TOWARDS A SIMPLIFIED AND ECONOMIC APPROACH OF BLAST-RESISTANT DESIGN OF FAÇADE COLUMNS WITH LIMITED STANDOFF DISTANCE

Abstract

Exterior columns are highly susceptible to structural damage in cases of blast attacks and its failure may lead to a progressive collapse of the entire structure. In this study, a three dimensional nonlinear dynamic analysis was carried out on a ten-story reinforced concrete office building designed according to ACI 318, where its exterior columns subjected to blast loading threat. The studied column is subjected to a different weights of (TNT) detonation charges with respect to different standoff distances, the behavior of the columns are evaluated according to UFC 3-340-02 and PDC-TR 06-08. Analysis trials are carried out to estimate a safe and economic column design that can withstand a predefined charge weight and standoff distance. A simplified rational design method based on the numerical results is eventually proposed.