Performance evaluation of confined dry-stacked block masonry against blast loading

Abstract

The ascendancy of the current spate of home-grown and international terrorism increased the awareness of the possibility of cowardice terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Many buildings in Pakistan and other affected countries in the world, are at continuous risk of terrorist attacks including the buildings of Law Enforcing Agencies (LEA), education and health sectors. The revolution in masonry units has been extended from ordinary masonry units to mortarless interlocking blocks. Keeping in view, the astounding energy-dissipating capacity of dry-stacked block masonry, it was decided to explore the behavior of Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB) masonry against blast loading. Four confined masonry walls and a typical full-scale structure were subjected to blast load at different scale distances. The pressure sensors data, high-speed video, and post-testing inspection of the test’s specimens were assessed for the evaluation of structural performance against shock waves. It has been concluded that the ICEB has sufficient out-of-plane shear capacity against blast loading and the reinforcement detailing of the confining elements plays a vital role in the overall performance of the confined dry-stacked masonry.