Experimental and numerical studies on the dynamic response of precast concrete slabs under blast load

Abstract

The blast resistance of precast concrete (PC) slabs was studied by field blast test and numerical simulation. A field blast test of PC slabs under different scaled distances (1, 0.8, and 0.6 m/kg1/3) was conducted, and the incident and reflected overpressures, displacement, and damage distribution of the PC slabs were measured. The results were compared with the test results of ordinary reinforced concrete (RC) slabs at the same scaled distance. The incident and reflected overpressures were consistent with the CONWEP empirical formula, which verified the effectiveness of the blast load in the test. Under the same working condition, the maximum displacement of the PC slabs was greater than that of the RC slabs. Both slab types exhibited bending failure, but their crack distributions were obviously different. The number of cracks of the PC slabs was large, the width was narrow, and the distribution was more uniform. The PC slabs could dissipate the blast shock wave evenly. No obvious cracks were observed in the laminated surface of the PC slabs, thereby meeting the shear resistance requirements. The dynamic response of the PC slabs under blast load was studied using the CONWEP method, and the validity of the finite element (FE) model was verified with the LS-DYNA software.