Protective Panels for Bridge Supports

CMI proposes to design, model, and manufacture blast and impactresistant panels for an efficient solution for protecting bridge supports against Light to Medium range IED threats and impact from vehicles, ships, and barges. The proposed solution is an energyabsorbing MicroTrussTM panel that will be retrofitted to bridge supports or pilings with sand between the panel and bridge support to further absorb energy and minimize potential damage to the bridge supports. For Phase I, CMI will demonstrate proof of concept through modeling and subjecting a curved subscale panel approximately 4x4x6, without sand, to a blast event. By using this MicroTrussTM solution, DHS will provide key transportation bridges with a countermeasure designed to limit the damage caused by intentional or accidental incidents involving the bridges piers. When combined with other countermeasures, such as security and surveillance, these lightweight, stateoftheart blastresistant panels will provide a vital part of a multifaceted protection system for the Nations infrastructure.