Parametric Studies on Dynamic Analysis of Blast-Loaded Retrofitted RC Columns

Abstract

The majority of public and private facilities, existing today, were not originally designed to withstand blast loads rising from terrorist attacks. Hence, such facilities require effective countermeasures to minimize losses inflicted on property and people in the event of terrorist bombing. Retrofitting of main structural elements is very effective to increase blast resistance. In this paper, comprehensive parametric studies for the dynamic response of blast-loaded RC columns are performed using the proposed nonlinear coupled model and AUTODYN software. Many material and reinforcement parameters are considered in the paper such as concrete compressive strength, steel yield stress, longitudinal steel ratio and transverse stirrups ratio. Blast-loading parameters such as using different explosive weights, changing the stand-off distance of explosion, are also studied. Finally, the retrofitting parameters for blast-loaded columns, such as using different retrofit material types like the Carbon Fiber Reinforcing Polymers (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforcing Polymers (GFRP) and Steel Reinforcing Polymers (SRP) with different thicknesses for each material type, are considered. Important conclusions are drawn for the sensitivity of dynamic response and failure modes of RC columns under blast loading.