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EIT Demonstration Project and Workshop

Estimation of Concrete Respone Under Varying Confinement

Past Research Projects

Performance of Bulb Tees with Self Consolidating Concrete

Evaluation of Bond Mechanics in Prestressed Concrete Applications

FRP Bridge Decks with RC Parapets

Blast Resistance of a Load Bearing Shear Wall Building

Lehigh@NEES Equipment Site

Reserarch Experinece for Undergraduates

Design of RC Bridge Beam-Column Connections

Response of Waffle Slab Building Systems to Seismic Loads

Blast Resistance Of A Building With Load Bearing Shear Walls

Abstract:
Recent terror events world wide have elevated the consciousness of structural design in response to blast loading. A means of assessing a building’s response to blast loading is relevant and in growing demand. By determining a building’s weakness to blast loads, we can better protect our buildings from terrorist actions, as well as improve designs in future structures. A series of computer based simulations are used to evaluate the structural damage to a building under the load of an exterior truck bomb. The building modeled is a three story, steel frame building with lateral shear wall support. Moment connections at the interior bays allow for spans up to 40 feet. The shear walls are located around the perimeter of the building, and are thereby vulnerable to blast loads. The floor diaphragms are concrete on metal deck, and are supported on the shear walls.

The building details were evaluated to determine its weakest points around the perimeter. Blast loads were predicted through the use of several specialized computer programs, designed to predict initial exterior blast pressures, as well as reflected pressures throughout the interior of the building. Evaluation of the structural components under these loads was performed through a series of single-degree-of freedom approximation methods in conjunction with nonlinear finite element models.

Attention was focused on the potential loss of the main structural components. This includes evaluation for the loss of load bearing components, loss of the floor diaphragm, loss of columns, and the potential for progressive collapse. The weaknesses present in the structural design are assessed, and recommendations for improved detailing are offered.

Research Team:
Clay Naito, Principal Investigator
Katie Payne, Graduate Student Researcher

Publications:
1. Naito, C., "Blast Resistance Research for Hardening and Survivability of Large Strucures," Abstract, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) Technology Workshop, Baltimore, MD, June, 2004.

2. C. J. Naito , M.ASCE, and K. P. Wheaton, "Blast Assessment of Load Bearing Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls," ASCE Practice Periodical On Structural Design And Construction, Submitted June 2005.

Page Last Updated Friday, 24-Jun-2005 18:25:51 EDT