ASSESSMENT OF THE BEHAVIOR OF REINFORCED CONCRETE PANELS SUBJECTED TO BLAST LOADS

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the analytical simulation of RC panels subjected to blast loading to exhibit their structural performance. The manuscript presents the effects of changing several design parameters, as geometry and reinforcement ratio, on the structural behavior of RC panels under such extreme dynamic loading. The utilized nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model is first verified by using live explosive (free field) test results. The comparison between analytical and corresponding test results indicated reasonable agreement. Moreover, the analytical model is utilized, considering different threat scenarios and design parameters, to study the influence of each parameter on the response of RC panels under the action of blast loads. More than a thousand nonlinear SDOF models are developed herein, considering a number of panel characteristics. In general, the outcome of this study indicates that RC panels designed in accordance to the current Egyptian code of practice may withstand substantial blast load levels with different extents of damage depends on their characteristics and applied threat level. The latter observation highlights the importance of considering multi-hazard approach when designing RC panels intended to withstand extreme events.