Mission

The Center for Explosion Resistant Design (CERD) is an interdisciplinary center whose mission is to serve as a national focus for university-based research to create new knowledge and to improve our understanding of the explosion environment and blast mitigation technology; create new and improved structural designs and strategies for protection from explosions; and transfer the technology through publications, short courses and university degree programs. The Center will partner with other universities, government agencies, industry and consulting firms, to more effectively achieve its mission. 

The Center for Explosion Resistant Design was established in 2000 under the leadership of Dr. Sam A. Kiger, an internationally recognized expert in explosion effects and blast-resistant structural design. Dr. Kiger's pioneering work led to significant advancements in the field and earned him numerous accolades, including being named the Corps’ Researcher of the Year in 1985. Following Dr. Kiger's tenure, Dr. Salim assumed leadership, bringing over 25 years of experience in structural materials and systems evaluation. Under Dr. Salim's guidance, the center continues to conduct groundbreaking research, funded by entities like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Air Force Research Laboratory, to develop innovative designs and strategies for protection against explosions.

CERD Mission includes the following:

• Create new knowledge of explosion environment and blast mitigation technology

• Create improved structural designs and strategies for protection from explosion

• Investigate the correlation between explosion and earthquake-resistant design methodologies

• Technology transfer