Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Slab with Aluminum Foam Panels Subjected to Blast Loadings

Abstract

The main objective of the current research work is to investigate the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) slab protected by a composed layer of aluminum foam panel and steel plate. The RC slab and the protection layer were subjected to blast loading. A parametric study was conducted in which a series of numerical simulations of protected and unprotected RC slabs was performed using hydro-code software (i.e. AUTODYN 3D). A set of published experimental tests was used to validate the numerical models proposed. The models were simulated as protected and unprotected RC slabs subjected to different blast loads. In the numerical simulations, the dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete and aluminum foam materials as porous materials were defined utilizing different Equations of State (EOS) and strength models. Time-dependent results of the response of the RC slabs subjected to the blast loads were obtained. The computed results were then utilized to study the efficiency of aluminum foam and steel plate layer to maintain the maximum deflection of the RC slab within its elastic limit.