A blast wall is a barrier designed to protect vulnerable buildings or other structures and the people inside them from the effects of a nearby explosion, whether caused by industrial accident, military action, or terrorism.

Effectiveness

Research by Cranfield University Defence Academy, building on earlier work, has shown that blast walls have the following properties:

Types

Permanent blast walls can be made from pre-cast reinforced concrete, or steel sheeting. Various types of moveable blast wall have been manufactured. These include the Bremer wall concrete barriers used in Iraq and Afghanistan by US Armed Forces, and the Concertainers, wire mesh containers filled with sand or soil, which are used by British Armed Forces.