safety and ethical considerations.

Graduates are prepared for careers in military engineering, demolition, mining, pyrotechnics, and related industries.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of explosive materials and blast physics.
• Develop skills in designing explosive systems and handling them safely.
• Learn techniques for analyzing explosion impacts and mitigating risks.
• Explore principles of safety engineering and regulatory compliance in explosive operations.
• Understand ethical considerations and safety protocols in explosive engineering.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities in the field of explosive engineering.
• Develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills for engineering projects.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Explosive Engineering
   • An overview of explosive engineering, basic concepts, and historical context.
   • Fundamentals and characteristics of explosive materials.
2. Explosive Materials
   • Principles of explosive materials, including chemical composition, stability, and sensitivity.
   • Techniques for safe manufacturing, storing, and handling of explosive materials.
3. Blast Physics
   • Basics of blast physics, including initiation, propagation, and detonation waves.
   • Techniques for understanding and controlling blasting processes.
4. Explosion Effects and Mitigation
   • Principles of explosion effects, including shock waves, fragmentation, and structural damage.
   • Techniques for analyzing explosion effects and designing mitigation strategies.
5. Safety Engineering
   • Basics of safety engineering, including risk assessment, hazard analysis, and safety protocols.
   • Techniques to ensure safety in explosive operations and emergency response planning.
6. Regulatory Compliance
   • An overview of regulatory compliance, including regulations, standards, and licensing processes for explosives.
   • Techniques to ensure compliance with explosives regulations and standards.
7. Ethical Considerations in Explosive Engineering
   • Principles of ethical considerations, including responsible use, environmental impact, and public safety.
   • Techniques for conducting ethical and responsible explosive engineering practices.
8. Practical Training in Explosive Engineering
   • Real-world explosive engineering experiences, including observations, internships, and hands-on projects in controlled environments.
   • Techniques to apply acquired skills in practical explosive engineering settings.
9. Capstone Project in Explosive Engineering
   • A comprehensive project to apply acquired skills in designing explosive systems, analyzing explosion effects, or ensuring safety protocols.
   • Techniques to deliver a polished and safe explosive engineering project.

Assessment Methods:

• Reports on explosive materials, blast physics analyses, explosion effects studies, safety engineering plans, regulatory compliance reports, ethical considerations papers, practical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, internships.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Explosives Engineering" by Paul W. Cooper.
• "Fundamentals of Explosive Behavior" by Jimmie C. Oxley and J.L. Smith.
• "Blast Effects on Structures" by M J. Baker et al.
• "Safety Engineering: Principles and Practices" by various authors.
• "Regulations and Standards for Explosives" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles. Suitable for students interested in military engineering, demolition, mining, pyrotechnics, and related industries.

Program Duration:

The typical study duration for a bachelor's degree is 4 years, including coursework, projects, practical training, and internships.

Certification:

Graduates can earn a degree in explosive engineering and pursue professional certifications in explosive engineering, safety engineering, or related fields.

Target Audience:

Aspiring military engineers, demolition experts, mining engineers, pyrotechnics experts, and professionals seeking to work in explosive engineering and related industries. This major equips students with the practical, theoretical, and safety skills necessary to excel in explosive engineering, supporting careers in military engineering, demolition, mining, pyrotechnics, and related industries.