Several decades after the end of WW2 explosive ordnance, particularly bombs of various types and sizes, are still found repeatedly in the course of construction work. Most of the time these remnants from the period until 1945 can be rendered harmless. Nevertheless, there are always detonations of unexploded bombs and the resulting injuries, sometimes accompanied with loss of life, because there is a lack of basic knowledge related to this very serious danger on the part of the builders in charge (developers; planners; building authorities; geothechnical engineers; construction companies, building authorities). This also results in major economic disadvantages through construction shut-downs, evacuations and – in the event of explosions – building and other damages, from “Leaflet on explosives-free building 2014”.
For the practical activity as an appraiser of the explosive ordnance probing the question of the bomb horizon and the depth of the possible object must be clarified. This is announced by the relevant authorities of the country or determined based on site and the object.
Which probing method is used depends on several factors. Particularly with the expected disruptive influences from foreign bodies in the soil, in/near or under structures with a high metal content possible techniques must be selected individually or in combination.
If an anomaly (explosive) is localized, this must be exposed and retrieved in case of confirmed suspicion.
