Abstract
Since the events of September 11th, increased attention has been given to the effects of blast loading on structures. Bridges are especially important due to their potentially critical role in the economy and for emergency response. Prestressed concrete highway bridges are very common, representing 11 percent of state bridges nationwide. Yet, very little is known about how prestressed concrete bridges respond to blast loading.A finite element model of a precast, prestressed concrete girder was created and validated with two experimental blast tests. It was found that for an explosive event above or below the girder, numerical and empirical results were consistent.The girder model was expanded to a four-girder, simple-span bridge model. Three different scenarios were examined at the midspan of the bridge: a blast between two girders above the deck, a blast centered on a girder above the deck, and a blast beneath the deck. The two load cases from above resulted in highly localized damage with the possibility for other sections of the bridge to be immediately reopened after the event. Results for the load case from below indicate that the slab will be heavily damaged but the girders will remain intact.
Highlights
Blast resistant design strategies have been reserved for military and government buildings, or for consideration of accidental explosions in chemical facilities
Prestressed concrete girders are commonly used for highway bridges
Approximately 11 percent of all highway bridges are supported with prestressed concrete girders
Summary
Blast resistant design strategies have been reserved for military and government buildings, or for consideration of accidental explosions in chemical facilities. Highway bridges require special consideration because the condition of transportation infrastructure can significantly affect the economy. Prestressed concrete girders are commonly used for highway bridges. Approximately 11 percent of all highway bridges are supported with prestressed concrete girders. Very little research has been done to evaluate the blast performance of prestressed concrete members or the bridges they support. The overall goals of the work described here were (1) to develop and evaluate modeling techniques for simulating the behavior of precast, prestressed concrete girders subjected to blast loading and (2) to apply those techniques to characterize the blast response of typical bridges constructed of those girders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
