Blast Resisting Structures

Published on 06 May 2021. Written by Vinay Raj

From the past few decades, the need for designing definite important structures to withstand blast loads is acquiring importance due to the increase in terrorist activities. It is also seen that domestic accidents such as the bursting of gas cylinders are also very usual, so there is a requirement to design the structure to minimize the accidental injuries due to the blast. Blast is an obliterate wave of highly compressed air discharged from an explosion. If a structure does not have required strength and ductility it can fail when exposed to blast pressure which often yields flying debris. This debris can cause serious injuries. So, it is essential to demonstrate various strategies for blast response mitigation.

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Science and technology are leading to the creation of adverse weapons. Nowadays, the motto of the attackers is to harm a nation’s integrity, its global market, tourism, etc. which leads to the downfall of the country’s financial system ensuing in the evolution of disaster which leads to conflicts. Few examples for it are an assault on the world trade centre, attack on the Indian parliament, Bombay attack at hotel Taj, etc.

Structural buildings are considered to be attractive targets for domestic and international terrorists because they can bring down the economy of the country and human loss is substantial.  Existing buildings which are not designed for blast loads will undergo damages or might even collapse when subjected to such loadings. Eventually results in the huge human and economic losses. Therefore, the need for explosive resistant buildings is rising and is important for designing such structure. It is very important for engineers to know the difference between the response of buildings to blast and earthquake loadings. Consideration of earthquake loading is rather old, but the blast loading is rather new.

The two primary goals for designing a structure resistant to blast are:

1. To confine the structural damage to an acceptable range
2. The ability of a structure to function after the blast.

The most economical and effective design is to increase the length between the surface of the structure and midpoint of the charge which in technical terms called as the standoff distance. This approach is effective as the blast waves break down swiftly and the blast pressure reduces with an increase in standoff distance. Proper apportioning of mass is the second-factor affecting blast resistance design, if the weight is placed schematically then it results in increased energy absorption when subjected to blast loading.

Requirements:

Knowledge of analyzing and designing Structural members.

Knowledge of Design of Tall building and Seismic design.

Knowledge of any analysis software (Etabs, SAP2000, StaadPro)

Project Implementation:

1. Make the desired structure layout in any structural software.
2. Define material properties.
3. Apply the properties to materials
4. Assign the required loads.
5. Run the Analysis.
6. Check the Design.

Software requirements:

• You will be needing Etabs or any structural software (Evaluation copy can be found on official site)

Advantages:

• Structures withstand more impact loads.
• Structures may get less damage or no damage (in case of the low blast) due to blast loads.
• More safety for residential and office areas where the population will be more.
• Less loss of damage to infrastructure and human being than normal buildings.

Conclusion:

Many attacks are being done mentioning religion, caste, etc. as reasons. Terrorists are attacking the areas with more population and fame places to bring down the economy of the country. So, this type of buildings will have enough scope in the future.

Kit required to develop Blast Resisting Structures:

• etabs

Technologies you will learn by working on Blast Resisting Structures:

• Tall Buildings
• Blast resistant

Any Questions?