Global response of reinforced concrete framed building under varying blast load pulse shapes

Abstract

Reinforced concrete buildings subjected to explosive loading and their subsequent effects have become a subject of attention in the past few years due to extensive loss of life and severe structural damage. An explosion can occur with various random pressure–time histories known as pulse shapes and these pulse-loading shapes are expected to have significant influence on the dynamic response of structures. This study investigates the response and extent of damage in reinforced concrete framed building under varying blast load pulse shapes. The research involves three major objectives as quantification of blast load and formation of varying pulse shapes, numerical modelling of reinforced concrete building (bare and masonry infilled) with application of blast loads using finite element method and global response evaluation by nonlinear time history analysis. Generally, masonry infill walls are treated as non-structural elements and often ignored in structural analysis and design. This study includes investigating the effect of masonry infill only in the in-plane direction of blast loads with varying pulse shapes. Results show significant damage particularly on the front façade due to concave and half-cycle sine shaped blast pulse shapes. At the same time, the in-plane strength and stiffness of masonry infills have significantly reduced the overall damage in structural components.