Abstract
This paper summarizes the findings of two full-scale blasts tests on a steel braced frame structure with composite floor slabs, which are representative of a typical office building. The aim of this research study was to experimentally characterize the behavior of conventionally designed steel braced frames to blast loads when enclosed with conventional and blast-resistant façade. The two tests involved a three-story, steel braced frame with concentrical steel braces, which are designed to resist typical gravity and wind loads without design provisions for blast or earthquake loads. During the first blast test, the structure was enclosed with a typical, non-blast-resistant, curtainwall façade, and the steel frame sustained minimal damage. For the second blast test, the structure was enclosed with a blast-resistant façade, which resulted in higher damage levels with some brace connections rupturing, but the building did not collapse. Observations from the test program indicate the appreciable reserved capacity of steel brace frame structures to resist blast loads.
Highlights
Academic Editors: Christoforos Dimopoulos and Charis J
This paper presents the results of two large-scale blast tests that were conducted to evaluate the response of conventionally designed three-story steel frame buildings to relatively high, long duration blast loads
The frame was enclosed with a conventional curtainwall glazed façade, while for the second blast test, the building was enclosed with a hardened blast-resistant façade
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. A question is raised when existing buildings, especially steel frame structures, are retrofitted with blast-resistant façades to meet physical security requirements as to whether their LFRS should be retrofitted This is true in cases where the LFRS is designed only to resist typical gravity and wind loads with no seismic detailing or blast load considerations. This research study focused on characterizing the behavior of conventional steel structures subjected to relatively high-magnitude, long-duration blast loads that can globally load the building envelope with approximately uniform blast pressures Such blast loads can potentially result in the global sway response of the structure, causing the localized damage of key structural members up to complete collapse.
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