A general numerical modelling approach to assess the performance of a building subjected to blast loads.

Abstract

Accidental and unintentional explosion events have become a common occurrence in the present world context, hence, presenting a challenge for structural engineers tasked with designing potentially blast-resistant structures. Hence, understanding the structural response to blast loads is crucial for accurate design, often studied using Numerical modelling, which often involves Finite Element Modelling (FEM). However, current FEM methods are complex and costly, limiting their accessibility for day-to-day design works. This study aims to develop a general numerical modelling technique for simulating the behaviour of multi-storey buildings under blast loads. Key blast load parameters for different blast loading scenarios were identified, and reinforced concrete buildings - of varying heights (9 m to 60 m) - consisting of beams, columns, slabs, and shear walls were simulated and analysed using the commercially available Midas Gen software. Blast loads were modelled as dynamic nodal loads on the exposed face of the building. Top floor displacement was taken as the main output of the model. It was observed that the proposed approach is more accurate for far-field blasts than for near-field blasts which resulted in localised effects. The findings of the study yield several practical outputs which can be used in general structural engineering practices involving blast-resistant structures.