Blow Stuff Up, Indoors

marmaluke writes: "Check out this story at Techtv.com. They built an explosion containment facility at Lawrence Livermore Lab that can take a punch and won't wake up the neighbors. They are going to use it for 'assessing the performance of the non-nuclear, or "primary," component in stockpiled nuclear weapons.' I just think it would be cool to have a little room to blow stuff up in! Anyone got any old PCs that you just don't know what to do with?" Also sounds like a good Dr. No / Dr. Evil unseen-extermination chamber.

Comments

More info

[diegoq]

See LLNL's website for more details.

Interesting that they've gone for a cheaper, more conventional construction. They used conventional reinforced concrete and a rectangular building, over the more blast-efficient spherical shape using layered concrete. They are using mild steel over armour plate to halve the cost, yet maintain 85% penetration resistance.

Also, the "of the various blast attenuation systems studied, the least expensive one, a rubber doormat-type material, proved to be the only acceptable option."

Now, do they accept on-line ordering?

Actually...

[Anonymous Coward]

Most major weaponry isnt tested in Nevada, but in New Mexico. They have LANL, Sandia, and White Sands Missile Range. The first nuclear weapon was tested smack dab in the middle of that state.