Evaluating the behaviour of the RC fences against blast loads

Abstract

This research has presented a numerical study for evaluating the behaviour of the RC Curved and T-Shaped fences against blast loads and improving their blast resistance capacity. This analysis was carried out using the commercial program LS-DYNA which is a general-purpose finite element code for analysing the large deformation dynamic response of structures. The results were evaluated according to the damage and the value of the deformation. Validation has been performed by comparing FE modelling numerical results of a RC fence under blast detonations with available blasting experimental work in literature. RC fences with two different shapes (Curved and T-Shaped) using Normal Strength Concrete (NSC) have been examined against explosive charges. The influence of using Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and CFRP sheets for improving the blast resistance capacity has been investigated. Comparisons of the damage of the RC fences due to the blast waves have been conducted to study the effect of using shear connectors to resist the overturning moment and to study the effect of using CFRP sheets on all sides versus using it on front and back sides only.

6.2 Conclusions From the study carried out through the present research, the following points can be recorded:

1- A comparison of the experimental results of a RC fence conducted by Pantelides et al.17 and the FE modelling results show that a great agreement between the FE analysis results and the test results. The difference between the experimental test and the FE analysis results is 0.428%. The developed FE model accurately predicted the deflection and damage against blast loads.

2- The behaviour of the RC T-shaped fences against blast loads are much better than the behaviour of the RC Curved fences, because of the little damage and the low generation of the debris and fragments under the same quantity of blast with specified distance: