All tests are timed and videotaped. Oxyacetylene burn bars and kerrie cables are used to replicate severe thermal attacks. Test wall is perforated by a simulated advanced explosive terrorist attack. Close-in detonation of a heavily cased explosive charge breaches and deforms a test wall. Explosive Testing Physical security hardware is tested using a variety of explosives, including linear-shaped charges, bulk explosives, and satchel charges.
Instrumentation is available to measure stresses and pressures, accelerations, and deformation.
The SwRI test range is capable of testing three pounds of TNT or equivalent charge weights. For U.S. Department of Defense projects, charge weights to 100 pounds of TNT or equivalent are tested at the U.S. Army training facility at Camp Bullis, north of San Antonio. The Institute conducts tests on physical security hardware using advanced explosives identified by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Naval Facilities Command, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. SwRI personnel with DOD security clearances work on classified projects using secure facilities for handling classified tests, data, analysis, and design. Vehicle Impact Testing SwRI uses an inactive runway at nearby Brooks AFB to perform full-scale testing of vehicle barriers.