Investigating the blast shielding effect of the Beirut silos

Abstract

The Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, caused extensive destruction and significant casualties, prompting inquiries into its scale and impact on neighboring structures. Speculation arose regarding the role of the nearby port silos in shielding western Beirut from the blast. This study leverages insights from previous research and uses a tailored blast wave propagation model to settle the debate on the silos’ effectiveness in mitigating blast impacts. The analysis challenges prevailing notions: firstly, that the silos offered substantial protection, and secondly, the assumption linking the transient “window” phenomenon in the Wilson cloud to a similar opening in the preceding pressure front. Contrary to expectation, the pressure at the shock front remains continuous, albeit lower on the leeward side behind the silos. Downstream lateral regions experience pressure amplification due to the constructive interference of waves diffracted around the silos, with significant attenuation observed close (10 m) behind them—approximately 12%, 58%, and 2% of free-air values for overpressure, specific impulse, and specific energy, respectively. However, this shielding effect diminishes with distance, with the blast wave intensity largely restored at 450 m. Consequently, the silos’ shadowing effect was limited to nearby port structures and part of the Lebanese navy base, which still incurred severe damage. The lesser impact on western Beirut is attributed to its greater distance from the explosion rather than the silos’ protective influence. These findings suggest a reevaluation of urban disaster mitigation strategies, emphasizing geographical positioning over structural barriers and advocating for a holistic approach to urban resilience.