Construction Defence Trial
- Locations Woomera, South Australia
- Client Department of Defence
- Contract Defence Trial 873
- Cost
- Duration June / July 2010
Construction of Hesco Barton structures and covering earthen roof over aluminum decking material.
McMahon Services were contracted to complete continuation activities to Defence Trial 868. The services were requested by the Australian Defence Test and Evaluation Office on behalf of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. The trial was used to demonstrate the suitability of the redesigned Hesco Barton structures for use in a Forward Operating Base Ammunition Store (FOB4AS).
Construction
The structures were built using Hesco Barton containers filled with screened local soil, covered with a 600mm earthen roof over aluminium decking material. Stimulated storage of ammunition was carried out using smaller Hesco bags filled with rocks.
High speed digital cameras were installed to capture evidence of the blast effect and fragmentation on each of the structures.
Post detonation required debris collection. All significant debris was marked, measured, weighed and GPS referenced.
After completion of the debris collection, the site was completely cleaned and returned to its original environmental state.
McMahon Services constructed the Hesco Barlion structure, provided some services to other subcontractors including the instrumentation of high shed conjure provisions and finally clean up the site to the complete satisfaction of the Department of Defence.
Trial Objectives
The construction and trial was conducted at Woomera on Range G, in a section of a prohibited area. The objectives of Defence Trial 873 were as follows;
1. Expose the redesigned FOB4AS to credible detonations of 450kg and 750kg net explosive quantity, Fragmenting munulisms in an ammunition supply point bay
2. Assess the effects of these events on the surrounds modules of protection systems including;
a) Displacement, disformation and acclimation of occuptor modules
b) Displacement, disformation and acceleration of protection systems
c) Blast pressure within and surrounding, the acceptor modules
d) Grater development and ejecta throw
3. Gather data required for the confirmation of current standards as applied in field storage
4. Assess the blast effects with direction around such an event
5. Assess the debris pattern and durity generated
