Research investigations of overpressure interactions with large surfaces were carried out with a series of small scale experiments. In this study, the overpressure is created by the detonation simulated by means of a soap bubble confining an explosible gaseous mixture.

The characteristics Δp ⁺, t ⁺, Δp ⁻, t ⁻ of both positive and negative phases have been collected from different experimental set-ups. The results are correlated as a function of the reduced radial distance A and of the angle a of the incident shock which allows to take into account implicitly the Regular Reflection [RR], the Mach Reflection [MR] and the Incident Shock [IS]. The characteristics of the pressure signal are discussed according to the angle of the incident shock. By means of least-square polynomials, we characterize the pressure load induced by the flowfield reflection. This load is modeled by means of sine-exponential function including Δp ⁺, t ⁺, t ⁻, and the damping coefficient k. The peak overpressure Δp ⁺ is modeled including the angle a of the incident shock, and the values of k which can be calculated from Δp[t, λ, α] differentiation. The result is that the damping coefficient k appears in a good approach as a function of only reduced radial distance, independent of the angle of the incident shock. The total blast wave impulse is characterized by means of I ⁺, I ⁻, dependent on the α and λ parameters. By the knowledge of the blast loading, using Hopkinson’s similarity law and the equivalent TNT, we can investigate in the yield of one kilotonne of TNT (reference nuclear explosion). Finally, by using the numerous results, pressure and impulse curves are established and they lead to a criterion valid in a wide range for blast damage capability.