9 - Blast protection of buildings using fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites

Abstract

The effect of blast loads on buildings is of relevance to engineers in the context of either blast protection against accidental or malicious explosions or intentional demolition of old buildings, with the former being the focus of this chapter. Explosions in the proximity of vulnerable buildings may cause considerable damage and loss of life. The US Department of State reported that globally in 2007 there were more than 14 000 terrorist attacks, killing more than 20 000 people. As a result there is often a requirement to increase the blast protection of many types of buildings which have typically not been designed to resist an explosion and to include blast protective design into new buildings. This chapter presents an overview of protecting buildings from explosions and then focuses on the use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for this purpose.