Blast load resistance capacity of slip-formed load bearing wall panels.

Abstract

This paper presents the performance of slip-formed wall panels, when subjected to explosion loadings. Slip-formed wall panel construction method is a semi-mechanized low-cost rapid construction technique. This method is environmental friendly because it does not involve the use of river sand. It has been successfully introduced into many medium-rise buildings in Sri Lanka. However, it has been understood that different mix proportions of materials give different load bearing capacities. It is becoming more and more useful and relevant as the buildings in Sri Lanka are becoming increasingly vulnerable to damage due to frequent explosions. Damage can occur in different ways, and among them, the sudden pressure variation plays an important role. In this study, a finite element analysis method was used to model the slip formed load bearing wall panels with different material mix proportions. The models were analyzed under several pressure variations representing blast loading and stress-strain in reference to element and time. Then, the failure points were examined with the use of those predicted stress variations combined with the Rankin-failure criterion. The use of the Rankin criterion is justified because the material of wall panels has a brittle behaviour. The results showed that the wall panels have different blast load resisting capacities in reacton to different material proportions.