All western democracies are now acutely aware of the apocalyptic consequences of a well-orchestrated attack on high-profile government facilities and other related targets. Many of these buildings are historical, ornate, listed and constructed using traditional techniques . Many of the modern retrofitted reinforcement techniques used to protect these structures against terrorist attacks are unsightly, intrusive or inappropriate. However, security specialists are well aware that while there might be little that can be done to defend a
building against an aircraft attack, much can be done to defeat the more traditional car bomb and bullet. The methods available to the structural engineer to strengthen existing structures and provide resistance to the effects of a blast attacks are discussed in this paper.