Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 16.5
Example of
debris loads due to the
toppling of a chimney
(Sketch by Hochtief IKS)
This statement also holds true for the crash scenarios of heavy commercial aircraft,
because it is irrelevant if the debris is created by the crash of a military aircraft or a
passenger aircraft.
16.3
Jet Fuel Fire
Military aircraft only carry a comparatively small amount of kerosene that can
ignite and combust in a fireball in the case of an impact. The consequences in this
case are relatively minor, however. The concrete structures, so long as they are not
penetrated, can withstand such a fire without any problem. Precautionary measures
are planned for secondary effects. Standards are set forth in the rules and regula-
tions for these measures.
The situation is different in the case of a deliberate forced crash of a large
commercial aircraft. The amount of carried jet fuel is considerable. On impact, a
large part is atomized and directly combusted. A further part is spread over the site.
There is a danger that kerosene pools with significant depths are formed. Depending
on the rate of combustion the effects of the fire can last for a significant amount of
time up to half an hour. So long as no kerosene enters the interior of a building that
is to be protected, however, the concrete structures are able to withstand the effects
