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Volume 4, No 1, 2013
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Research article ISSN 0976 – 4399
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the dynamic response of a space framed structure due to blast load.
An explosion due to blast load can cause devastating damage on the building causing collapse
of entire structure and loss of human life. Studies have been conducted on the dynamic
response of structures to blast load. These studies generally help in enhancing the
understanding of structural behavior to blast load. In this paper an attempt has been made to
use Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SIFCON), a type of FRC with high fiber
content as an alternative material to Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC). SIFCON has high
energy absorption capacity, higher strength and it is highly ductile. Space framed models are
developed and time history analysis is carried out for blast load using the software package
SAP 2000. The properties of SIFCON and RCC are derived from the experiments. The
dynamic characteristics such as fundamental frequency, mode shapes are evaluated. The
displacement time history response of frames with SIFCON and RCC due to blast load is
compared. The results showed that the reduction in the displacement of about 25-30 % is
achieved using SIFCON.
Keyword: Blast load, dynamic Response, RCC, SIFCON, SAP2000, Time History Analysis.
1. Introduction
In the past few years, a structure subjected to blast load gained importance due to accidental
events or natural events. Generally conventional structures are not designed for blast load due
to the reason that the magnitude of load caused by blast is huge and, the cost of design and
construction is very high. As a result, the structure is susceptible to damage from blast load.
Recent past blast incidents in the country trigger the minds of developers, architects and
engineers to find solutions to protect the occupants and structures from blast disasters.
Concrete is the prime building material in construction industry. In the foreseeable future,
there seems to be no alternative to concrete as a construction material. Although strength of
concrete is most important, it is also necessary that the concrete is durable, workable and
provide a good service life. For example, when a structure is subjected to blast load, the
structure should be good enough to protect the building from damage and occupants from
death. This made the engineers to think seriously and to find out the appropriate technology
for improving the performance of concrete subjected to blast load. Increase in demand and
decrease in supply of aggregates for the production of concrete results in the need to identify
new sources of aggregates. SIFCON gains importance because it eliminates the use of coarse
aggregate. SIFCON gained its importance because it is perfect for protecting structures from
explosions, like bombs or industrial accidents, and preventing projectiles from damaging the
structure. To protect the structure from blasting and explosion, SIFCON could be the one
better solution. In 1960's, the analysis of blast load in design of structures was initiated. The
U.S army released a publications for the structures designed to resist accidental explosion.
Philip Esper in 2003 investigated the protection against blast for existing and future structures.
Tests done on the site and numerical analysis were the highlights. He concluded from his
studies that ductile materials absorb strain energy to a significant extent but brittle materials
fail abruptly. Ghani Razagpur et al in 2006 analyzed the RCC panel behavior exposed to blast
load. These panels were retrofitted with glass fiber reinforced polymers. The results indicated
that the glass fiber reinforced polymer is not suitable under all condition and experimental
works can ascertain the strengthening effects better than theoretical study.
Ronald in 2006 investigated the behavior of steel columns subjected to axial and lateral blast
load. The finite element package ABAQUS was used for modeling the structure with
different slenderness and boundary conditions. The blast load applied to the structure was not
uniform. The changes in the displacement time histories and formation of plastic hinge were
noticed. This is due to the changing of axial load [6]. Ngo in 2007 has given an overall view
on the analysis and design of buildings subjected to blast load. This was done to get better
knowledge about blast loads and the dynamic response of the different structural components.
With this study, he concluded the design considerations for adverse events like bomb blasts
or impacts with high velocity.
2. Methodology
3. Theoretical investigation
A three storey space framed building using conventional RCC (M25) and SIFCON is
considered for the investigation. The height of each storey is 3 m. The column size used in
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International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 1 2013
Dynamic response of a space framed structure subjected to blast load
Jayashree.S.M
the building is 300 x 300 mm. The size of the beam is 250 x 450 mm. Slab thickness is 100
mm and thickness of the wall is 230 mm. Seismic weight of the building at each floor is
computed with a live load of 3kN/m2. Considering the building with rigid beams, the spring
constant, k is calculated using the formula 12EI/h3. The material properties are obtained from
the experimental results. The modulus of elasticity of beam specimens with RCC and
different percentages of SIFCON is found individually from the Stress Vs Strain behaviour.
Table 1presents the modulus of elasticity of the beams with various SIFCON ratio. Based on
the flexural behaviour beams, it is found that the 40 % SIFCON showed high flexural
strength and modulus of elasticity [8].
Table 1: Table showing the modulus of elasticity of various beams
Modal analysis has been done manually using the spring constant and seismic mass of each
floor. Eigen values are found for both RCC and SIFCON frames. Using the Eigen values,
natural frequency, circular frequency and the time period are calculated for both the frames.
Figure. 2, 3 and 4 show the comparison of first three modes obtained for RCC and SIFCON.
It can be seen that the mode shapes of both RCC and SIFCON frames show similar behavior.
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Dynamic response of a space framed structure subjected to blast load
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Figure 7 : Figure showing the typical mode shape for RCC frame
Figure 8 : Figure showing the typical mode shape for SIFCON frame
Figure.9 shows the comparison of natural frequencies obtained for RCC and SIFCON frames
analytically. It can be seen that the fundamental frequency of SIFCON is 30 % more than that
of RCC in analytical approach also. Table 2 gives the comparison of fundamental frequency
of RCC and SIFCON frames. It is found that the results are reasonable and difference is
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Dynamic response of a space framed structure subjected to blast load
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around 10 %. The difference may be due to the meshing size of the slab generated in the
model.
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Dynamic response of a space framed structure subjected to blast load
Jayashree.S.M
.
Figure 11: Figure showing the Displacement time history of RCC frame
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International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering
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Dynamic response of a space framed structure subjected to blast load
Jayashree.S.M
5. Conclusion
This study deals with the theoretical and analytical investigation on dynamic response of a
structure subjected to blast loading. Based on the results the following conclusions are drawn.
1. The overall dynamic behavior of SIFCON frame is better than that of RCC frame.
2. The fundamental frequency of SIFCON frame is about 30% more than that of RCC
frame.
3. The reduction in displacement of about 25-30 % is achieved using SIFCON.
4. Reduction in displacement shows the capacity of SIFCON in resisting blast load than
the conventional RCC, thereby minimizes the damage.
6. References
1. Nitesh.N Moon., (2009), Prediction of blast loading and its impact on buildings,
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.
4. Bill Keane and Philip Esper.,(2009), Forensic investigation of blast damage to british
buildings, Proceedings of the ICE - Civil Engineering, pp 4-11.
5. Ghani Razaqpur.A, Ahmed Tolba, Ettore Contestabile ,(2007), Blast loading response
of reinforced concrete panels reinforced with externally bonded GFRP laminates,
Composites: Part B, 38, pp 535–546.
6. Ronald L.S., (2006), Response of wide flange steel columns subjected to constant
axial load and lateral blast load, Civil Engineering Department, Blacksburg, Virginia.
7. Ngo.T, Mendis.P Gupta.P and Ramsay.J, (2007), Blast Loading and blast effects on
structure, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
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