Collapse Behavior of RCC Building under Blast Load

Abstract This investigation deals with the effect of intended explosion to a structural member. Due to such explosion, the load bearing structural member will be damaged and loses its load carrying capacity. This lead to formation of the critical path situation for transfer of load to the adjacent members. The study includes the investigation of critical columns for a 4 storey RCC building with 3×3 bays having longitudinal bay span of 5 m and transverse bay span of 4 m. The building is symmetrical throughout the height. The height of building is 3.5m at each floor except the ground floor of 4 m height. The behavioral changes have been investigated, under critical load path of the building subjected to a sudden collapse of load bearing member. This RCC building is designed as per relevant Indian codes and investigation is carried out considering the load path where maximum behavioral changes occur in terms of displacement, vertical reaction and axial forces after removal of load bearing member due to the blast load. The numerical investigation is carried out using commercially available software STAAD. Pro ® . It is observed that ground floor columns are most critical for load transfer and joint displacement when subjected to blast loading. Further, based on the investigation exterior and interior critical columns are established after the removal of column due to blast load.