Effects of Impulsive Loading on Reinforced Concrete Structures

This paper presents the summary of the work done in civil engineering department, UET Taxila to evaluate reinforced structural elements under impulsive loading. Part of this work has been published elsewhere separately. The experimental work was carried out in the suburbs of Hassan Abdal hills by constructing different wall panels. In this paper a set of four reinforced concrete walls with varying thickness were constructed. These walls were tested with varying explosive loads and scaled distance. Pressure sensors, accelerometers, dynamic strain amplifier, data acquisition board and strain gauges were used to measure air blast and ground shock parameters. Acceleration and the pressure time history at different points are recorded. Empirical relationships have been developed for various blasts loading parameters are compared with the results of previous researchers. In the light of TM 5-855 comparison is made on the basis of air blast and ground shock parameters with the results obtained from Conwep. Detailed analysis of walls subjected to blast loads is carried out using Sap 2000 (Ver. 14). Reinforced concrete wall was designed for blast loading using methodology described in UFC_3_340_02. It is concluded that consideration of air blast and ground shock pressure are important for accurate analysis of structure response of structures.