Thickness of Concrete and Steel Front Wall Claddings for Various Blast Pressure in Blast Resistant Buildings

Abstract

Abstract Blast resistant buildings consists various combinations of wall claddings and structural system. Cast-in-place concrete and corrugated steel plates are most common front wall claddings that are being used in the industry. Wall cladding is an important element of the building because this is the first barrier of the building against the blast wave. Its dynamic interaction with the blast wave depends on its geometry, material properties and blast wave parameters. While ductility and fundamental period of vibration are the primary factors which controls the resistance against blast. Wall claddings are attached to the structural system, therefore the blast reactions from the edges are being transferred to the structural system. This reaction is function of ductility and fundamental time period of wall cladding. Construction of concrete front wall needs some flexibility in schedule of the project while corrugated steel plates require higher budgetary demand on the project. Therefore in the present paper, a parametric study being done to calculate thickness of front wall for various blast pressures, duration of blast pressure, reinforcement, span of wall for a simply supported end condition, which is the most common boundary condition in the practice. Ready to use charts are prepared to estimate the quantities in design.